Cold read-out electronics for a spaceborne infrared camera

✍ Scribed by D Stefanovitch; G Epstein; P Puget; R Knoll; R Picault; Y Carpentier

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1992
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 717 KB
• Volume: 32
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0011-2275
• DOI: 10.1016/0011-2275(92)90061-e

✦ Synopsis

ISOCAM is one of the scientific instruments of the Infrared Space Observatory satellite, to be launched by the European Space Agency in 1993. It is a two-channel infrared camera devoted to astronomical observations. We present the design of the focal plane electronics of the short wave channel of ISOCAM, built around a 32 x 32 InSb charge injection device working at liquid helium temperatures. The selection process of the materials and components (transistors, integrated circuits) for operation at liquid helium temperatures is described, along with the low temperature testing methodology. The proximity electronics implemented in hybrid circuits are described and the results of performance measurements carried out at liquid helium temperatures are presented.