Maintaining Capabilities in CCD Production for the Astronomy Community

TL;DR

This paper discusses the importance of maintaining CCD manufacturing capabilities for astronomy by proposing a joint effort among major agencies to find a new commercial partner after DALSA's manufacturing transition.

Contribution

It highlights the need for a collaborative approach among government agencies to ensure continued CCD production for astronomy research.

Findings

DALSA is transitioning to 200mm wafers and will cease CCD manufacturing for astronomy.

Current manufacturing capabilities are at risk due to DALSA's withdrawal.

A joint agency effort is recommended to secure future CCD fabrication.

Abstract

CCD detectors play a vital role in all aspects of optical astronomy. Critical to advancing research is the ability to partner with commercial foundries to produce custom devices that meet the needs of specific instruments. For more than 20 years, Teledyne DALSA Semiconductor was the primary industrial partner in the manufacturing of 150 mm wafers for CCDs. DALSA is migrating the manufacturing from 150mm to 200mm wafer diameter and will not be updating their CCD processing tools for the new format wafer. As a result, DALSA will no longer serve as a partner to the astronomy community in the manufacturing of CCDs. We recommend that the Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, and NASA jointly pursue a new commercial partner in CCD fabrication to maintain capabilities in custom CCD design for astronomy applications.