8MP e2v CCD Studies Sun Onboard CNES Microsatellite

Photonics Online: e2v CCD was launched into space onboard the CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) microsatellite Picard, on its 2-3 year mission to study the Sun. The CCD42-80 sensor is a frame transfer matrice of 2048 x 4096 pixels, 13.5-µm square pixel size, with back-thinned illuminated technology. It works in UV light and in the MPP (Multi Phase Pin) mode. This mode, associated with a temperature regulated at -40° C, reduces the dark currents to a very low level. The sensor also has high quantum efficiency in the spectral range (370 nm, 950 nm).