Cherenkov photon background for low-noise silicon detectors in space

Manuel E. Gaido; Javier Tiffenberg; Alex Drlica-Wagner; Guillermo Fernandez-Moroni; Bernard J. Rauscher; Fernando Chierche; Darío Rodrigues; Lucas Giardino

doi:10.1117/12.3019241

27 August 2024 Cherenkov photon background for low-noise silicon detectors in space

Manuel E. Gaido, Javier Tiffenberg, Alex Drlica-Wagner, Guillermo Fernandez-Moroni, Bernard J. Rauscher, Fernando Chierche, Darío Rodrigues, Lucas Giardino

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 13103, X-Ray, Optical, and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy XI; 131031P (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019241
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2024, Yokohama, Japan

Conference Poster

Abstract

Future space observatories dedicated to direct imaging and spectroscopy of extra-solar planets will require ultra-low-noise detectors that are sensitive over a broad range of wavelengths. Silicon charge-coupled devices (CCDs), such as EMCCDs, Skipper CCDs, and Multi-Amplifier Sensing CCDs, have demonstrated the ability to detect and measure single photons from ultra-violet to near-infrared wavelengths, making them candidate technologies for this application. In this context, we study a relatively unexplored source of low-energy background coming from Cherenkov radiation produced by energetic charged particles traversing a silicon detector. In the intense radiation environment of space, energetic cosmic rays produce high-energy tracks and more extended halos of low-energy Cherenkov photons, which are detectable with ultra-low-noise detectors. We present a model of this effect that is calibrated to laboratory data, and we use this model to characterize the residual background rate for ultra-low noise silicon detectors in space. We find that the rate of cosmic-ray-induced Cherenkov photon production is comparable to other detector and astrophysical backgrounds that have previously been considered.

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Manuel E. Gaido, Javier Tiffenberg, Alex Drlica-Wagner, Guillermo Fernandez-Moroni, Bernard J. Rauscher, Fernando Chierche, Darío Rodrigues, and Lucas Giardino "Cherenkov photon background for low-noise silicon detectors in space", Proc. SPIE 13103, X-Ray, Optical, and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy XI, 131031P (27 August 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019241

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