Abstract

We have constructed and successfully flown an intensified CCD camera operating at XUV wavelengths. The camera is an 800X493 CCD, fiber-optic coupled to an inverting microchannel plate intensifier. XUV sensitivity is achieved by evaporating a thin layer of TPB phosphor onto the front of the intensifier; an Aluminum overcoat reduces the visible light sensitivity. This camera is flown on a NASA sounding rocket and provides real-time images of the Solar corona during the rocket flight via telemetry transmission to the ground station. Both the intensifier gain and the CCD integration time are adjustable by telemetry command during observations. The system is being used to image 304 A wavelengths, using a multilayer mirror (coated by Dr. T. Barbee, LLNL). Photon flux in-flight- is in the range 10⁹ -10¹⁰ ph/sec over the active area, providing images with good signal-to-noise in integration times of app. 1/8 second.

© 1991 Optical Society of America