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At least 37 records · Page 2

Fundamental principles of absolute radiometry and the philosophy of this NBS program (1968 to 1971)

A description is given work performed on a program to develop an electrically calibrated detector (also called absolute radiometer, absolute detector, and electrically calibrated radiometer) that could be used to realize, maintain, and transfer a scale of total irradiance. The program includes a comprehensive investigation of the theoretical basis of absolute detector radiometry, as well as the design and construction of a number of detectors. A theoretical analysis of the sources of error is also included.

Geist, J.↗

Results from Source-Based and Detector-Based Calibrations of a CLARREO Calibration Demonstration System

The Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) mission is formulated to determine long-term climate trends using SI-traceable measurements. The CLARREO mission will include instruments operating in the reflected solar (RS) wavelength region from 320 nm to 2300 nm. The Solar, Lunar for Absolute Reflectance Imaging Spectroradiometer (SOLARIS) is the calibration demonstration system (CDS) for the reflected solar portion of CLARREO and facilitates testing and evaluation of calibration approaches. The basis of CLARREO and SOLARIS calibration is the Goddard Laser for Absolute Measurement of Response (GLAMR) that provides a radiance-based calibration at reflective solar wavelengths using continuously tunable lasers. SI-traceability is achieved via detector-based standards that, in GLAMRs case, are a set of NIST-calibrated transfer radiometers. A portable version of the SOLARIS, Suitcase SOLARIS is used to evaluate GLAMRs calibration accuracies. The calibration of Suitcase SOLARIS using GLAMR agrees with that obtained from source-based results of the Remote Sensing Group (RSG) at the University of Arizona to better than 5 (k2) in the 720-860 nm spectral range. The differences are within the uncertainties of the NIST-calibrated FEL lamp-based approach of RSG and give confidence that GLAMR is operating at 5 (k2) absolute uncertainties. Limitations of the Suitcase SOLARIS instrument also discussed and the next edition of the SOLARIS instrument (Suitcase SOLARIS- 2) is expected to provide an improved mechanism to further assess GLAMR and CLARREO calibration approaches. (2016) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

Angal, Amit↗

Means and method for calibrating a photon detector utilizing electron-photon coincidence

An arrangement for calibrating a photon detector particularly applicable for the ultraviolet and vacuum ultraviolet regions is based on electron photon coincidence utilizing crossed electron beam atom beam collisions. Atoms are excited by electrons which lose a known amount of energy and scatter with a known remaining energy, while the excited atoms emit photons of known radiation. Electrons of the known remaining energy are separated from other electrons and are counted. Photons emitted in a direction related to the particular direction of scattered electrons are detected to serve as a standard. Each of the electrons is used to initiate the measurements of a time interval which terminates with the arrival of a photon exciting the photon detector. Only the number of time intervals related to the coincidence correlation and of electrons scattered in the particular direction with the known remaining energy and photons of a particular radiation level emitted due to the collisions of such scattered electrons are counted. The detector calibration is related to the number of counted electrons and photons.

Srivastava, S. K.↗

Data Reduction Pipeline for the CHARIS Integral-Field Spectrograph I: Detector Readout Calibration and Data Cube Extraction

We present the data reduction pipeline for CHARIS, a high-contrast integral-field spectrograph for the Subaru Telescope. The pipeline constructs a ramp from the raw reads using the measured nonlinear pixel response and reconstructs the data cube using one of three extraction algorithms: aperture photometry, optimal extraction, or chi-squared fitting. We measure and apply both a detector flatfield and a lenslet flatfield and reconstruct the wavelength- and position-dependent lenslet point-spread function (PSF) from images taken with a tunable laser. We use these measured PSFs to implement a chi-squared-based extraction of the data cube, with typical residuals of approximately 5 percent due to imperfect models of the under-sampled lenslet PSFs. The full two-dimensional residual of the chi-squared extraction allows us to model and remove correlated read noise, dramatically improving CHARIS's performance. The chi-squared extraction produces a data cube that has been deconvolved with the line-spread function and never performs any interpolations of either the data or the individual lenslet spectra. The extracted data cube also includes uncertainties for each spatial and spectral measurement. CHARIS's software is parallelized, written in Python and Cython, and freely available on github with a separate documentation page. Astrometric and spectrophotometric calibrations of the data cubes and PSF subtraction will be treated in a forthcoming paper.

Brandt, Timothy D.↗

Assessment of MODIS On-orbit Polarization Impact on Detector Relative Calibration

The Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) has been maintained its nominal operations since it was launched in December 1999 on Terra and May 2002 on Aqua spacecraft, respectively. MODIS is a scanning radiometer with a two-sided mirror that scans the Earth over an angular range from -55° to +55° off nadir and covers a wavelength range from 0.4 to 14.4 μm in 36 spectral bands. The sensitivity to polarization was fully characterized during prelaunch characterization for each reflective solar band (RSB), detector and mirror side as a function of scan angle. It was observed that while on-orbit polarization sensitivity for Aqua MODIS has been stable over the course of mission, the Terra MODIS polarization sensitivity at a few short wavelengths showed a significant increase near the end of scan angle after a few years in the mission. Our previous study examined the impact of polarization on the measured top-of-atmosphere reflectances obtained over the pseudo-invariant desert sites. There are up to 25% change in gain and 30% seasonal variation in select Terra RSBs due to the increase in polarization sensitivity. In this study, we examine relative changes in the polarization sensitivity of detectors within a band. Results from prelaunch tests indicate that there is a noticeable detector dependent polarization sensitivity and it is expected that such a dependency could change on orbit, particularly for Terra MODIS. Results of this study provide useful information on polarization impact and implementation of the correction algorithm.

MODIS↗

Self-calibrating threshold detector for noisy signals

Single time-shared channel is not seriously affected by temperature and aging. Circuit should also be useful in industrial and consumer equipment. For example, it might be incorporated in telemetry for security systems.

Barnes, J. R.↗

XUV radiometric standards at NBS

The far-UV and XUV detector calibration services at NBS, the properties of the detectors, and the spectrometer calibration facilities at the Synchrotron Ultraviolet Radiation Facility (SURF II) at NBS are described. The method used to calibrate the quantum efficiency of windowless photodiode detectors in the ionization chamber, and the facilities for calibrating photodiodes at various wavelengths are discussed. The cathode and anode of the windowless photodiodes and their operation are examined. Consideration is given to the calculation of spectral irradiance from SURF II; the two stations of the spectrometer facility; the large spectrometer calibration chamber; and sources of error in flux determinations for SURF II.

Ott, W. R.↗

Calibration of radiation detectors in the ultraviolet region between 972 and 2500 A

The development of experimental setups and procedures is considered for calibrating photosensitive devices in the spectral range 1022 to 2500 A for which no direct calibration techniques exist. An indirect technique that uses a sodium salicylate detector calibrated outside this range was developed for use as a secondary standard. The primary standard was a xenon-filled ionization chamber, which is an absolute standard over the wavelength interval 972 to 1022 A. Measurements made by this method were checked at 1470 A with a xenon lamp and at 2537 A with a mercury arc lamp and a 0.5 m blaze monochromator with a grating blazed at 2000 A. The overall accuracy of the measurements was + or - 40 percent or better.

Mcclenahan, J. O.↗

Electron-photon coincidence technique for the absolute calibration of VUV detectors

A method is described whereby VUV photon detectors can be accurately calibrated. This method is illustrated by taking the 58.4-nm transition of He as an example. The technique consists of crossing a monoenergetic electron beam with a beam of He atoms. When inelastically scattered electrons which have excited the 2 1P state are detected in coincidence with the 58.4-nm photons emitted in the decay of the excited state, the interaction volume formed by the crossed beams constitutes a standard source of photons. By comparing the number of detected coincidences with the predicted number the calibration can be made. A total detector efficiency of 0.024 + or - 0.003 is obtained for a Galileo 4830 channeltron.

Mcadams, R.↗

Performance of Gas Scintillation Proportional Counter Array for High-Energy X-Ray Observatory

A focal plane array of high-pressure gas scintillation proportional counters (GSPC) for a High Energy X-Ray Observatory (HERO) is developed at the Marshall Space Flight Center. The array is consisted from eight GSPCs and is a part of balloon born payload scheduled to flight in May 2004. These detectors have an active area of approximately 20 square centimeters, and are filled with a high pressure (10(exp 6) Pa) xenon-helium mixture. Imaging is via crossed-grid position-sensitive phototubes sensitive in the UV region. The performance of the GSPC is well matched to that of the telescopes x-ray optics which have response to 75 keV and a focal spot size of approximately 500 microns. The detector's energy resolution, 4% FWHM at 60 keV, is adequate for resolving the broad spectral lines of astrophysical importance and for accurate continuum measurements. Results of the on-earth detector calibration will be presented and in-flight detector performance will be provided, as available.

Gubarev, Mikhail↗

Electron-Photon Coincidence Calibration Of Photon Detectors

Absolute and relative detector efficiencies measured. Apparatus uses coincidence-counting techniques to measure efficiency of ultraviolet or vacuum ultraviolet detector at very low radiation intensity. Crossed electron and atomic beams generate photons used to calibrate photon detector. Pulses from electron counter and photon detector(s) processed by standard coincidence-counting techniques. Used to calibrate other detectors or make absolute measurements of incident photon fluxes.

Srivastava, Santosh K.↗

A modular solid state detector for measuring high energy heavy ion fragmentation near the beam axis

A multi-element solid state detector has been designed to measure fluences of fragments produced near the beam axis by high energy heavy ion beams in thick targets. The detector is compact and modular, so as to be readily reconfigured according to the range of fragment charges and energies to be measured. Preamplifier gain settings and detector calibrations are adjustable remotely under computer control. We describe the central detector, its associated detectors and electronics, triggering scheme, data acquisition and particle identification techniques, illustrated by data taken with 600 MeV/u 56Fe beams and thick polyethylene targets at the LBL Bevalac. The applications of this work to space radiation protection are discussed.

NASA Center HQS↗

IONS (ANURADHA): Ionization states of low energy cosmic rays

IONS (ANURADHA), the experimental payload designed specifically to determine the ionization states, flux, composition, energy spectra and arrival directions of low energy (10 to 100 MeV/amu) anomalous cosmic ray ions of helium to iron in near-Earth space, had a highly successful flight and operation Spacelab-3 mission. The experiment combines the accuracy of a highly sensitive CR-39 nuclear track detector with active components included in the payload to achieve the experimental objectives. Post-flight analysis of detector calibration pieces placed within the payload indicated no measurable changes in detector response due to its exposure in spacelab environment. Nuclear tracks produced by alpha-particles, oxygen group and Fe ions in low energy anomalous cosmic rays were identified. It is calculated that the main detector has recorded high quality events of about 10,000 alpha-particles and similar number of oxygen group and heavier ions of low energy cosmic rays.

Biswas, S.↗

Evidence for cyclotron absorption from spectral features in gamma-ray bursts seen with Ginga

New observations by the gamma-ray burst detector on board the Ginga satellite, which has two well-calibrated detectors covering a wide energy range of 1.5 to 375 keV, are reported. The spectral features obtained are consistent with first and second cyclotron harmonics. This finding is taken as strong evidence for the magnetized neutron star model of gamma-ray bursts.

Murakami, T.↗

Suomi NPP VIIRS DNB and RSB M Bands Detector-To-Detector and HAM Side Calibration Differences Assessment Using a Homogenous Ground Target

Near-nadir observations of the Libya 4 site from the S-NPP VIIRS Day-Night Band (DNB) and Moderate resolution Bands (M bands) are used to assess the detector calibration stability and half-angle mirror (HAM) side differences. Almost seven years of Sensor Data Records products are extracted from the Libya 4 site center over an area of 32×32 pixels. The mean values of the radiance from individual detectors per HAM side are computed separately. The comparison of the normalized radiance between detectors indicates that the detector calibration differences are wavelength dependent and the differences have been slowly increasing with time for short wavelength bands, especially for M1-M4. The maximum annual average differences between DNB detectors are 0.77% in 2017 at HAM-A. For the M bands, the maximum detector differences in 2017 are 1.7% for M1, 1.8% for M2, 1.3% for M3, 1.2% for M4, 0.67% for M5, 0.75% for M7, 0.57% for M8, 13% for M9, 0.63% for M10, and 0.66% for M11. The average HAM side A to B difference in 2017 are 0.00% for DNB, 0.22% for M1, 0.17% for M2, 0.15% for M3, 0.09% for M4, -0.07% for M5, 0.02% for M7, 0.01% for M8, 1.4% for M9, 0.01% for M10, and 0.03% for M11. Results for M6 are not available due to the signal saturation and M9 results are not accurate because of the low reflectance from the desert site and the strong atmospheric absorption in this channel. The results in this study help scientists better understand each detector’s performance and HAM side characteristics. Additionally, they provide evidence and motivation for future VIIRS calibration improvements.

SNPP VIIRS↗

Radiometry using synchrotron radiation

It is possible to use synchrotron radiation from electron synchrotrons and electron storage rings as an absolute source, especially in the VUV and soft X-ray regions where other standards are difficult to find. At the NBS, an electron storage ring (SURF-II) has been used to calibrate spectrometers and photometers utilized in solar and aeronomy research and in fusion plasma diagnostics. The radiation incident on these spectrometers can be calculated to uncertainties of 3%, and a technique to exactly determine the number of electrons orbiting in the ring is currently being developed to reduce this uncertainty. Detector calibrations between 5 and 55 nm are routinely performed at SURF-II and transfer standard detectors with 6-10% uncertainties over the range 5-254 nm are supplied.

Saloman, E. B.↗

The 100 micron detector development program

An effort to optimize gallium-doped germanium photoconductors (Ge:Ga) for use in space for sensitive detection of far infrared radiation in the 100 micron region is described as well as the development of cryogenic apparatus capable of calibrating detectors under low background conditions.

Moore, W. J.↗