AUTHOR=Qu Wen-Qing , Wei Jiang-Yuan , Ma Hao-Ran , Ning Yu , Li Jia-Ming , Ge Kun , Geng Zhe , Zhang Yu , Zhang Hong-Fei , Wang Jian 

TITLE=Design and performance characterization of H-band MCT camera: insights from pixel-level gain measurements

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/astronomy-and-space-sciences/articles/10.3389/fspas.2025.1617581

DOI=10.3389/fspas.2025.1617581

ISSN=2296-987X

ABSTRACT=Infrared astronomical equipment is pivotal in advancing our understanding of the universe, particularly through ground-based observations, which remain the primary mode of astronomical study. In this paper, we introduce the development and performance characterization of an H-band Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT) infrared camera designed for astronomical observations. We computed the photon transfer curve (PTC) for each pixel and fitted these curves to derive pixel-level gain. The results reveal a spatial non-uniformity of detector pixel-level gain, which correlates with changes in field of view (FOV). By employing FOV compensation, we achieved more uniform gain distribution. This testing approach allows for a more accurate performance evaluation of scientific-grade astronomical cameras, providing a robust foundation for subsequent astronomical image analysis and benefiting the field of infrared astronomy.