Newsletter - 12 February 1992

This is the premier "issue" of an electronic mail newsletter intended
to provide CFHT users with timely information about current detectors
and instruments, as well as articles about future changes to
instrumentation.  Suggestions about the format and content are
welcomed.
 
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CCD News - February 1992
 
The primary thrust in the Detector Group this winter has been to bring the
new CCD controller on line. This instrument will allow faster readouts
and improved CCD control and performance. So far we have successfully operated
3 different CCDs and are nearing completion of a project to operate a
2048x2048 CCD (Lick1) with the new system. If all goes well it will go into
use at the telescope later this month. Work continues on plans to bring
a thinned 1024x1024 21um pixel CCD to CFHT from DAO. Our plans are to 
operate this CCD with the new controller and offer it as soon as it is ready 
early this spring, if all goes well).
 
 
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE CCDS
The devices listed below represent the CCDs now on line at CFHT and will be,
baring catastrophe, available during semester II of 1992. 
 
CCD        A        PS  RR   RN  QE350 QE400 QE600 QE800 QE900  T
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PHX1	512x512	    20	 92   8  .15   .15   .42   .30   .15   t,bc
RCA2	640x1024    15	 68  50  .15   .55   .82   .40   .18   b,nc
RCA4*	640x1024    15 	 68  64  .15   .52   .77   .40   .18   b,w
SAIC1	1024x1024   18  108   8   0      0   .40   .30   .15   t,nc
Lick2**	2048x2048   15	110   9   0     .05  .45   .40   .20   t,bc
A  = Imaging area of CCD array in pixels.
PS = Pixel Size in microns (all pixels are square).
RR = Read Rate in microseconds/pixel (chip to disk/screen).
RN = Read Noise in electrons.
QE = Quantum efficiency at a given wavelength.
T  = Type of CCD; t-thick,front illuminated; b-thin,back illuminated;
bc-blue coating; nc-no coating
* - Both RCA2 and 4 are thinned, backside illuminated CCDS. However, RCA4 is 
physically flatter as it is supported by a thin glass window. This window causes
increasing fringing towards red. RCA4 can not be binned.
**- Lick2 requires special instructions for subarrays - check with CFHT staff
for more information.
 
WORK IN PROGRESS
The following is a list of CCDs that we hope to release for use in the
second semester of 1992. The numbers associated with these device are projected
values (except for A and PS). These should not be taken as absolute.
 
CCD        A        PS  RR   RN  QE350 QE400 QE600 QE800 QE900  T
-------------------------------------------------------------------
JPL1    1024x1024   12 	40  6-8  .15   .15   .45%  .40%  .15   t,bc
SAIC3*  1024x1024   18	92  6-8  .15   .15   .45%  .40%  .15   t,bc
STIS1** 1024x1024   21	40  4-8   0    .15   .75%  .60%  .45   b,?
Lick1   2048x2048   15	60  6-8  .15   .15   .45%  .40%  .15   t,bc
* - This device will directly replace SAIC1, making SAIC1 no longer available.
**- DAO has offered the loan of this device and assistance in getting it
on line.
 
It is likely that SAIC1 will be replaced by SAIC3 by this June (perhaps sooner).
SAIC3 is identical to SAIC1, with the addition of a blue-sensitive coating
and improved cosmetics.
 
Observing plans should be made from the list of devices currently available,
but allow for an upgrade to a better chip if it becomes available.
Of course both the observer and CFHT will need sufficient warning to make
to make such a change (ie long before the start of a run). Contact your 
support astronomer for more information.
 
Christopher Clark
Detector Group
CFHT
 
email: chris@cfht.hawaii.edu
 
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[Possible] Availability of new instruments for Semester 92II
 
- As a goal, CFHT hopes to replace the MARLIN spectrograph by the MOS/SIS
spectrograph during the 92II semester, with the following qualification:
only those capabilities currently available with MARLIN will be provided
with certainty.  Proposals for multiobject spectroscopy should be feasible
with MARLIN and not be dependent on features planned for MOS/SIS.
One example is the fast-guiding capabilities of the SIS - it is not
certain that this will be in full operation before the end of 1992.
 
- Likewise, for coude spectroscopy, proposals submitted should not
DEPEND on capabilities planned for the f/4 spectrograph, such as the
higher resolution provided by the echelle, i.e. the project should definitely
be feasible with the highest resolution mode of the current f/8.2.  Then,
if the f/4 becomes available before the scheduled observing time, it MAY
be offered, but the success of the run and telescope schedule will not 
depend on it.
 
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An announcement about the CFHT facility infrared camera will be
emailed within the next few days!
 
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