EVALUATION OF THE RCA-640X1024 CHARGE-COUPLED-DEVICE IMAGER FOR ASTRONOMICAL USE

A double-density (15 mu m multiplied by 15 mu m pixels) RCA charge-coupled device has been tested and commissioned for astronomical imaging and spectroscopy at the Canada-France-Hawaii telescope (CFHT). This thinned device has had its support glass removed and has received a broadband antireflection coating to improve the UV and blue response. Presented here are characterization measurements resulting from 10 months of laboratory testing and use at the telescope. Although the read noise is not as low as with other CCDs available, the high pixel density and the permanent quantum efficiency enhancements provided by this RCA device give some advantages over other sensors when used at the CFHT.