LGSD/NGSD: high speed visible CMOS imagers for E-ELT adaptive optics

The success of the next generation of instruments for ELT class telescopes will depend upon improving the image quality by exploiting sophisticated Adaptive Optics (AO) systems. One of the critical components of the AO systems for the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) has been identified as the Large Visible Laser/Natural Guide Star AO Wavefront Sensing (WFS) detector. The combination of large format, 1600x1600 pixels to finely sample the wavefront and the spot elongation of laser guide stars (LGS), fast frame rate of 700 frames per second (fps), low read noise (⪅ 3e-), and high QE (⪆ 90%) makes the development of this device extremely challenging. Results of design studies concluded that a highly integrated Backside Illuminated CMOS Imager built on High Resistivity silicon as the most suitable technology. Two generations of the CMOS Imager are planned: a) a smaller ‘pioneering’ device of ⪆ 800x800 pixels capable of meeting first light needs of the E-ELT. The NGSD, the topic of this paper, is the first iteration of this device; b) the larger full sized device called LGSD. The NGSD has come out of production, it has been thinned to 12μm, backside processed and packaged in a custom 370pin Ceramic PGA (Pin Grid Array). Results of comprehensive tests performed both at e2v and ESO are presented that validate the choice of CMOS Imager as the correct technology for the E-ELT Large Visible WFS Detector. These results along with plans for a second iteration to improve two issues of hot pixels and cross-talk are presented.