PhotonMAX
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The PhotonMAX from Princeton Instruments/Acton is the most advanced, no-compromise electron-multiplying CCD (EMCCD) camera on the market today. Not only is it capable of single-photon sensitivity at high frame rates, it minimizes dark current by thermoelectrically cooling a back-illuminated detector up to -80ŰC without any water assistance. Its all-metal, hermetic vacuum seals are guaranteed for the lifetime of the camera- the only such guarantee in the industry. Its ultra-precise electronics are designed to deliver the most stable results for the most demanding applications. A 512 x 512-pixel, frame-transfer EMCCD and 10-MHz, 16-bit digitizer provide the performance needed to measure fast kinetics. In fact, the PhotonMAX is a true "2-in-1" imaging solution, boasting dual amplifiers that make the camera ideal for applications requiring either high speed or long exposures. The state-of-the-art camera interface offers circular buffers for real-time frame access and focus. It also offers optional fiber optic data interface for remote operation. On-chip multiplication gain Low-noise, impact-ionization process for single-photon sensitivity Back-illuminated CCD >90% peak quantum efficiency offers the highest available sensitivity Frame-transfer architecture No need for mechanical shutterAllows 100% duty cycle imaging for particle-tracking applications Deep cooling Thermoelectric air cooling to -80C minimizes dark current and allows long exposure times No need for bulky chilled-water circulators that cause condensation around the experiment optics Lifetime vacuum Permanent, all-metal vacuum seals guaranteed for lifetime of the camera Maintenance-free operation Single optical window Vacuum window is the only optical surface between incident light and the CCD surface.No losses due to multiple optical surfaces Dual amplifiers Individually optimized signal chains for a true 2-in-1 camera configuration Use the camera for applications that require high speed (Гon-chip multiplication gain amplifier) or long integration (ԓtraditional amplifier) 16-bit digitization Wide dynamic range to capture dim and bright signals in a single image Offered at all speeds. Adjustable Analogue gains to access full well capacity of the CCD. 10- and 5-MHz readout Video rates at full-frame resolution (use Ro1 for hundreds of frames per second) 1-MHz readout Slower speed of the ԓtraditional amplifier yields performance of a traditional slow-scan CCD camera PCI interface Fiber optic interface (optional) The best data-interface design in the industry Compatible with Windows > Ԯ 2000/XP, Linux > , and Mac OS XOptional fiberoptic data interface for distances up to 300 meters, ideal for hazardous environments Software interface Universal interface for easy custom programming Real-time focus and image access via circular buffers Full-feature LabVIEWΙ VIs available >

A growing number of researchers are gearing up to analyze the dynamic behavior of complex physical, chemical or biological systems through optical means. Often in such experiments, there is a need to minimize the excitation energy and/or to shorten the exposure time creating in light "starved" conditions for optical detectors. Primary examples include single molecule fluorescence and spectroscopy, scattering, luminescence and Bose Einstein Condensate where the light levels can be as low as a few photons per pixel. Other applications such as adaptive optics in astronomy require real time...