SIT vidicon with magnetic intensifier for astronomical use.

We have coupled a magnetic intensifier to an intensified silicon target vidicon. The output and controls are digital and designed to optimize the computer analysis of the astronomical data. A coarse sweep 128 x 128 lines gives a large ( approximately 10:1) pixel to pixel modulation. Photoelectron noise is comparable to readout noise. Tube preparation is by a single light flash, ten beam erases, and a shift in cathode potential before integrate. The real time numerical picture analysis programs find stars, integrate their intensity, determine background, calculate variations, etc. and, in general, are far more useful than visual displays. Star intensities are linear with integrate time and reproducible to 3%