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5.3 Vacuum Pressure
It is recommended that the local pressure around the sensor is <5x10
-5
mbar (<3.75x10
-5
torr) to achieve maximum cooling. Many pressure gauges emit radiation which can be
detected by the CCD sensor, if this background signal is affecting your data acquisition it
may be necessary to switch off the pressure gauge, once you are satisfied that steady state
conditions have been achieved.
Never cool the sensor below the dew point of the environment that it is in, otherwise
permanent damage due to condensation may occur. Switch the cooling off
immediately if you suspect condensation is forming on the sensor.
