Proportionally faster frame rates are achieved with smaller arrays. Even higher frame rates may be obtained with the Antares Quad controller which has the capabilities of the Antares Duo controller and has the benefit of four independent signal channels so that CCDs constructed with four separate outputs may be driven at four times the pixel rate. This allows frame rates for a quad output 64 x 64 frame transfer CCD with an array of 8 x 8 star images well in excess of 1 kHz. THAT an initial investment may already have been made, and welcome working with you to develop and supply components to assist with your own research programme. One example is in the CCD detector heads used for these applications - with fast frame rates there is no need for the low temperatures achieved with the liquid nitrogen cooled head commonly used by astronomers.
Few observatories have experience of thermoelectric cooler design.
Pix Cellent offers a range of thermoelectric heads that can be customised for the CCD of your choice. They are dry air filled, maintenance free units that are rugged and compact. The convenience of thermoelectric cooling is considerable and well matched to the applications mentioned in this document. The pages on this Web Site are Copyright of PixCellent Imaging Ltd., Cambridge, England. 23 June, 1999.