Intensifier silicon vidicon spectrophotometer for line profile studies in astronomy

The design and performance characteristics of a moderate dispersion spectrophotometer (Deltalambda ~ 0.1 nm) for astronomical observations are described. The spectrophotometer employs an intensifier silicon vidicon as detector. The operating characteristics of the detector have been evaluated and optimized. In astronomical use, the spectrupsilonophotometer is capable of recording line profiles of stars of m(upsilon) = 3.74 with a spectral resolution of 0.15 nm and SNR = 50 in an integration time of 10 sec when used with a 60-cm telescope.