Scientific CMOS camera for fast low-light imaging

Hamamatsu has introduced the ORCA-Flash2.8 camera. It is the company's first high-sensitivity digital camera based on a next-generation scientific CMOS image sensor. Designed for low-light imaging at high frame rates, the camera combines high resolution, high sensitivity, high speed, and low noise at an affordable price

The camera's new scientific CMOS image sensor, the FL-280, has 2.8 megapixels and a pixel size of 3.63 x 3.63 µm, ensuring high resolution. The sensor’s wavelength sensitivity ranges from UV to visible, with peak sensitivity (over 60% QE) at about 450-500 nm. The sensor features low readout noise, typically 3 electrons r.m.s. The sensor’s design keeps the readout noise minimal even at very fast readout speeds, unlike traditional image sensors. The FL-280 sensor also has low dark current. Because of its intrinsically low dark current, the sensor requires cooling to +5°C only.

Built for high-speed imaging, the camera's readout speed ranges from 45 frames/second at full resolution up to 1273 frames/second with sub-array readout. Other features include external trigger functions, real-time corrections, and analog gain. It is suitable for a wide variety of applications including ratio imaging, FRET, FISH, TIRF microscopy, and real-time confocal microscopy. The camera will be shown at Analytica 2010 in Munich, Germany, from March 23 to March 26. Demo cameras will be available in May 2010.

More information here.