Understanding image sensor characteristics

[benfrantzdale]

Dear Lazyweb,

Can you explain image sensor specs to me? I am trying to understand where the brightness limit is at which shot noise dominates, and understand how to compare sensor specs

Comments

e- / ADU

[anonymous]

I think you need to get everything in terms of e- / ADU for a particular amplifier and AD path. I recommend you review "Scientific Charge-Coupled Devices" (James Janesick):

http://spie.org/x648.html?product_id=374903

Once you know e- / ADU (typically via mean-variance curve) you'll also get read noise, be able to end up in photons, and know what the sensor is going to detect.

CMOS works differently of course, with an amplifier per pixel instead of a single amplifier for the entire chip.

Re: e- / ADU

[benfrantzdale]

Thanks, mystery poster.