A lidar detection system comprises a CCD sensor for converting a returned light signal into electrical charges that are amplified at the output of the sensor itself with no significant noise and without it being necessary to accumulate the results of a plurality of firings to obtain sufficient signals. The word size is defined by a word size control variable. for use as an electrostatic precipitator. The tunable circuit includes a resistor chain coupled between a first reference voltage and a negative voltage from the negative charge pump.