EISSPM: A Sensitive High-Speed Infrared Photon-counting Photometer for Astronomy

Cornell University, Ithaca NY

Investigators

Abstract

9986898 Eikenberry The design and construction of a sensitive high-speed infrared photon-counting photometer for astronomy is proposed. The sensor is an edge-illuminated solid-state photomultiplier (EISSPM) detector. This instrument system will enable new studies not possible with prevous detectors. These include: pulsar emission mechanisms., searches for yung pulsars in the galactic plane and a variety of a periodic high-speed variability of astrophysical sources. The instrument system will satisfy these requirements: sub-microsecond time response to as high as 1 Mega hz, broad-band sensitivity of 1 to 5 microns, high quantum efficiency (40%), and photon counting performance. This instrument package will interface with several existing telescopes to produce high quality, important scientific data.