Charge-Coupled Device Advances For X-Ray Scientific Applications In 1986

A theoretical model is presented that predicts the output response of a thinned CCD to soft x-ray spectra. The model simulates the four fundamental parameters that ultimately limit CCD performance: quantum efficiency, charge collection efficiency, charge transfer efficiency, and read noise. Simulated results are presented for a wide variety of CCD structures, and general conclusions are presented about achieving a practical balance of sensitivity, energy, and spatial resolution for an Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) instrument. We compare the results of the analysis to existing state-of-the-art CCDs and project improvements that will be made in the near future.