Photon Lines UK

Cameras and Image Intensifiers

HiCAM 5000 intensified high speed cmos camera

The HiCAM is a gated intensified high speed camera which offers the unique combination of high speed and sensitivity down to single photon level.

These properties are achieved by using a dual stage image intensifier that is fiber-optically coupled to the CMOS sensor. Depending on the specific application the spectral sensitivity can be selected.  

Fast moving objects are recorded sharply by shuttering the image intensifier down to 40ns, optionally 5ns. The image intensifier is specially designed for the use with high speed cameras; photocathodes with different spectral response from the UV to the near IR are available; enhanced maximum output brightness results in an optimal signal-to-noise ratio at  a high frame rate.

The dual stage (2-stage) image intensifier is coupled to the CMOS sensor by using tapered fibre optics that matches the

image intensifier to the sensor format.

Advantages of having an image intensifier in front of a high speed camera

The sensitivity increases for high-speed low light applications, for example where the object itself is emitting light at an intensity that is too low for normal high-speed cameras (flames, fluorescence cells, low intensity PIV, electric discharges, etc).

There is no need for high power light sources. On places where the heat generated by these light sources will have an unacceptable influence on a measurement an intensified high-speed camera can offer a solution.

The possibility of ultra short exposure times. With the gating feature of the image intensifier it is possible to have effective exposure times down to 40ns or even 5ns. This makes it possible to capture even the fastest objects without motion blur.  Enhanced maximum output brightness results in a optimal signal/noise ratio at high frame rate.

The HiCAM is available in 2 versions, the very sensitive HiCAM 500 and the ultra fast HiCAM 5000.

Applications

 Lambert-Instruments-HiCATT-HiCAM 1.09 Mb