EVALUATION OF A 512X512-ELEMENT PLATINUM SILICIDE SCHOTTKY-BARRIER INFRARED IMAGE SENSOR AND PILOT OBSERVATIONS OF THE CYGNUS-X REGION

We present an evaluation of the performance of a Mitsubishi 512X512-el ement platinum silicide (PtSi) Schottky-barrier infrared image sensor for application to astronomical observations. An infrared-camera syste m, incorporating the PtSi array, was built and its performance was eva luated both in the laboratory and in observations. Dark current, DC st ability, noise, quantum efficiency (QE), linearity, and uniformity wer e measured. Results of a series of measurements show that the array ha s potential capability for astronomical use. Several problems such as low QE and ''splashes'' are discussed. To demonstrate the effectivenes s of the array by using this infrared camera, we have mapped an area o f 8x9 square de,grees of the Cygnus X region with a small telescope co nsisting of a silicon singlet lens. More than 1000 stars, brighter tha n 6.5 mag in the H-band, were detected in the region.