10000 Here is a summary of the characteristics of the detectors used with PISCO.

10000

1.  The CP40 has a good quantum efficiency but a non-uniform sensitivity and a strong geometric distortion, with a fixed integration time of 20 msec. The “photon-counting hole” affects the photometry and limits the photon flux to around 10000 ph/sec (limiting magnitude at the TBL: V$_{lim}\sim$12).

2.  The Ranicon has a very low geometric distortion, but a poor quantum efficiency and a limitation of the usable photon flux to around 8000 ph/sec (V$_{lim}\sim$11). It generates a chronologically ordered list of photon coordinates.

3.  The PAPA exhibits a flat-field pattern and geometric distortion. The photon flux is limited to around 100,000 ph/sec, and V$_{lim}\sim$12. It also a chronologically ordered list of photon coordinates.

4.  The ICCD of Nice Univ. has a lower gain than the previous detectors, no geometric distortion, virtually no limitation to the photon flux for normal astrophysical use, and V$_{lim}\sim$10. The image rate is 50 Hz, with an electronic shutter, able to reduce the integration time to 0.06 msec

10000 Hence the detectors should be chosen according to the observing program, since some defects may be incompatible with the observation requirements. A good 