Achieving sub-electron readout noise in Skipper CCDs

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel readout system for Skipper CCDs achieving sub-electron noise levels, enabling highly sensitive measurements such as low-energy X-ray detection.

Contribution

The paper introduces a new readout technique for Skipper CCDs that achieves sub-electron noise levels, improving detection sensitivity.

Findings

Achieved 0.2e- RMS readout noise.

Demonstrated low-energy X-ray detection capability.

Discussed advantages of Skipper CCD architecture.

Abstract

The readout noise for Charge-Coupled Devices (CCDs) has been the main limitation when using these detectors for measuring small amplitude signals. A readout system for a new scientific, low noise CCD is presented in this paper. The Skipper CCD architecture, and its advantages for low noise applications are discussed. A technique for obtaining sub-electron readout noise levels is presented, and its noise and signal characteristics are derived. We demonstrate a very low readout noise of $0.2e^{-}$ RMS. Also, we show the results using the detector in a low-energy X-ray detection experiment.