Preparing Herschel's commissioning phase: Ge:Ga detector tuning
2008
The Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer (Pacs) instrument aboard the Herschel space observatory
contains an integral field spectrometer with two camera channels which consist of 25 linear arrays of 16
stressed Gallium doped Germanium crystals (Ge:Ga) each. The space radiation environment induces changes in
the detector performance. Therefore, testing the Ge:Ga detectors under space radiation environment during the
commissioning phase (CP) is important for optimization of later detector operation in orbit. The test program
for Ge:Ga detector tuning during this phase has been designed according to findings obtained in laboratory
experiments: Protons as well as a 137 Cs-γ-source have been used to simulate the space radiation environment
and to induce the radiation impacts on the photoconductor arrays. From comparison of the performance of
the detectors during CP versus laboratory tests the best strategy for operating the detectors during scientific
observations will be derived. This includes annealing, proposals for on-board data reduction algorithms and the
best estimated strategy for well-calibrated scientific measurements.
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