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Pyxel 1.0: an open source Python framework for detector and end-to-end instrument simulation

  • Matej Arko
  • , Thibaut Prod’homme*
  • , Frédéric Lemmel
  • , Benoit Serra
  • , Elizabeth George
  • , Bradley Kelman
  • , Thibault Pichon
  • , Enrico Biancalani
  • , James Gilbert
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference Paperpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Detector modelling is becoming more and more critical for the successful development of new instruments in scientific space missions and ground-based experiments. Specific modelling tools are often developed from scratch by each individual project and not necessarily shared for reuse by a wider community. To foster knowledge transfer, reusability and reliability in the instrumentation community, ESA and ESO joined forces and developed Pyxel, a framework for the simulation of scientific detectors and instruments. Pyxel is an open-source and collaborative project, based on Python, developed as an easy-to-use tool that can host and pipeline any kind of detector effect model. Recently Pyxel has achieved a new milestone: the public release and launch of version 1.0 which simplified third-party contributions and improved ease of use even further. Since its launch, Pyxel has been experiencing a growing user community and is being used to simulate all kinds of detectors beyond the traditional Charged-Coupled Devices and CMOS devices, for example Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKID) and Avalanche Photo Diode (APD) devices. We give a tour of Pyxel’s version 1.0 changes and new features including a new interface, parallel computing, and new detectors and models. We continue with an example of using Pyxel as a tool for model optimization and calibration. Finally, we describe an example of how Pyxel and its features can be used to develop a full-scale end-to-end instrument simulator.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationModeling, Systems Engineering, and Project Management for Astronomy X
EditorsGeorge Z. Angeli, Philippe Dierickx
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510653559
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022
EventModeling, Systems Engineering, and Project Management for Astronomy X 2022 - Montreal, Canada
Duration: 17 Jul 202222 Jul 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume12187
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceModeling, Systems Engineering, and Project Management for Astronomy X 2022
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityMontreal
Period17/07/2222/07/22

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