X-ray Energy Response of Mercury Cadmium Telluride Near-infrared Detector Arrays

A technique involving Fe X-rays provides a straightforward method to measure the response of a detector. The detector’s response can lead directly to a calculation of the conversion gain (e ADU), as well as aid detector design and performance studies. We calibrate the Fe X-ray energy response and pair production energy of HgCdTe using 8 HST WFC3 1.7 μm flight grade detectors. The results show that each Kα X-ray generates 2273 ± 137 electrons, which corresponds to a pair-production energy of 2.61 ± 0.16 eV. The uncertainties are dominated by our knowledge of the conversion gain. In future studies, we plan to eliminate this uncertainty by directly measuring conversion gain at very low light levels. Subject headings: Astronomical Instrumentation, Infrared Detectors, Conversion Gain, Interpixel Capacitance