OPTIMA: A Photon Counting High-Speed Photometer |
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Authors: | C Straubmeier G Kanbach and F Schrey |
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Institution: | (1) Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany;(2) I. Physikalisches Institut, University of Cologne, Germany;(3) Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany;(4) Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany |
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Abstract: | OPTIMA is a small, versatile high-speed photometer which is primarily intended for time resolved observations of young high
energy pulsars at optical wavelengths. The detector system consists of eight fiber fed photon counters based on avalanche
photodiodes, a GPS timing receiver, an integrating CCD camera to ensure the correct pointing of the telescope and a computerized
control unit. Since January 1999 OPTIMA proves its scientific potential by measuring a very detailed light-curve of the Crab
Pulsar as well as by observing cataclysmic variable stars on very short timescales. In this article we describe the design
of the detector system focussing on the photon counting units and the software control which correlates the detected photons
with the GPS timing signal.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | high-speed photometer photon counting GPS timing software hardware |
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