Electron Bombarded CCD: Principles and Applications

This lecture discusses the principles and applications of electron bombarded charge-coupled devices (EB-CCDs) for single photon detection. It begins with an overview of intensified CCDs, explaining how photons are converted to electrons through a photocathode, followed by electron multiplication via microchannel plates. The instructor then introduces the EB-CCD, highlighting its working principle where single photons generate single electrons that are accelerated to high voltages, resulting in impact ionization and a significant gain of electrons. The lecture emphasizes the efficiency of this method, achieving gains of 100 to 200, which is sufficient for many single photon detection applications. The discussion includes examples of electron bombarded active pixel sensors (EB-APS) and their ability to detect low-level visible light, particularly in night vision scenarios. The lecture concludes with a description of intensified EB-CCDs, which combine microchannel plate amplification with electron bombardment for enhanced sensitivity, showcasing the potential for high total gains in detection systems.