An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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Current generated in an electronic detector by thermal effects, even in the absence of input signal. In a → CCD detector, the current rises from thermal energy within the silicon lattice comprising the CCD. These electrons are captured by the CCD's potential wells and counted as signal. → dark current noise.

→ dark; → current.

In a → CCD detector, statistical fluctuation of the → dark current, equal to the square root of the dark current. CCDs can be cooled either with thermoelectric coolers or liquid nitrogen to reduce this effect. Ideally, the dark current noise should be reduced to a point where its contribution is negligible over a typical exposure time.

→ dark; → current; → noise.