Ground Astronomy

By combining Teledyne e2v, Teledyne Imaging Sensors, and Teledyne DALSA, Teledyne Imaging can demonstrate a proud history as the leading supplier of sensors for Space Science, Ground-based Astronomy, and Earth Observation applications with an impressive record of successful deliveries to a wide range of customers over 40 years. Most of Teledyne Imaging ground-based astronomy sensors are capable of qualification for space use.

Teledyne Imaging devices can be supplied partially or fully customized to fit the application and achieve the best possible system performance. Sensor design, manufacture, assembly and test are carried out in-house. Sensors are back-illuminated for highest sensitivity, designed with very low noise, and available in multiple formats and package types. Teledyne Imaging has capabilities and vast experience in designing and delivering integrated camera systems, mosaics, and focal planes.

Teledyne Imaging also provides fully integrated camera and spectroscopy solutions, covering a range of ground-based applications. For these challenging, low light measurements we offer CCD, EMCCD, CMOS, and InGaAs detector options. Our cameras are low noise, deep cooled, with incorporated back-illuminated sensors for the highest sensitivity, with multiple format options for the ultimate flexibility.

Key benefits of visible detectors
  • High quantum efficiency
  • Large format devices
  • Large pixel sizes
  • Integrated focal plane and camera capability
  • Custom detector designs
  • High Quantum Efficiency (QE)
  • Very low noise

Teledyne Imaging manufactures sensors for mosaic imaging cameras, spectroscopy, auto-guiding, acquisition and adaptive optics. The group's CCDs have extensive heritage and a wide variety of formats and customized features.

CMOS Image Sensors (CIS) offer similar performance to CCDs but can offer higher frame rates and integrated digital functions, including digital data output.

Key benefits of IR solution
  • Bandgap engineered
  • Tuneable wavelength
  • Substrate removed, deep depleted and fully depleted (low dark current) MCT
  • Simultaneous UV, visible, IR light detection
  • Read Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC) design
  • In house HgCdTe growth (4 MBE machines)

Teledyne Imaging is a world leader in the design and production of large format IR sensors, producing the largest IR detectors in the world. Key benefits include large format, high-speed, very-low noise, high-dynamic range, background subtraction, special windowing, and on-FPA signal processing

Teledyne’s IR FPAs for ground astronomy very large telescopes are produced using Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) Cadmium Mercury Telluride (MCT), or HgCdTe, tuneable wavelength, bandgap engineered substrate.

Key benefits of camera solutions
  • Fully integrated electronics
  • CCD, EMCCD, CMOS, and InGaAs options
  • Imaging and spectroscopy solutions
  • Range of sensor sizes for ultimate flexibility
  • NUV to NIR wavelength coverage
  • High quantum efficiency
  • Low noise electronics and deep cooled detectors

Teledyne Imaging provides high performance, state-of-the-art imaging and spectroscopy cameras for challenging, low-light applications. Key benefits of a camera solution include fully integrated and calibrated electronics and a complete imaging or spectroscopy solution for ease of use - all with high sensitivity, low noise, high dynamic range and multiple format options.

Teledyne Imaging can also customize each camera solution with a wide range of coatings, providing flexibility and optimization for any application.

Our Heritage

Teledyne Imaging has an impressive record of successful projects over 40 years.

  • Javalambre Physics of the Accelerating Universe Astrophysical Survey (J-PAS) – 1.2gigapixel camera
  • European Southern Observatory (ESO) Very Large telescope (VLT) MICADO, HARMONI, METIS and MUSE instruments - 4k x 4k visible and IR detectors, 2k x 2k IR detectors
  • University of Hawaii 2.2-meter (88-inch) telescope on Mauna Kea – 4k x 4k IR detectors
Download Science and Ground Astronomy CCD Brochure

Image Sensors / Focal Plane Arrays

Teledyne Imaging manufactures sensors for mosaic imaging cameras, spectroscopy, auto-guiding, acquisition, and adaptive optics. Our Charge Coupled Devices (CCDs) have extensive heritage and a wide variety of formats and customized features. Our CMOS Image Sensors (CIS) offer similar performance to CCDs but can offer higher frame rates and integrated digital functions, including digital data output. Our cooled HgCdTe focal plane arrays with CMOS readout ICs reveal the sky's secrets in the infrared. 

See all Ground Astronomy Image Sensor Solutions

Ground-Based Camera Solutions

Teledyne Imaging, via the combination of Teledyne Princeton Instruments, Teledyne Photometrics, and Teledyne Acton Optics,  delivers multiple camera solutions for a range of ground-based imaging and spectroscopy instrumentation.

Teledyne Imaging cameras include CCD, EMCCD, CMOS, and InGaAs sensor technologies, that can be partially or fully customized to fit specific applications and optimize the camera performance. Camera design, calibration, and testing are all done at our own facilities.

In combining large format, ultra-low read noise, fast frame rates, and high dynamic range, Teledyne Imaging provides the ultimate imaging experience with ground-based back-illuminated CMOS cameras. Optimized for dynamic capture, our CMOS cameras offer the complete solution for a wide range of applications.

See all Ground Astronomy Cameras

Our back-illuminated CCD cameras provide high sensitivity and low noise, with large format solutions and broad wavelength coverage for the ultimate flexibility. With deep cooling technology, our CCD cameras are optimized for long exposure measurements. 

Teledyne Imaging also provide near infrared camera solutions with InGaAs technology. With high quantum efficiency over the 900 – 1700 nm wavelength range, low noise and a range of cooling methods, Teledyne Imaging provides NIR camera solutions for multiple ground-based near infrared applications.

Teledyne Imaging understands the need for high quality and durability.  Our cameras are designed and manufactured for life.  As proof of this commitment, our cooled cameras come with a lifetime vacuum guarantee.

Considering a camera solution for ground astronomy? Check out the field of view calculator on our Teledyne Princeton Instruments sister site.

Astronomy Camera Field of View Calculator

Ground Astronomy Products

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