MOA-cam3: a wide-field mosaic CCD camera for a gravitational microlensing survey in New Zealand

TL;DR

The paper introduces MOA-cam3, a wide-field mosaic CCD camera designed for gravitational microlensing surveys, offering high image quality, rapid readout, and low noise, enabling more effective data collection and alerting.

Contribution

The development of MOA-cam3, a new wide-field mosaic CCD camera with optimized optical design, fast readout, and low noise for enhanced microlensing surveys in New Zealand.

Findings

Covers 2.2 deg^2 with a single exposure

Achieves readout within 25 seconds with low noise

Operates effectively at -80C with negligible dark current

Abstract

We have developed a wide-field mosaic CCD camera, MOA-cam3, mounted at the prime focus of the Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics (MOA) 1.8-m telescope. The camera consists of ten E2V CCD4482 chips, each having 2kx4k pixels, and covers a 2.2 deg^2 field of view with a single exposure. The optical system is well optimized to realize uniform image quality over this wide field. The chips are constantly cooled by a cryocooler at -80C, at which temperature dark current noise is negligible for a typical 1-3 minute exposure. The CCD output charge is converted to a 16-bit digital signal by the GenIII system (Astronomical Research Cameras Inc.) and readout is within 25 seconds. Readout noise of 2--3 ADU (rms) is also negligible. We prepared a wide-band red filter for an effective microlensing survey and also Bessell V, I filters for standard astronomical studies. Microlensing studies have entered into a new era, which requires more statistics, and more rapid alerts to catch exotic light curves. Our new system is a powerful tool to realize both these requirements.