Here we describe the MIC photon counting detector which is a very high resolution, large format system that has been developed for astronomical applications and has been proven on the major UK associated telescopes. Additionally, though, this detector does have a number of applications in other fields such as bio-medical and X-ray imaging.The detector itself consists of a specially designed 40mm diameter micro-channel plate intensifier fibre optically coupled to a CCD read-out system. Data is then centroided to 1/8th of a CCD pixel in both X and Y to provide high resolution. Accumulated data is stored in a micro-processor system with on-line display and reduction facilities.The maximum format available with the detector is 3072 x 2304 pixels where each pixel is 1O.Gpm square. The resolution is 27jm FWHM when averaged over the field. Dependent upon the application, a dynamic range as high as 5 x 106 achievable with this detector. The time resolution of the detector is in the range ims to l2ms.A very large format version of thin detector is being designed that utilizes a 75mm intensifier and has a maximum format of 6144 x 4608 pixels. It is expected that this detector will have the same performance figures as the 40mm system.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.