Hamamatsu has released its ImagEM Enhanced Camera, a back thinned, electron multiplier (EM) CCD camera and the latest addition to the Hamamatsu C9100 series.
It is a universal camera for low light fluorescence imaging, ultra-low light luminescence imaging and high dynamic range brightfield imaging in life sciences, materials research and industrial imaging.
The C9100-13 has unique, active built-in EM gain protection and re-adjustment features, designed to prolong the life of the camera. Direct EM gain can easily be controlled via any software that supports the Hamamatsu DCAM application.
The ImagEM Enhanced features a high-speed readout rate of 32 frames per second at full spatial resolution, even at low light levels, 16-bit digitisation, a maximum QE of more than 90 per cent and cooling performance down to –90oC to minimise dark noise. It also features two selectable readout modes for applications such as real-time imaging of low light fluorescence and ultra-low light luminescence detection.
ImagEM Enhanced has many new features to enhance image quality such as optimised drivers, designed to minimise the effects of Clock Induced Charge (CIC), a new Photon Imaging Mode to produce high-quality images in ultra-low light applications and a new spot noise reducer function that increases the signal-to-noise ratio and improves image quality by eliminating noise elements such as cosmic rays.
To maintain performance and help reduce gain deterioration, or gain ageing, from excessive light conditions, the C9100-13 has built-in EM gain protection which can be set to passively warn when the input light is too strong for the EM gain in use, or it can be configured to automatically stop imaging in order to protect the EM-CCD.