Noise-equivalent flux density

In optics the noise-equivalent flux density (NEFD) or noise-equivalent irradiance (NEI) of a system is the level of flux density required to be equivalent to the noise present in the system. It is a measure used by astronomers in determining the accuracy of observations.
The NEFD can be related to a light detector's Noise-equivalent power for a collection area "A" and a photon bandwidth formula_1 by:
formula_2, where a factor formula_3 (often 2, in the case of switching between measuring a source and measuring off-source) accounts for the photon statistics for the mode of operation.