The effect of radiation-induced traps on the WFIRST coronagraph detectors

Bijan Nemati; Robert Effinger; Richard Demers; Leon Harding; Patrick Morrissey; Nathan Bush; David Hall; Jesper Skottfelt

doi:10.1117/12.2235278

1 August 2016 The effect of radiation-induced traps on the WFIRST coronagraph detectors

Bijan Nemati, Robert Effinger, Richard Demers, Leon Harding, Patrick Morrissey, Nathan Bush, David Hall, Jesper Skottfelt

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9915, High Energy, Optical, and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy VII; 99150M (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2235278
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2016, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

The WFIRST Coronagraph will be the most sensitive instrument ever built for direct imaging and characterization of extra-solar planets. With a design contrast expected to be better than 1e-9 after post processing, this instrument will directly image gas giants as far in as Jupiter's orbit. Direct imaging places high demand on optical detectors, not only in noise performance, but also in the need to be resistant to traps. Since the typical scene flux is measured in millielectrons per second, the signal collected in each practicable frame will be at most a few electrons. At such extremely small signal levels, traps and their effects on the image become extremely important. To investigate their impact on the WFIRST coronagraph mission science yield, we have constructed a detailed model of the coronagraph sensor performance in the presence of traps. Built in Matlab, this model incorporates the expected and measured trap capture and emission times and cross-sections, as well as occurrence densities after exposure to irradiation in the WFIRST space environment. The model also includes the detector architecture and operation as applicable to trapping phenomena. We describe the model, the results, and implications on sensing performance.

Citation Download Citation

Bijan Nemati, Robert Effinger, Richard Demers, Leon Harding, Patrick Morrissey, Nathan Bush, David Hall, and Jesper Skottfelt "The effect of radiation-induced traps on the WFIRST coronagraph detectors", Proc. SPIE 9915, High Energy, Optical, and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy VII, 99150M (1 August 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2235278

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available