Cooling the dark energy camera CCD array using a closed-loop two-phase liquid nitrogen system

H. Cease; D. DePoy; G. Derylo; H. T. Diehl; J. Estrada; B. Flaugher; K. Kuk; S. Kuhlmann; A. Lathrop; K. Schultz; R. J. Reinert; R. L. Schmitt; A. Stefanik; A. Zhao

doi:10.1117/12.857995

26 July 2010 Cooling the dark energy camera CCD array using a closed-loop two-phase liquid nitrogen system

H. Cease, D. DePoy, G. Derylo, H. T. Diehl, J. Estrada, B. Flaugher, K. Kuk, S. Kuhlmann, A. Lathrop, K. Schultz, R. J. Reinert, R. L. Schmitt, A. Stefanik, A. Zhao

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7739, Modern Technologies in Space- and Ground-based Telescopes and Instrumentation; 77393N (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.857995
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The Dark Energy Camera (DECam) is the new wide field prime-focus imager for the Blanco 4m telescope at CTIO. This instrument is a 3 sq. deg. camera with a 45 cm diameter focal plane consisting of 62 2k × 4k CCDs and 12 2k × 2k CCDs and was developed for the Dark Energy Survey that will start operations at CTIO in 2011. The DECam CCD array is inside the imager vessel. The focal plate is cooled using a closed loop liquid nitrogen system. As part of the development of the mechanical and cooling design, a full scale prototype imager vessel has been constructed and is now being used for Multi-CCD readout tests. The cryogenic cooling system and thermal controls are described along with cooling results from the prototype camera. The cooling system layout on the Blanco telescope in Chile is described.

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H. Cease, D. DePoy, G. Derylo, H. T. Diehl, J. Estrada, B. Flaugher, K. Kuk, S. Kuhlmann, A. Lathrop, K. Schultz, R. J. Reinert, R. L. Schmitt, A. Stefanik, and A. Zhao "Cooling the dark energy camera CCD array using a closed-loop two-phase liquid nitrogen system", Proc. SPIE 7739, Modern Technologies in Space- and Ground-based Telescopes and Instrumentation, 77393N (26 July 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.857995

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