Infrared detectors for astronomical photometry

The work described in this thesis involved an investigation of the relative merits of selected inexpensive room temperature detectors for use in visible and near infrared astronomical photometry of bright stars. Two of the detectors were lead sulphide photoconductive types, two were silicon p-n junction detectors operated in the photovoltaic mode and the fifth was a p-i-n photodiode. Measurements of signal to noise ratios enabled one of these detectors - a silicon photovoltaic type - to be selected for use in the field. The signal and noise data were collected digitally and computer analysed.