Hamamatsu Photonics C10910 User manual

Universal streak camera
C10910
Instruction Manual
Thank you for your purchase.
CAUTION
• Follow the safety precautions in Chapter 1 in order to avoid personal injury
and damage to property when using this system. The manual describes the
correct handling method of the system and provides instructions that should
be followed to avoid accidents. Read this manual carefully before using
this system. After reading this manual, store it in a location where you can
refer to it at any time.
Ver.1.19E
MAY 2018
HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
87550301-19

C10910 INSTRUCTION MANUAL Ver.1.19E
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1. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1-1 SYMBOLS
The symbols shown below are used for this system.
Protective conductor terminal
Alternating current
ON (supply)
OFF (supply)
1-2 CLASSIFICATION OF WARNINGS
We have classified the warnings symbols that appear in this instruction manual and on the
system as follows for your convenience. Make sure that you fully understand them and
follow the instructions they contain.
WARNING
Improper handling of the system without observing
these warnings could lead to serious injury to the user
and even death.
CAUTION
Improper handling of the system without observing
these cautions could lead to personal injury to the user
or damage to property.
Note
This symbol indicates a note to help you get the best performance
from the system. Read the contents of the note carefully to ensure
correct and safe use. Failure to observe one of these notes might
impair the performance of the system.
This symbol indicates a cautionary item that should be followed when
handling the system. Read the contents carefully to ensure correct
and safe use.
This symbol indicates an action that is forbidden. Read and follow the
instructions carefully.
This symbol indicates a compulsory action or instruction. Read and
follow the instructions carefully.

C10910 INSTRUCTION MANUAL Ver.1.19E
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WARNING
Power supply
Use the system with the indicated voltage on the rating sticker. Using a
different voltage can damage the system and lead to fire or electric
shock.
Cables
Do not to place heavy objects on cables or bend them excessively. Doing
so can damage the cables and lead to fire or electric shock.
Power supply cord
Use the accessory power supply cord when using this system.
Do not touch the plug with wet hands. Doing so can lead to electric
shock.
Do not attempt to dismantle or modify the system.
Doing so can also lead to damage and even injury, as some internal
components become very hot or high voltage. Do not touch parts that are
not indicated in this manual.
Do not allow foreign objects
such as combustible substances, metal objects or water to get inside the
system. These can damage the system and lead to fire or electric shock.
In the event of an anomaly
such as the image suddenly disappearing or the occurrence of a strange
noise, a strange smell or smoke coming from the system, immediately
turn off the power switch and unplug the power supply cord and contact
Hamamatsu subsidiary or your local distributor. Do not attempt to repair
the system yourself.
Do not remove any covers that are secured to the system.
Internal circuits in this system may have high voltages, so removing the
cover may lead to electrical shock.

C10910 INSTRUCTION MANUAL Ver.1.19E
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CAUTION
Power supply cord
When unplugging the power supply cord, do not pull on the cord. Remove the
plug from the outlet to avoid causing electric shock or fire.
If the system is not in use for a long period of time, unplug the power supply
cord from the outlet to avoid damaging the cord and causing electric shock or
fire.
Connecting and disconnecting cables
Always turn off the system before connecting and disconnecting cables.
Shipping precautions
When transporting the system by truck, ship, airplane, etc., wrap it
securely in packaging material or something similar.
Strong impact
Do not subject the system to strong shocks (such as dropping it).
Doing so can damage the system.
To prevent overheating in the system’s interior, do not wrap the
device in cloth or other material.
Make sure a space of at least 10 cm at the front of each
ventilating holes for ventilation.
Disposal
When disposing of the system, take appropriate measures in compliance
with applicable regulations regarding waste disposal and correctly
dispose of it yourself, or entrust disposal to a licensed industrial waste
disposal company.
In any case, be sure to comply with the regulations in
your country, state, region or province to ensure the system is disposed
of legally and correctly.
Operating environment
This system is designed and tested for use in an industrial environment. If
this system is used in residential areas, EMI (electro-magnetic
interference) may occur. This system must not be used in residential
areas.

C10910 INSTRUCTION MANUAL Ver.1.19E
4
CAUTION
Streak tube
The system has a built-in highly-sensitivity streak tube with a very high
photon detection capability. Because of this, excessive incident light can
damage the streak tube. The streak camera operation should be handled
with extreme care to avoid damage.
Protection function of streak camera
The system is provided with protection functions to safeguard from
excessive incident light. However, these functions are not effective in all
cases, so the user should handle the instrument with care, and not rely on
these protective functions to avoid damage.
ND filter
When performing measurements for the first time, make sure an ND filter
or a similar filter is placed in front of the input optics to reduce the
intensity of light. Start with low intensity light and increase gradually to
avoid damage.

C10910 INSTRUCTION MANUAL Ver.1.19E
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2. CHECK THE CONTENTS OF PACKAGE
When opening the package, check that the following items are included before use. If the
contents are incorrect, insufficient, or damaged in any way, contact a Hamamatsu
subsidiary or your local distributor before attempting to operate the system.
C10910-XX Universal streak camera main unit
C10910 Universal streak camera main unit
1
Power unit
1
Power cable 2 m
1
USB cable 4 m
1
BNC-BNC cable 1.5 m
1
BNC-BNC cable 4 m
1
AC code 2 m
1
Spare fuse(inside of AC inlet) 250 V, T4 A
1
Scaling file(CD-ROM)
1
C10910 test report
1
C10910 instruction manual
1
Tool for exchanging horizontal plug-in unit (HEX wrench 4
mm)
1
Spacer ring for output optics
1
Streak tube(inside of main unit)
1
M10914-01 Horizontal blanking unit
1

C10910 INSTRUCTION MANUAL Ver.1.19E
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Option
Vertical plug-in unit
M10911-01 Synchroscan unit
M10911-01 Synchroscan unit
1
SMA-SMA cable 2 m
1
SMA-BNC converter
1
SMA-50 Ω termination
1
SWR cable(LEMO – red and black banana plug)
1
M10911-02 250 MHz synchroscan unit
M10911-02 250 MHz synchroscan unit
1
SMA-SMA cable 2 m
1
SMA-BNC converter
1
SMA-50 Ωtermination
1
SWR cable(LEMO – red and black banana plug)
1
M10911-03 Synchroscan unit
M10911-03 Synchroscan unit
1
SMA-SMA cable 2 m
1
SMA-BNC converter
1
SMA-50 Ω termination
1
SWR cable(LEMO – red and black banana plug)
1
M10912-01 Fast single sweep unit
M10912-01 Fast single sweep unit
1
BNC-BNC cable 1.5 m
1
SMA-BNC converter
1
M10913-01 Slow single sweep unit
M10913-01 Slow single sweep unit
1
BNC-BNC cable 1.5 m
1
SMA-BNC converter
1
M10913-11 Slow single sweep unit
M10913-11 Slow single sweep unit
1
BNC-BNC cable 1.5 m
1
SMA-BNC converter
1

C10910 INSTRUCTION MANUAL Ver.1.19E
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Horizontal plug-in unit
M10914-01 Horizontal blanking unit
M10914-01 Horizontal blanking unit is attached to C10910-XX Universal streak camera
main unit.
M10914-02 Shift blanking unit
M10914-02 Shift blanking unit
1
BNC-BNC cable 1.5 m
1
M10915-01 Synchronous blanking unit
M10915-01 Synchronous blanking unit
1
M10916-01 Dual time base extender unit
M10916-01 Dual time base extender unit
1
Slit length fine adjustment plate
1
BNC-BNC cable 1.5 m
1
M10916-02,-03 High repetition dual time base extender unit
M10916-02,-03 High repetition dual time base extender unit
1
Slit length fine adjustment plate
1
BNC-BNC cable 1.5 m
1
SMA power divider
1
SMA-SMA cable 2 m
2
* When you purchase plug-in additionally, scaling file is attached without M10914 and
M10915 series.

C10910 INSTRUCTION MANUAL Ver.1.19E
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Input optics
A1976-01 input optics for streak camera
A1976-01 input optics for streak camera
1
A1974 input optics for streak camera
A1974 input optics for streak camera
1
Output optics
A11695-01 50:35 output optics for streak camera
A11695-01 50:35 output optics for streak camera
1
A11695-11 50:35 output optics for streak camera
A11695-11 50:35 output optics for streak camera
1
Mount table
A11771-01 Mount table for ORCA-R2
A11771-01 Mount table for ORCA-R2
1
A11771-03 Mount table for ORCA-Flash4.0
A11771-03 Mount table for ORCA-flash4.0
1

C10910 INSTRUCTION MANUAL Ver.1.19E
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C
Co on nt te en nt ts s
1. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS............................................................................ 1
1-1 SYMBOLS..................................................................................................................... 1
1-2 CLASSIFICATION OF WARNINGS.............................................................................. 1
2. CHECK THE CONTENTS OF PACKAGE................................................... 5
3. OVERVIEW................................................................................................ 12
3-1 OVERVIEW.................................................................................................................12
3-2 OPERATING PRINCIPLE...........................................................................................12
3-3 CHARACTERISTICS.................................................................................................. 13
3-3-1 TEMPORAL RESOLUTION ...........................................................................................13
3-3-2 DYNAMIC RANGE.........................................................................................................14
3-4 DEFINITION OF TERMS USED................................................................................. 14
4. PROTECTIVE FUNCTIONS OF THE STREAK CAMERA........................ 18
5. NAME AND FUNCTIONS OF PARTS....................................................... 19
5-1 UNIVERSAL STREAK CAMERA MAIN UNIT (SIDE VIEW FROM VERTICAL
PLUG-IN UNIT SIDE)..................................................................................................19
5-2 UNIVERSAL STREAK CAMERA MAIN UNIT (TOP VIEW FROM HORIZONTAL
PLUG-IN UNIT SIDE)..................................................................................................20
5-3 UNIVERSAL STREAK CAMERA MAIN UNIT (TOP VIEW FROM HORIZONTAL
PLUG-IN UNIT SIDE)..................................................................................................21
5-4 UNIVERSAL STREAK CAMERA MAIN UNIT(SIDE VIEW FROM INPUT OPTICS
SIDE)........................................................................................................................... 22
5-5 UNIVERSAL STREAK CAMERA MAIN UNIT (SIDE VIEW FROM OUTPUT OPTICS
SIDE)........................................................................................................................... 23
5-6 POWER SUPPLY UNIT (FRONT PANEL).................................................................24
5-7 POWER SUPPLY UNIT (REAR PANEL)....................................................................25
5-8 M10911-01 SYNCHROSCAN UNIT M10911-02 250 MHZ SYNCHROSCAN UNIT
N10911-03 SYNCHROSCAN UNIT ..........................................................................26
5-9 M10912-01 FAST SINGLE SWEEP UNIT.................................................................27
5-10 M10913-01, -11 SLOW SINGLE SWEEP UNIT........................................................29
5-11 M10914-01 HORIZONTAL BLANKING UNIT............................................................ 31
5-12 M10914-02 SHIFT BLANKING UNIT ........................................................................32
5-13 M10915-01 SYNCHRONOUS BLANKING UNIT ......................................................34
5-14 M10916-01 DUAL TIME EXTENDER UNIT M10916-02,-03 HIGH REPETITION
DUAL TIME EXTENDER UNIT................................................................................... 35
6. SYSTEM SETUP ....................................................................................... 37
6-1 THE CAUTIONS ABOUT INSTALLATION.................................................................37
6-1-1 INSTALATION OF STREAK CAMERA MAIN UNIT.......................................................37
6-2 INSTALLATION ON AN OPTICAL TABLE ................................................................. 38
6-3 ATTACHING THE CCD MOUNT TABLE.................................................................... 38
6-4 CONNECTING POWER CABLE ................................................................................39
6-5 ATTACH OR DETACH OF VERTICAL PLUGIN ........................................................40
6-6 ATTACH OR DETACH OF HORIZONTAL PLUGIN................................................... 41
6-7 OPTICAL ADJUSTMENT............................................................................................ 42
6-7-1 INPUT OPTICS A1976-01..............................................................................................42
6-7-2 INPUT SLIT WIDTH ADJUSTMENT ..............................................................................42
6-7-3 INPUT SLIT LENGTH ADJUSTMENT ...........................................................................43
6-7-4 HOW TO EXCHANGE THE SLIT LENGTH ADJUSTMENT PLATE..............................43
6-7-5 ADJUSTMENT OF SLIT POSITION...............................................................................45

C10910 INSTRUCTION MANUAL Ver.1.19E
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6-7-6 FOCUSING OF OPTICS................................................................................................46
7. CONNECTION WITH THE COMPUTER FOR CONTROL........................ 48
7-1 OVERVIEW.................................................................................................................48
7-2 CONNECTION............................................................................................................48
7-3 DRIVER INSTALL.......................................................................................................48
7-4 HOW TO SET THE USB ADDRESS..........................................................................50
8. OPERATIONS ........................................................................................... 51
8-1 CAUTION.................................................................................................................... 51
8-2 PREPAREING FOR OPERATIONS........................................................................... 51
8-3 START OF OPERATIONS..........................................................................................51
8-4 END OF OPERATIONS..............................................................................................52
9. SYSTEM CONFIGURATION EXAMPLE................................................... 53
9-1 SYNCHROSCAN MEASUREMENT...........................................................................53
9-1-1 CONNECTION ...............................................................................................................53
9-1-2 ADJUSTING THE SYNCHROSCAN FREQUENCY.......................................................54
9-1-3 SYNCHROSCAN TEMPORAL RESOLUTION...............................................................55
9-2 SIGLE SWEEP MEASUREMENT ..............................................................................58
9-2-1 CONNECTION ...............................................................................................................58
10. PLUG-IN SETTINGS ................................................................................. 59
10-1 SETTING ITEM LIST .................................................................................................. 59
10-1-1 SETTINGS OF MAIN UNIT............................................................................................59
10-1-2 VERTICAL PLUG-IN......................................................................................................59
10-1-3 HORIZONTAL PLUG-IN.................................................................................................60
10-2 MCP GAIN .................................................................................................................. 60
10-3 SWEEP RANGE ......................................................................................................... 61
10-4 MODE SELECTOR..................................................................................................... 62
10-5 GATE MODE...............................................................................................................62
10-5-1 GATE FUNCTION..........................................................................................................62
10-5-2 GATE MODE DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................63
10-6 DELAY.........................................................................................................................65
10-7 TRIGGER MODE........................................................................................................ 65
10-7-1 CONTINUOUS MODE ...................................................................................................65
10-7-2 SINGLE MODE ..............................................................................................................66
10-8 TRIGGER STATUS.....................................................................................................66
10-9 TRIGGER LEVEL........................................................................................................66
10-10 TRIGGER POLARITY.................................................................................................66
11. PLUG-IN COMBINATIONS AND OPERATING CONDITIONS ................. 67
11-1 OVERVIEW................................................................................................................. 67
11-2 PLUG-IN COMBINATIONS AND OPERATION CONDITIONS..................................67
11-3 COMBINATION SETTING(SWEEP MODE, OPERATE) ...........................................68
11-3-1 M10911-01 OR M10911-03+ M10914-01.......................................................................68
11-3-2 M10911-01 OR M10911-03+M10914-02........................................................................68
11-3-3 M10911-01+M10915......................................................................................................68
11-3-4 M10911-01 OR M10911-03+M10916-01,-02,-03 ...........................................................69
11-3-5 M10912-01+M10914-01.................................................................................................69
11-3-6 M10912-01+M10916-01.................................................................................................70
11-3-7 M10913-01,-11+M10914-01...........................................................................................70
11-3-8 M10913-01,-11+M10916-01...........................................................................................71
11-4 COMBINATION SETTING(FOCUS MODE)............................................................... 72
11-4-1 CATHODE GATE...........................................................................................................72
11-4-2 MCP GATE.....................................................................................................................72
12. COOLING FUNCTION OF PHOTOCATHODE.......................................... 73
12-1 OVERVIEW.................................................................................................................73

C10910 INSTRUCTION MANUAL Ver.1.19E
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13. MAINTENANCE ........................................................................................ 74
13-1 CARE ..........................................................................................................................74
13-1-1 MAIN UNIT AND EACH PLUG-IN UNIT.........................................................................74
14. TROUBLESHOOTING............................................................................... 75
14-1 TURNING ON THE POWER.......................................................................................75
14-2 STARTING CONTROL ...............................................................................................76
14-3 PARTS REPLACEMENT............................................................................................77
14-3-1 FUSE REPLACEMENT..................................................................................................77
14-3-2 SHUTTER REPLACEMENT...........................................................................................77
15. SPECIFICATIONS..................................................................................... 78
15-1 N12142 STREAK TUBE.............................................................................................. 78
15-2 C10910 MAIN UNIT AND STREAK TUBE ................................................................. 78
15-3 M10911 SYNCHROSCAN UNIT SEREIS .................................................................. 80
15-4 M10912 FAST SINGLE SWEEP UNIT SERIES......................................................... 81
15-5 M10913 SLOW SINGLE SWEEP UNIT SERIES .......................................................82
15-6 M10914 HORIZONTAL BLANKING UNIT SERIES....................................................83
15-7 M10915 SYNCHRONOUS BLANKING UNIT SERIES...............................................83
15-8 M10916 DUAL TIME BASE EXTENDER UNIT SERIES............................................ 84
15-8-1 M10916-01 DUAL TIME BASE EXTENDER UNIT.........................................................84
15-8-2 M10916-02 HIGH REPETITION DUAL TIME BASE EXTENDER UNIT ........................84
15-8-3 M10916-03 HIGH REPETITION DUAL TIME BASE EXTENDER UNIT ........................85
15-9 INPUT OPTICS...........................................................................................................85
15-10 OUTPUT OPTICS....................................................................................................... 85
16. DIMENSIONAL OUTLINES....................................................................... 86
16-1 C10910 MAIN UNIT....................................................................................................86
16-2 C10910 POWER SUPPLY UNIT ................................................................................ 88
16-3 M10911-01 SYNCHROSCAN UNIT, M10911-03 SYNCHROSCAN UNIT ................89
16-4 M10911-02 SYNCHROSCAN UNIT ...........................................................................90
16-5 M10912-01 FAST SINGLE SWEEP UNIT.................................................................. 91
16-6 M10913-01 SLOW SINGLE SWEEP UNIT................................................................. 91
16-7 M10913-11 SLOW SINGLE SWEEP UNIT................................................................. 92
16-8 M10914-01 HORIZONTAL BLANKING UNIT.............................................................93
16-9 M10914-02 SHIFT BLANKING UNIT..........................................................................94
16-10 M10915-01 SYNCHRONOUS BLANKING UNIT........................................................95
16-11 M10916-01, -02, -03 DUAL TIME BASE EXTENDER UNIT, HIGH REPETITION
DUAL TIME BASE EXTENDER UNIT........................................................................96
16-12 A1976-01 INPUT OPTICS ..........................................................................................97
16-13 A1974 INPUT OPTICS................................................................................................98
16-14 A11695-01 OUTPUT OPTICS .................................................................................... 99
16-15 A11695-11 OUTPUT OPTICS....................................................................................99
16-16 A11771-01 MOUNT TABLE (FOR ORCA-R2)..........................................................100
16-17 A11771-03 MOUNT TABLE (FOR ORCA-FLASH4.0) ............................................. 101
17. WARRANTY ............................................................................................ 102
17-1 BASIC WARRANTY.................................................................................................. 102
17-2 REPAIRS .................................................................................................................. 102
18. CONTACT INFORMATION...................................................................... 103

C10910 INSTRUCTION MANUAL Ver.1.19E
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3. OVERVIEW
3-1 OVERVIEW
The C10910 Streak Camera can be used as a synchroscan sweep model (with a temporal
resolution of 1 ps or better *1), as a fast single sweep model (with a temporal resolution of
1 ps or better *1), or as a slow single sweep model (with a temporal resolution of 20 ps or
better), simply by replacing the plug-in module.
Furthermore, horizontal plug-in unit is available for the C10910 Streak Camera. Horizontal
blanking unit, shift blanking unit, synchronous blanking unit, dual time base extender unit
and high repetition dual time base extender unit are prepared for the many types of
application.
The C10910 Streak Camera is provided with a USB interface as a standard feature,
making it easy to operate the streak camera with external commands. Each settings of
streak camera are set by data reading system by Hamamatsu photonics.
*1 Temporal resolution depends on the photocathode type. Please refer to
15.Specifications for details.
3-2 OPERATING PRINCIPLE
The streak camera converts incident light into electrons and sends them through a
high-speed sweep (the electrons are swept in the direction from top to bottom) in order to
determine the intensity distribution of the incident light in relation to time. The operating
principle of the streak tube is shown in the illustration below.
A: Photocathode Photon is converted into electron (photoelectric effect).
These electrons are called photoelectrons.
Photoelectrons are produced at a rate proportional to input light
power.
B: Acceleration mesh This electrode accelerates photoelectrons toward MCP input.
C: Deflection plate Photoelectrons are deflected by high voltage applied to these
plates.
D: MCP This plate has electron multiplication function.
sweep generator
Indicate
light
A
B
C
D
E
Space
axis
Trigger signal
Time
axis
Time axis

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E: Phosphor screen Luminescence light is happened when electrons are came.
The light passes through a slit and forms an image on the photocathode of the streak tube.
The photocathode converts the light into electrons, and these electrons are directed
towards a phosphor screen by accelerating mesh. A high-speed and high voltage is
applied to the deflection plate, so that the electrons are swept in the direction from top to
bottom. The swept electrons are directed towards an MCP (micro-channel plate) where
they are amplified, and then directed to the phosphor screen where they are converted
back into light.
The optical image produced on the phosphor screen is called the "streak image", and this
serves the intensity distribution in the vertical axis direction as time passes.
In this way, the temporal intensity distribution is substituted for a spatial intensity
distribution on the photocathode.
In addition, if the light is passed through a spectroscope or other equipment and directed
to the photocathode, the spatial information is output to the horizontal axis direction, thus
the temporal resolution of the light spectrum is measured using a single streak image.
Furthermore, applying a high-speed and high voltage to the horizontal sweep electrodes
enables analysis in both axes, which is applicable to applications such as Synchrotron and
Linac electron bunching measurement.
3-3 CHARACTERISTICS
3-3-1 TEMPORAL RESOLUTION
The temporal resolution of the streak camera is evaluated by the output pulse width
(FWHM) of incident (impulse) light (The pulse should be short enough for the temporal
resolution of the camera). Major parameters which limit the temporal resolution of streak
tubes are as follows:
1
t∆
: Time dispersion caused by spatial spread
2
t∆
: Time dispersion caused by the spatial resolution and
the deflection speed
3
t∆
: Time dispersion caused by the deflection electric field
Assuming that these are Gaussian parameters, the temporal resolution
t∆
can be
calculated using the following equation:
2
3
2
2
2
1tttt ∆+∆+∆=∆
2
t∆
is controlled by the spatial resolution of the readout system which detects the streak
image on the photocathode, so the temporal resolution of the system has to be measured
with the total system.
When the temporal resolution of the system is
S
T
, the FWHM of the incident pulse light is
p
T
, and assuming that both of these are Gaussian parameters, the FWHM
T
of the streak
image (the observed pulse width) is as follows:
22 pS TTT +=
The temporal resolution
S
T
can be obtained from the observed value
T
of the pulsed light,
if the FWHM
p
T
is already known.

C10910 INSTRUCTION MANUAL Ver.1.19E
14
3-3-2 DYNAMIC RANGE
When pulsed light is applied to a streak tube and its intensity is increased gradually, the pulse
width to be measured will spread. This phenomenon is known as the intensity-dependency of
the temporal resolution of the streak tube, and is thought to be caused by influence from the
density of the spatial charge.
The dynamic range of the streak camera is defined by this intensity-dependency of the
temporal resolution. For this reason, the dynamic range of the streak camera has
conventionally been defined as the intensity ratio of the point where the pulse width spreads
to temporal resolution of each streak camera specification (1 ps about C10910) due to the
intensity-dependency, and the point corresponding to the noise level of the readout system.
According to this definition, however, when the system gain is sufficient enough to enable the
detection of single photoelectrons, the output of the system for the single photoelectron
becomes larger than the noise level of the readout system.
Therefore, HAMAMATSU uses the weakest pulse as the lowest limit of the dynamic range.
This results in a numerical which appears to be worse, but which in fact is much better in
terms of practical application.
3-4 DEFINITION OF TERMS USED
D
Dual Time Base (Dual Time Base Extender Unit):
By applying a saw-toothed voltage to the horizontal deflection plates in addition to the
ordinary streak sweep, the electronic beam focused on the phosphor screen shifts in the
horizontal direction while at the same time sweeping in the vertical direction. This allows
information pertaining to time for the horizontal direction as well as the vertical direction. This
function results in the vertical axis being the fast time axis and the horizontal axis being the
slow time axis. For example, this enables measurement of changes in pulse width, phase,
and other phenomena taken over a much longer time period than the repetition frequency of
an optical phenomenon at high speed.
Dynamic Range:
This indicates the light intensity range which can be measured with the streak camera. In this
manual and HAMAMATSU catalogs, the dynamic range is specified as the weakest pulse
which can actually be measured, instead of the noise level, which has conventionally been
used to define the dynamic range. In other words, the ratio between the strongest pulse and
the weakest pulse in the range of the input/output linearity (γ = 1) is taken as the dynamic
range. Generally speaking, there is a tendency for the dynamic range to become smaller as
the temporal resolution improves.
G
Gate Extinction Ratio:
The ratio of the phosphor screen brightness is displayed when the gate is opened and closed
for the incident light which is constant in terms of time.

C10910 INSTRUCTION MANUAL Ver.1.19E
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Gating:
This is an operation carried out in order to render the streak camera temporarily insensitive. If
light positioned before and after the measured light is entered to the streak camera, the
photoelectrons produced by that light will be scattered and multiplied inside the streak tube,
which causes optical noise to appear on the streak image, and lower the S/N of the streak
image. In order to prevent this problem, the streak camera is equipped with a cathode gate
which blocks the photoelectrons produced on the photocathode and an MCP gate which
stops electrons from being multiplied in the MCP.
MCP Gate:
Disturbance light can be reduced by applying the voltage which determines the
MCP GAIN.
Photocathode Gate:
Disturbance light can be reduced by applying the voltage between the photocathode
and the accelerating electrodes.
Gate Modes:
NORMAL (Normal Mode):
When a single-sweep streak unit is being used, this obstructs the light during the
return sweep.
GATE (Gate Mode):
When a single-sweep streak unit is being used, the gate opens when a gate trigger
is received, and closes when the sweep has been completed.
EXT. (External Mode):
When a single-sweep streak unit or a synchroscan streak unit is being used, the
gate opens and closes in response to pulses input from the gate trigger connector.
H
Horizontal Blanking:
When a single-sweep unit is being used, pulses synchronized to the sweep are applied to the
horizontal electrodes to separate the return sweep from the screen and obstruct the returning
light. Since the function operates up to 4 MHz, the returning light is also obstructed when a
low-speed single-sweep streak unit is being used, but is not used when a synchroscan streak
unit is being used.
I
Input Optics:
This is an optics which is positioned in front of the photocathode of the streak tube. Its
function is to streamline the measured light into extremely fine rays so that the image can be
formed on the photocathode. It consists of a slit section and a lens section. Various models
are available, classified by the spectral transmittance and brightness of the lens.
M
MCP:
This is an abbreviation for Micro Channel Plate. The MCP is an electron multiplier consisting
of many thin glass tubes (channels) with internal diameters ranging from 10 µm to 20 µm,
bundled together to form a disk-shaped plate with a thickness of 0.5 mm to 1 mm. The
internal walls of each individual channel are coated with a secondary electron discharging
material, so that as the electrons come flying through the channels, they bump against the
walls, and the repeated impact causes them to multiply in number. A single electron can be

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multiplied into as many as 1000 using this process.
O
Output Optics:
This is an optics which is positioned between the phosphor screen and the readout camera. It
is used to form an image on the readout camera which reads the streak image formed on the
phosphor screen.
P
Phosphor Screen:
This is a screen which produces light when electrons bump against it. This is where the
electron image is optically converted into a streak image. The phosphor screen consists of a
glass plate and layers of fluorescent material on the surface of the plate. The amount of light
generated by the fluorescent material is proportional to the kinetic energy of the electrons.
Photocathode:
This is configured of numerous layers of various types of metallic film, so that when light
strikes this surface, the light energy is absorbed and electrons called photoelectrons are
discharged. The detectable wavelength range of the incident light and the conversion ratio,
differ depending on the material making up the photocathode.
Q
Quantum Efficiency:
This is the ratio between the number of incident photons on the photocathode and the
number of photoelectrons generated. It is calculated using the following equation:
No. of photoelectrons / No. of incident photons x 100 (%)
R
Radiant Sensitivity:
This expresses how many amperes (A) of photoelectric current are produced from one watt
(W) of incident light on the photocathode. It can be expressed as the (A/W) of the incident
light and the photoelectric current.
S
Space- temporal Resolution Measurement:
This is a process which measures temporal changes in the light intensity by identifying the
position of the light being measured. This is done by collecting the optical images to the input
slit of the streak camera using input optics.
Shift blanking
This function is used for systems that combine a synchroscan unit with a low-repetition laser
based on a high-repetition laser, such as a system combining a titanium-sapphire laser and a
pulse picker. Though dependent on the frequency setting, synchroscan units measure light
emission phenomena with a maximum time length of approximately 2 ns. In this case, if a
light emission phenomenon longer than the measurement range, such as about 1 μs, occurs
at the same time, then the back sweep will overlap the short light emission to be measured.
The shift blanking function prevents this problem by eliminating the return sweep on the long
light emission phenomenon from the CCD field of view. So using shift blanking in low jitter
synchroscan measurement allows finding just the short light emission in the range of interest.

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.
T
Temporal Resolution:
This is the boundary of the resolution capability which differentiates two phenomena which
are consecutive in terms of time. It is defined by the FWHM of the intensity of the streak
image for the incident light with a time width (pulse width) which can be infinitely close to but
not equal to zero.
Time-Resolved Spectroscopy:
In time-resolved spectroscopy, temporal changes in the intensity of light at various
wavelengths are measured. A spectroscope is set in front of the streak camera, and light
separated in the horizontal direction is collected and an image formed at the level input slit in
order to be measured.
Trigger Delay:
In order to obtain a streak image in the center of the phosphor screen, the trigger signal has
to arrive at the slit earlier than the incident light. The trigger delay is used to adjust this
difference in timing.
Trigger Jitter:
When a phenomenon is being repeated in order to measure it (streak images are being
integrated), the position of the streak image on the phosphor screen changes slightly each
time , because of fluctuation in the operation timing of the sweep circuit and other factors.
This fluctuation is called trigger jitter, and is one element which limits the temporal resolution
of the system. It can be a particular problem with high-speed sweeps. (With low-speed
sweeps, the trigger jitter is lower than the temporal resolution, and can be ignored.)
The trigger jitter is determined by the difference between the FWHM of a single pulse and the
FWHM when pulses are integrated.
W
Window Material:
This is a panel which makes up the photocathode, and is made of material with a superb light
transmission characteristic. Various materials such as MgF2, ultraviolet glass, and fiber plate
are used as window materials. The window material varies depending on the boundary
transmittance wavelength of the ultraviolet region.

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4. PROTECTIVE FUNCTIONS OF THE
STREAK CAMERA
The C10910 Streak Camera has a built-in, highly-sensitivity streak tube
with a very high photon detection capability. Because of this, excessive
incident light can damage the streak tube. The streak camera operation
should be handled with extreme care to avoid damage.
The C10910 Streak Camera is provided with protection functions to
safeguard from excessive incident light. However, these functions are not
effective in all cases, so the user should handle the instrument with care,
and not rely on these protective functions to avoid damage.
• If the shutter remains open while working in Focus Mode for a given
period of time (approx. 5 minutes), the shutter closes automatically.
FOCUS mode is designed for optical adjustment and alignment.
Since no sweep deflection is performed in FOCUS mode, incoming
light intensity is concentrated within the slit image and can cause
burn-in or gain degradation at the MCP intensifier. The C10910 is
designed to close the shutter automatically when continuous
operation time in FOCUS mode reaches (approx. 5 minutes) in order
to prevent this degradation. The default value is set to
approximately 5 minutes, however, for advanced users, this value
can be set longer via the remote GPIB control.
• When changing from Sweep Mode to Focus Mode, the shutter closes
automatically and the MCP GAIN is set to the minimum (0).
As above explanation,since no sweep deflection is performed in
FOCUS mode, incoming light intensity is concentrated within the slit image
and can cause burn-in or gain degradation at the MCP intensifier.
• Turning off the power while the input shutter is still open will cause the
shutter to close at the next operation startup, so the MCP gain starts from
a minimum setting.
After turning off the power without closing the input shutter, the shutter
stays open until the power is turned on again. Since the power is off at this
time, the possibility of burn-in is extremely low but the photocathode is
exposed to the outside and so might be damaged if it is illuminated with
very strong light. Basically, close the shutter before turning off the power.