CCD quantum efficiency

A sensor’s quantum efficiency (QE) is defined by its ability to convert photons into a
useful output. The human eye, for example, only has good QE between about 450–
650 nm. The QE of a CCD is defined as the fraction of photons incident on the
CCD’s surface that are successful in creating electron-hole pairs, where the electrons
are captured and measured by the CCD’s read out electronics, as shown in the
equation.

QE = Ne − Nγ

where Ne − is the number of electrons generated and read out by the CCD, and Nγ is
the number of photons incident on the CCD’s surface.