Measurement of Photons Emitted by High-Energy Charged Particles as Background in Single-Photon Resolving Image Sensors

This work introduces an advanced technique op- timized for detecting photons generated by charged particles, leveraging Skipper-CCD image sensors. By analyzing background sources and detection efficiencies, the technique achieves strong agreement between experimental results and Cherenkov-based simulations. It also provides a robust framework for investigating secondary photon production in environments with high fluxes of ionizing particles, such as those anticipated in space-based astronomical instruments. These secondary photons present a critical challenge as background noise for next-generation single-photon resolving imagers used to study faint celestial objects. Furthermore, the method exhibits significant potential for broader applications, including exploring photon generation in various substrate materials and examining their transport through multiple interfaces. Fil: Fernández Moroni, Guillermo. University of Chicago; Estados Unidos. Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Chierchie, Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Eléctrica "Alfredo Desages". Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica y de Computadoras. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Eléctrica "Alfredo Desages"; Argentina