Jan 25 2011
Hamamatsu has released a novel, highly sensitive digital camera called ORCA-Flash2.8, operative on an advanced version of the scientific CMOS imaging sensor. This camera can perform low-light imaging at high frame rates, and features high sensitivity, high speed, high resolution, and lesser noise, economically.
The camera’s fundamental feature is an innovativeFL-280scientific CMOS image sensor, with 2.8 megapixels and has a pixel size in the range of 3.63 × 3.63 µm, providing high resolution. The wavelength sensitivity of the sensor ranges from UV to visible spectrum, exhibiting a peak sensitivity of 60% QE in the order of 450nm to 500 nm. Apart from high sensitivity, low readout noise of the sensor is usually 3 electrons r.m.s.
The unique configuration of the sensor lowers the readout noise even at rapid readout speeds, contrasting the conventional image sensors.The FL-280 sensor also features reduced dark current and thus demands cooling ofabout +5 °C only.The readout speed of the ORCA-Flash2.8is of 45 frames/second at complete resolution, and features a sub-array readout of 1273 frames/second.
In addition to all these functionalities, the camera also covers exterior trigger operations, live corrections, and analog gain. The camera performs quantitative calculations with 12-bit output, and can be connected to a PC employing a CameraLink frame grabber board provided with the camera.
The ORCA-Flash2.8 can be used for various life science imaging applications including FRET, FISH, TIRF microscopy, ratio imaging, and real-time confocal microscopy, besides semiconductor checking and industrial imaging.
Source: http://hamamatsucameras.com