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| Paper: |
SCASim: A Flexible and Reusable Detector Simulator for the MIRI instrument of the JWST |
| Volume: |
461, Astronomical Data Analysis Software and Systems XXI |
| Page: |
169 |
| Authors: |
Beard, S.; Morin, J.; Gastaud, R.; Azzollini, R.; Bouchet, P.; Chaintreuil, S.; Lahuis, F.; Littlejohns, O.; Nehme, C.; Pye, J. |
| Abstract: |
The JWST Mid Infrared Instrument (MIRI) operates in the 5-28μm
wavelength range and can be configured for imaging, coronographic
imaging, long-slit, low-resolution spectroscopy or medium resolution
spectroscopy with an integral field unit.
SCASim is one of a suite of simulators which operate together to
simulate all the different modes of the instrument. These simulators are
essential for the efficient operation of MIRI; allowing more accurate
planning of MIRI observations on sky or during the pre-launch testing of
the instrument. The data generated by the simulators are essential for
testing the data pipeline software. The simulators not only need to
reproduce the behaviour of the instrument faithfully, they also need to
be adaptable so that information learned about the instrument during the
pre-launch testing and in-orbit commissioning can be fed back into the
simulation.
SCASim simulates the behaviour of the MIRI detectors, taking into
account cosmetic effects, quantum efficiency, shot noise, dark current,
read noise, amplifier layout, cosmic ray hits, etc... The software has
benefited from three major design choices.
First, the development of a suite of MIRI simulators, rather than single
simulator, has allowed MIRI simulators to be developed in parallel by
different teams, with each simulator able to concentrate on one
particular area. SCASim provides a facility common to all the other
simulators and saves duplication of effort.
Second, SCASim has a Python-based object-oriented design which makes it
easier to adapt as new information about the instrument is learned
during testing.
Third, all simulator parameters are maintained in external files, rather
than being hard coded in the software.
These design choices have made SCASim highly
reusable. In its present form it can be used to simulate any JWST
detector, and it can be adapted for future instruments with similar,
photon-counting detectors. |
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