Abstract: Disclosed is a method for calibrating optical spectrographs, and in particular optical spectrographs having focal plane array detectors. The method comprises the steps of detecting a spectrum of a known source, referencing a table of known spectral wavelengths and relative intensities, and deriving a spectrograph model based on the spectrograph's physical properties to approximate the observed spectrum, wherein non-linear optimization techniques refine the theoretical model parameters, thereby minimizing the residual difference between observed and calculated spectral intensities in an iterative process producing a set of physical model parameters that best describe the modeling spectrograph for calibration of subsequent spectral acquisitions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for calibrating optical spectrographs, and in particular optical spectrographs having focal plane array detectors. The method comprises the steps of detecting a spectrum of a known source, referencing a table of known spectral wavelengths and relative intensities, and deriving a spectrograph model based on the spectrograph's physical properties to approximate the observed spectrum, wherein non-linear optimization techniques refine the theoretical model parameters, thereby minimizing the residual difference between observed and calculated spectral intensities in an iterative process producing a set of physical model parameters that best describe the modeling spectrograph for calibration of subsequent spectral acquisitions.

Abstract: A charged coupled device is disclosed including an asymmetrical split with independent control over the regions on opposite sides of the split. The charge coupled device is configurable for use in multiline or kinetic spectroscopy, and includes two separate horizontal registers with optional charge dump regions for improving efficiency.

Abstract: A CCD comprises a sensing array and a readout register extending adjacent an edge of the sensing array. The readout register has first and second rows of transfer cells. The first row of transfer cells is between the sensing array and the second row. The transfer cells of the first row are of lower capacity than the transfer cells of the second row and are separated from the transfer cells of the second row by a potential barrier.

Abstract: A CCD comprises a sensing array, a readout register extending adjacent an edge of the sensing array, and an output cell at an output end of the readout register. The output cell has first and second sub-cells with the first sub-cell being between the readout register and the second sub-cell. The first sub-cell of the output cell is of lower capacity than the second sub-cell and is separated from the second sub-cell by a potential barrier.