The TRiCAM is a compact intensified camera. It is designed for scientific and industrial applications that require low-light imaging. With built-in signal generators, the TRiCAM is capable of ultra-short exposures through fast gating and frequency-domain imaging using lock-in detection.
Models
TRiCAM G
GATED IMAGE INTENSIFIER
The TRiCAM G is equipped with an integrated timing pulse generator and a gate-unit. The integrated gate unit generates gate pulses down to < 3 ns.
TRiCAM M
MODULATED IMAGE INTENSIFIER
Modulation at up to 120 MHz is provided by a single-chip digital synthesizer to ensure very low phase noise.
TRiCAM GM
GATED AND MODULATED INTENSIFIER
This is a combination of the gated and modulated versions of the TRiCAM. This versatile camera is capable of both gated and modulated imaging.
Applications
The TRiCAM is a versatile imaging system that can be used for a wide variety of applications. These are some of the applications that our customers use the TRiCAM for:
Time-resolved fluorescence in the analysis of edible oils
Fluorescence spectroscopy is an effective method to obtain a physical or chemical signature for delineating the composition and characteristics of organic matter. It is a major tool for analyzing food security. However, since most organic ingredients have similar fluorescent spectra, it is difficult to distinguish them with high precision by traditional fluorescence analysis.
Diffuse Optical Tomography
The TRiCAM is a gain-modulated intensified CCD camera for Near-Infrared Diffuse Optical Tomography. It allows scientific-grade imaging of tissue properties for 3D reconstruction of chromophore concentrations in biomedical optics. Its well-established frequency-domain technology allows fast acquisition of macroscopic images at high accuracy. The TRiCAM comes with a dual signal generator and power supply and optional software for extracting the phase shift and demodulation information. Lambert Instruments also offers high modulation depth laser diodes that can be modulated across a broad frequency range for optimal sensitivity.
The Lambert Instruments TRiCAM is easy to operate and has been used in optical breast cancer screening and brain imaging.
TRICAM KEY FEATURES
我n the intensity-based Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) method, change in emission intensities from donor and acceptor fluorophores is measured. During FRET, the amount of emitted photons (emission intensity) from the donor fluorophore decreases and the emission intensity from the acceptor fluorophore increases. The FRET efficiency is basically calculated from the ratio of emission intensities from donor and acceptor before and after FRET occurrence.
To obtain accurate FRET data by sensitized emission, three images have to be acquired:
1. Donor excitation with donor emission,
2. Donor excitation with acceptor emission,
3. Acceptor excitation with acceptor emission.
The major advantage of this method over fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM)—which is a donor-based FRET detection—is that it can be carried out with standard wide-field or confocal fluorescence microscopes that are available in most laboratories. Moreover, it yields additional data on the acceptor population. However, quantitative sensitized emission requires significant attention for corrections and calibration, whereas FLIM-based FRET techniques are inherently quantitative from first physical principles.
我mage IntensifierSpecifications
我MAGE INTENSIFIER
TRiCATT M
MODULATED IMAGE INTENSIFIER ATTACHMENT
The TRiCATT M is the successor of the II18MD modulated image intensifier and is a key component in camera based/frequency-domain systems for low-light-level applications.
TRiCATT G
GATED IMAGE INTENSIFIER ATTACHMENT
The TRiCATT G increases the sensitivity of the camera and enables the detection of images at a light levels as low as 0.01 mlux.
Control units
The control unit contains a micro-controller, a high voltage power supply and a RF (Radio Frequency) amplifier. The control unit has a low voltage input to receive the external modulation signal. It amplifies this signal and biases it with a variable DC photocathode voltage. The control unit offers control of the MCP voltage for setting the image intensifier gain. The control unit also monitors the light output, and switches off the image intensifier when its light output becomes too high. The control unit supports modulation frequencies up to 120 MHz.
MANUAL GAIN CONTROL
Gain control (manual)
GAIN CONTROL
Gain control
Anode current limiter
Shutter control (optional)
GATE CONTROL
Gain control
Gate control
GATE GENERATOR
Gain control
Gate control
Anode current limiter
我nternal trigger generator
Shutter control
Programmable gate (optional)
Options
Optional: Signal Generator
我nstead of using an external modulation signal generator, we offer a built-in modulation signal generator as part of the control unit/power supply for frequencies up to 120 MHz.
Optional: TRiCAM
作为替代的透镜耦合ICCD相机(TRiCATT + CCD), we offer an ICCD camera in which the image intensifier is fiber-optically coupled to the sensor. This is the TRiCAM. This modulated intensified CCD camera is very compact and has a significantly higher gain than the lens-coupled combination as a result of the more efficient and compact fiber coupling.
Specifications
Gating Specifications |
STANDARD GATING | FAST GATING |
| Width range | 40 ns - 10 s | <3 ns - 10 s |
| Resulting min. pulse width | 40 ns (20ns) | <3 ns (10 ps) |
| Pulse repetition rate | <10 MHz | <16 MHz |
| Delay jitter (width) | ± 10 ns (± 250 ps) | <35 ps (<35 ps) |
| 我nsertion delay | 100 ns | 20 ns |
540 fps
The Lambert HS540 cameras record full-resolution images at 540 fps. To increase the framerate, the cameras can use a smaller part of the sensor to reduce the image resolution. By doing so, they can operate at up to 166 000 frames per second.
1696 x 1710 pixels
The sensor in the Lambert HS540 cameras has a full resolution of 1696 x 1710 pixels. You can change the resolution settings in the software to increase the maximum framerate or to increase the maximum recording duration.
Global Shutter
The sensor in the Lambert HS540 Series cameras uses an electronic global shutter. This ensures that all pixels are read out at the same time to prevent rolling shutter effects. Its minimum exposure time of 2 us ensures sharp images of fast-moving objects.
High Speed, High Standards
To transfer all the high-resolution image data, the Lambert HS540S streams live over a CoaXPress (CXP) interface. The camera has four CXP connectors, each of which has a channel speed of 5 Gbit/s. With Power over CXP (PoCXP) the camera can be powered over the CoaXPress channels, removing the need for a dedicated power cable.
Specifications
SENSOR SPECIFICATIONS
| Resolution | 1696 x 1710 pixels, 8 bit color or monochrome |
| Framerate | 540 fps(全分辨率) |
| 5000 fps (480 x 480 px) | |
| Shutter | Global Shutter CMOS |
| Pixel size | 8 um square |
| A/D Converter | 8 bit |
| Dynamic Range | 49 dB (EMVA1288) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 42 dB (EMVA1288) |
我NPUT AND OUTPUT
| Trigger Modes | 我nternal free-run, external, CXP |
| External Trigger | TTL signal, 3.3-5 V, 10 mA, optically isolated |
| Software Trigger | Programmable exposure (timed of width) |
| Lens Mount | F-mount, C-mount, M42-mount, custom |
| Power | Power over CoaXPress, 24 VDC/12 W |
| CXP Connector | BNC |
| CXP Channel Speed | 5.00 Gbit/s, CXP-5 |
ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS
| Environmental | 0°C to +40°C |
| Humidity | < 80% relative, non-condensed |
GAS FLAME
Blue gas flames (mix Butane - Propane) with added sparkles recorded at 1000 fps (frame rate) and gating of 15 us (effective exposure time). Resolution: 1280 x 512 pixels.
BEATING ZEBRAFISH HEART
Recording of a beating zebrafish heart at 2000 frames per second with the Lambert Instruments HiCAM on a fluorescence microscope. The blood cells were stained with a DS-red fluorophore.
CORK BURNING IN PLASMA
High-speed recording of a cork burning in plasma. Recorded with a HiCAM at 5000 fps.
OTHER APPLICATIONS
Specifications
| HICAM 500M/S | HICAM 540M/S | HICAM 1000M/S | |
| Framerate (Full Resolution) | 500 fps | 540 fps | 1000 fps |
| Sensor Resolution | 1280 x 1024 pixels | 1696 x 1710 pixels | 1280 x 1024 pixels |
| 内存 | HiCAM 500M: 8 or 16 GB | HiCAM 540M: 8 or 16 GB | HiCAM 1000M: 16 GB |
| Streaming | HiCAM 500S | HiCAM 540S | HiCAM 1000S |
| Bit Depth | 8 and 10 bit | 8 bit | 8 and 12 bit |
| Maximum resolution | 1710 x 1696 pixels |
| Framerate | 540 fps at full resolution |
| 1000 fps at 1200 x 1200 pixels | |
| 5000 fps at 480 x 480 pixels | |
| Minimum exposure time | 40 ns |
| Gating repetition rate | 100 kHz |
| 我mage intensifier | Proximity-focused image intensifier |
| Photon gain (max.) | 36000 lm/m^2/lx |
| Computer interface | Streaming CoaXPress |
The HiCATT can be configured with a wide range of image intensifiers. Our experienced engineers will help you pick the right image intensifier for your application.
COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR CAMERA
使用标准C-mount or F-mount input and output, the HiCATT is compatible with any high-speed camera.
Applications
BUTANE-PROPANE FLAME AT 4200 FPS
Flames (mix Butane - Propane) at 4200 fps and 40 us gate open time (effective exposure time), HiCATT 25 image intensifier, high-speed camera attachment with Phantom V4.0 high-speed camera.
ELECTRONIC DISCHARGE AT 47000 FPS
Electronic Discharge at 47000 fps and 3 us gate open time (effective exposure time), HiCATT 25 image intensifier, high-speed camera attachment with Phantom V7.1 high-speed camera.
GAS COMBUSTION AT 5000 FPS
Gas combustion observed at 5,000 fps with HICATT High Speed Image Intensifier, Gen 2, 10µs exposure time. Fore more info go to www.axiomoptics.com. The HICATT High Speed Intensifier used for this video was coupled to a NAC Memrecam camera. It is also compatible with pco.Dimax, Phantom, Photron Fastcam or Optronis cameras.
COMBUSTION RESEARCH
Researchers around the world are using the HiCATT in their combustion studies involving OH* laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and chemiluminescence. To avoid motion blur and to see the detailed structures, a very short exposure time is required. This reduces the light intensity that is detected during each exposure. The HiCATT boosts the light intensity to ensure clear images at high frame rates.
Other applications
Models
TRiCAM G
GATED IMAGE INTENSIFIER
The TRiCAM G is equipped with an integrated timing pulse generator and a gate-unit. The integrated gate unit generates gate pulses down to < 3 ns.
TRiCAM M
MODULATED IMAGE INTENSIFIER
Modulation at up to 120 MHz is provided by a single-chip digital synthesizer to ensure very low phase noise.
TRiCAM GM
GATED AND MODULATED INTENSIFIER
This is a combination of the gated and modulated versions of the TRiCAM. This versatile camera is capable of both gated and modulated imaging.
Small gate widths
Gate width down to less than 3 ns (FWHM) with minimal jitter.
High gate repetition rates
Up to 300 kHz / 2.5 MHz burst.
Compact design
For an easy fit to your imaging or spectroscopy setup.
Overexposure protection
用户自行设定当前limitation and optional shutter.
Easy coupling
Efficient lens coupling to any CCD and CMOS camera (up to 500 fps) with C-mount input and output.
Automatic Day/Night Operation
The TRiCATT G can be supplied with automatic gain and gating control enabling 24 hours day/night operation.
Relay Lens
The high quality relay lens transfers the intensified image to the image sensor of the attached camera very efficiently and without losses in resolution. If required we can provide the 0.5x relay lens with a back focal distance of 13 mm.
Camera
Along with the Image Intensifier TRiCATT Lambert Instruments can deliver different types of CCD and CMOS cameras. If you already have a camera, you can use our interactive calculator to determine which intensifier size and relay optics are best suited for your setup.
GLOBAL SHUTTER
Global-shutter sensors read out all pixels of the sensor simultaneously, so the entire frame represents image data that was captured at the same moment in time. This method is not subject to the same motion artifacts as the rolling-shutter method.
CONSEQUENCES
我n everyday use, you won't notice if your camera uses the rolling shutter method. Only when you're capturing an image of a fast-moving object (like a fan), you may notice some motion artifacts like deformed fan blades.
我n situations that require high-performance imaging, rolling shutter can severely affect your data. In such cases, it is better to use a global-shutter sensor, to ensure that your image represents the same instant in time and to prevent rolling shutter artifacts.
TRANSFER SPEEDS
Because of its high transfer speeds, CXP is ideal for streaming high-speed imaging. Each CXP cable can transfer up to 6.25 Gbps. Our cameras have 4 CXP ports for a total transfer speed of up to 25 Gbps.
COMPUTER INTERFACE
You need a frame grabber to capture the data that is transferred over CXP. A frame grabber is an expansion card for a computer that captures the incoming data and displays it on the screen or stores it on the computer. Most frame grabbers offer a software development kit (SDK) to develop your own specialized image acquisition software.
OTHER FACTORS
Many factors influence the spatial resolution of an intensified imaging system, like the size of the image intensifier, the number of image intensifiers and the optics.
The image intensifier is a vacuum tube with a photocathode at the input, a micro-channel plate (MCP) in the middle and a phosphorescent screen at the output. Photons are processed as follows:
The image is projected onto the photocathode. The photocathode converts the incoming light (photons) into electrons. The electrons are emitted in the vacuum tube and accelerated towards the MCP by an electric field.
The MCP is a thin plate consisting of many parallel micro channels; each channel works as an electron multiplier by secondary emission from the channel wall. The gain of this multiplier depends on the voltage that is applied between the input and the output of the MCP. Typical electron gain is in the order of 10,000. At the end of the channel, the electrons are accelerated by an electric field towards the anode screen.
The anode screen is a phosphor layer deposited at the vacuum interface of the output window; it is covered by a thin aluminum film to prevent light feedback. The anode screen has a potential of 6 kV with respect to the MCP. The electron energy is absorbed by the phosphor material and converted into light. The result is a visibly intensified image at the output of the intensifier.
The output window of the intensifier is usually fiber-optically coupled to the next component. This can either be the image sensor or to a next stage of the intensifier.
The figure below shows a schematic representation of a dual-stage image intensifier that is fiber-optically coupled to the image sensor. The first stage is similar to a single-stage image intensifier.
The object to be recorded generates light by itself. This may be the case for phenomena like the combustion process (flames and turbines), or in living cells that emit fluorescent light.
The radiation level corresponding to the required brightness would cause an unacceptable temperature rise of the object.
And what if the image signal has become too low because of the high frame rates? Camera noise will be an additional problem then. Fortunately, there is a high-tech solution for these problems: the image intensifier. It is used to intensify the image before it is projected onto the image sensor of the high-speed camera. The intensified image results in a sensor signal that is typically 10 000 times higher than without using an image intensifier—in the process elevating the signal above camera noise level.
