Synchrotron calibration and response modelling of back-illuminated XMM-RGS CCDs

Abstract Back-illuminated CCDs with high quantum efficiency for 0.35–2.5 keV X-rays in combination with low efficiency at optical wavelengths have been developed for XMM-RGS. As part of the calibration programme, a systematic study of the CCD response in this energy range has been performed at the Synchrotron Radiation Source in Daresbury, UK. These measurements show the good quantum efficiency of the CCDs. The results are consistently described by a Monte Carlo model.