CALBLOCK-PV-020: VIS Bias (DEACTIVATED)

Observation configuration file

Not applicable (deactivated)

Scheduling

One master bias created early on in PV phase (if not taken during commissioning).

In case of failure, repeat the master bias at the next possible opportunity.

During routine operations, two bias frames are taken every day (included in the ROS). A master bias is computed once a month.

Time-critical

Must be done early during PV phase.

Dependencies

None.

Objective

The bias level of the VIS detectors may not be stable over time, and it also exhibits spatial variations at the beginning of the readout (bias stabilization). The spatial pattern is expected to be stable within each quadrant. The bias level can be accurately computed from a series of individual bias exposures.

Observations

Early in PV phase, take 60 bias frames. Additional biases are taken as part of the ROS, which is not considered here.

Fulfilling

CALPRODUCT-VS-003: VIS Bias

Instrument configuration

Instrument: VS-CU off; RSU closed; VIS Bias sequence in the IOCD

Inter-operability constraints

None.

Processing input

Ground Processing Input Data: BPM

Data Description: 60 VIS biases

Processing method

The master bias is computed from 60 individual exposures. Images are median combined (or averaged) after identification and masking of cosmics.

Processing output

Combined bias frames.

Processing tools

Pipeline: VIS_MasterBias_Pipeline

PE: VIS_BiasCalibration

Validation

  • Single bias exposures:

    Within a single quadrant the bias must be stable within 1 ADU (after row averaging, to beat down the readout noise). Within a 24 h period, the bias must not vary by more than 2 ADUs (after row averaging in a difference image). The bias stabilization is not parameterized and not checked in single exposures.

  • Monthly master bias:

    Compute the difference image between the current master bias and previous master bias (taken the previous month, and during PV phase). Sudden changes by more than 1 ADU in the mean bias level (quadrant) require further investigation.

Recovery

Slow bias variations over timescales of a few months are tolerable for science. The root cause should be investigated. For example, single bias exposures might be affected by too many cosmics and should be rejected. In case of a hardware cause, further investigation by the instrument operation team is required.

Quality control parameters

DataModel: https://gitlab.euclid-sgs.uk/

Contact person

VIS instrument scientist