Stellar Systems Group

Goudfrooij, Paul; Bohlin, Ralph C.; Maíz-Apellániz, Jesús; Kimble, Randy A.
The Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, Volume 118, Issue 848, pp. 1455-1473.
10/2006

ABSTRACT

A variety of on-orbit imaging and spectroscopic observations are used to characterize the charge transfer efficiency (CTE) of the charge-coupled device (CCD) of the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) aboard the Hubble Space Telescope. A set of formulae is presented to correct observations of point sources for CTE-related loss of signal. For data taken in imaging mode, the CTE loss is parameterized in terms of the location of the source on the CCD, the source signal level within the measurement aperture, the background level, and the time of observation. For spectroscopic data, it is found that one additional parameter is needed in order to provide an adequate calibration of the CTE loss, namely, the signal in the point-spread function located between the signal extraction box and the readout amplifier. The effect of the latter parameter is significant for spectra taken using the G750L or G750M gratings of STIS. The algorithms presented here correct flux calibration inaccuracies due to CTE losses as large as 30% to within ~1.5% rms throughout the wavelength range covered by the STIS CCD modes. This uncertainty is similar to the Poisson noise associated with a source detected at a signal level of about 2500 electrons per resolution element. Using bidirectional CCD readouts, centroid shifts incurred due to CTE loss are also derived. A tight correlation is found between the CTE loss and the centroid shift (both for imaging and for spectroscopic modes), thus enabling one to correct for both effects of imperfect charge transfer to STIS CCD observations.

Based on observations with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by AURA, Inc., under NASA contract NAS 5-26555.