Abstract

We describe three classes of modern detector arrays for detection of weak optical signals—traditional CCD photoconverters (CCDs), electron-multiplied CCD photoconverters (EMCCDs), and CMOS photoconverters (CMOS arrays). Specific characteristic properties are provided for each class of detector in terms of functionality, architecture, and photoelectric/operational specifications; this information in turn determines the effectiveness of each detector class for application to a specific instrument. We cite several examples of photodetector arrays currently in production that demonstrate the capabilities of each class of photodetector discussed in this paper.

© 2018 Optical Society of America

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