Advances in astronomical UV image sensors and associated technologies

Large-format ultraviolet image sensors have been and are actively being developed for a variety of space-borne astronomy missions. The detector is historically one of the most problematic parts of any astronomical spacecraft and it plays a critical role in the overall capability of the instrument. There are numerous detector systems with none being ideal for all applications. This paper focuses on the physical processes responsible for the inherent strengths and weaknesses of a few important UV image sensors as well as the recent technological progress that has been made to improve performance of these devices.