Speaker
Description
Skipper-CCDs with sub-electron noise have been a transformative device for rare event searches. There is growing interest in using skipper-CCDs in future space-based telescopes, but skipper-CCDs need further development to realize their potential for space-based imaging. The DarkNESS mission will deploy an array of skipper-CCDs on a 6U CubeSat in Low Earth Orbit to search for electron recoils from strongly-interacting sub-GeV dark matter as well as X-ray line signatures from sterile neutrino decay. These measurements will demonstrate the single-electron counting capabilities of skipper-CCDs in the space environment, and pave the way for the future implementation of skipper-CCDs for space-based imaging. This contribution will describe the DarkNESS mission, detail the ongoing DarkNESS R&D efforts, and outline the technical challenges that arise when using skipper-CCDs for imaging and spectroscopy on a satellite.
Keywords for your contribution subject matter (this will assist SOC in accurately characterizing your contribution)
Skipper-CCDs, Space-based imaging, single-photon counting sensors
| contribution subject matter | CCD sensors |
|---|
