
440 17. Detectors, Signal-to-Noise, and Detection Limits
17.5.
DETECTION LIMITS: SPECTROSCOPY
Calculation of detection limits for spectroscopy requires a careful analysis of
the type of spectrometer and the mode in which it is used. In this section we
consider slit and slitless modes, and stellar and extended sources. Selected
examples of representative telescope/spectrometer combinations are given.
17.5.a. SLIT SPECTROSCOPY-STELLAR SOURCES
The calculation of SNR for slit spectrometers proceeds by using Eqs. (17.3.3)
and (17.3.4) modified for different source or observing conditions. For a stellar
source there are two cases—the star image fits ...