What is required to get READ Noise <= to 5 e?

[Scott Sutherland]

Posted to CCD-world:
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Hello:

In my applications of CCD detectors to spectroscopy, relatively low
cost CCD's are needed.  We have used Santa Barbara Instrument Group
ST-6 and ST-7 modules and the Hamamatsu C5809 module.  One problem
we are now encountering is the READ NOISE is becoming a factor.  Most
of these systems specify 15-20 electrons of read noise.  I have seen
some of the high cost CCD cameras (e.g. Princeton Instruments, Photometrics)
used in our type of spectroscopy claim less than 5 e read noise.  Some
of these systems run at liquid nitrogen temperatures, if this matters.

What factors affect READ NOISE in the electronics of a CCD module?
If I want a custom module built, does anyone have suggestions as to
what I need to specify to reduce the read noise?  Anticipated operating
temperature for the CCD chip is -30 to -40 deg C (to reduce dark current).


Thanks for any suggestions.

Scott Sutherland
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