Size of ACIS-2C pixels

In the preceding subsection we assumed that both the FAM relative spatial motion in Y and Z, and the size of the CCD pixel are exactly as predicted. Using the above subpixel test data it is possible to cross-check these assumptions. To do this we divided the stated total motion of the FAM (440 $\mu$m) into dummy pixels of size differing from the fabrication goal of 24 $\mu$m. In the ideal case there should be linear correlation between the position of a beam inside an ACIS pixel and that of trial FAM pixels.

 

Figure 6.18: Plot of correlation coefficient vs. assumed size of ACIS CCD pixel  

Values of linear coefficient for different size of FAM `pixels' are shown at Fig. 6.18. It is clearly seen that only a narrow region of 24.60 +/- .025 $\mu$m pixel size exists where the data converge and give good statistics.

The value of 24.6 $\mu$m is 2.5 ACIS pixels, and measured with a high precision - 250 A - by this method. This deviation is considerably larger than allowed by the measurements of the total CCD active area for 1024 pixels. The probable explanation for this difference is that FAM scale itself is compromised and the true displacement is really 390 $\mu$m when readings show 400 $\mu$m.