Introduction

This chapter describes CCD test package that can be used to check the performance of the CCD detectors used.

In order to ensure the quality of the data delivered by the CCDs on La Silla, ESO run a programme to monitor all CCDs available at the Observatory. In this CCD monitoring programme, for each CCD test for each CCD data is collected on regular intervals. A standard data to check the performance looks like the following one:

• 9 bias frames;
• 16 pairs of flat fields (both of each pair have the same integration time) using a stable light source and with exposure levels ranging from just above bias to digital saturation;
• 9 low-count-level (of order a few hundred electrons per pixel) flat-fields with stable light source;
• one flat-field exposure obtained with 64 rapid shutter cycles;
• 3 30-minute dark images;
• the time taken to read out and display an image.

The quality of the data collected is checked using a number of commands and procedures available in the MIDAS CCDTEST context. Although the composition of the calibration data of the user is most not identical to ESO's test data set, the same CCD commands can still be executed to check the quality of the user's calibration data.

 

• Test Commands
  • TESTBA/CCD
  • TESTFA/CCD
  • TESTTA/CCD
  • TESTD/CCD
  • TESTS/CCD
  • TESTC/CCD