The effect of radiation damage on optical CCDs operating in time-delay integration mode

In this paper we also present a description of the apparatus used to synchronise the projection and translation of sources of light onto a CCD with the charge transfer rate of the device. The facility and measurement technique described in this paper will provide the University of Leicester, Space Research Centre with a dedicated optical CCD test facility to support future space and ground-based instrument development programmes involving optical CCDs. This paper is aimed at supporting the contribution of the UK to the European Space Agency's (ESA) Gaia programme. This paper will determine whether radiation effects place intrinsic limits on the centroiding accuracy and photometric efficiency achievable with optical CCDs operating in TDI mode.