Hamamatsu Photonics C15550-20UP User manual

B1060301-03
ORCA-Quest
qCMOS Camera
C15550-20UP / C15550-20UP01
Instruction manual
Thank you for your purchase
• Follow the safety precautions in Chapter 1 in order to avoid personal injury and
damage to property when using this camera. The manual describes the correct
handling method of the camera and provides instructions that should be
followed to avoid accidents. Read this manual carefully before using this
camera. After reading this manual, store it in a location where you can refer to
it at any time.
Ver.1.3
January 2022

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qCMOS Camera C15550-20UP / C15550-20UP01 Instruction manual_Ver.1.3
1
1. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1-1 SYMBOLS
The symbols shown below are used for this camera.
Direct current
Alternating current
1-2 CLASSIFICATION OF WARNINGS
We have classified the warnings symbols that appear in this instruction manual and on the camera as
follows for your convenience. Make sure that you fully understand them and follow the instructions they
contain.
Improper handling of the camera without observing these warnings could lead to
serious injury to the user and even death.
Improper handling of the camera without observing these cautions could lead to
personal injury to the user or damage to property.
This symbol indicates a cautionary item that should be followed when handling the camera.
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.
This symbol indicates a note to help you get the best performance from the camera. 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 camera.

qCMOS Camera C15550-20UP / C15550-20UP01 Instruction manual_Ver.1.3
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Power supply
Use the camera with the indicated voltage on the rating sticker. Using a different
voltage can damage the camera 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 camera.
AC adapter
Use the accessory AC adapter when this using this camera.
Do not touch the plug with wet hands. Doing so can lead to electric shock.
Do not attempt to dismantle or modify the camera
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 camera.
These can damage the camera 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 camera, immediately turn off the power
switch and unplug the power supply cord and contact a Hamamatsu subsidiary or
your local distributor. Do not attempt to repair the camera yourself.

qCMOS Camera C15550-20UP / C15550-20UP01 Instruction manual_Ver.1.3
3
AC adapter
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.
When unplugging the power supply cord, do not pull on the cord, but remove the
plug from the camera to avoid breakdown of the AC adapter
or the camera.
Connecting and disconnecting cables
Always turn off the power supply of the peripheral device before connecting and
disconnecting cables.
Mounting the camera
When mounting the camera to a tripod or other fixture, use the base plate. Be
careful that the mounting screw does not enter more than 8 mm from the surface
of the base plate. Screwing it in further can impair normal operation.
Mounting the C-mount Lens (C15550-20UP)
Be careful not to screw the lens more than 7 mm into the C-mount of the camera.
Doing so can scratch the protective glass. (Some wide-angle lenses in particular
can have a thread of 7 mm or more.)
When using F-mount (C15550-20UP01)
An F-mount adapter can be subject to light leaks due to the mating flange
mechanism. When used with a high sensitivity, long exposure camera, such the
ORCA-Quest, it may be possible to detect photons originating from the F-mount
light leakage. In this case, it is recommended to create a dark condition for the
camera such as a dark room, dark box or wrap the F-mount flange area with a dark
cloth. Be careful maintain the clearance distances in the venting areas of the
camera for proper cooling air flow.
Shipping precautions
When transporting the camera by truck, ship, airplane, etc., wrap it securely in
packaging material or something similar.
Strong impact
Do not subject the camera to strong shocks (such as dropping it). Doing so can
damage the camera.
Operating environment
This camera is designed and tested for use in an industrial environment. If this
camera is used in residential areas, EMI (electro-magnetic interference) may
occur. This camera must not be used in residential areas.
Disposal
When disposing of the camera, 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 camera is disposed of legally and correctly.

qCMOS Camera C15550-20UP / C15550-20UP01 Instruction manual_Ver.1.3
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FCC Rules
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful interferen
ce when the
equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to
cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the
interference at his own expense.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void user’s authority to operate the equipment.

qCMOS Camera C15550-20UP / C15550-20UP01 Instruction manual_Ver.1.3
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Using water-cooling
Be careful water does not splash on the camera. Cut off the power supply of the
circulating water cooler and the camera when you remove and install the cooling
water hoses.
Cooling water
It is recommended to use soft water (except pure water) for cooling water. Follow
instruction manual which is attached to your circulating water cooler for an
appropriate temperature range of cooling water. If you plan on using water other
than soft water as recommended for example antifreeze etc, refer to description of
cooling water which is written in 12. “MAINTENANCE” or contact a Hamamatsu
subsidiary or your local distributor.
Condensation
At the Water-cooling, if ambient temperature and ambient humidity become high,
condensation will take place easily. Use the camera under the environment where
condensation will not take place referring to the following graph.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
15 20 25 30 35 40
Ambient humidity [%]
Ambient temperature [℃]
Relations between ambient temperature and ambient humidity
Water temperature 20 ℃ for water cooling Water temperature 25 ℃ for water cooling

qCMOS Camera C15550-20UP / C15550-20UP01 Instruction manual_Ver.1.3
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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 camera.
qCMOS Camera: C15550-20UP or C15550-20UP01
1
AC adapter
1
Power supply cord for AC adapter
1
Lens mount cap (attached to the camera)
1
C15550-20UP / C15550-20UP01 Before Use (Booklet)
1
C15550-20UP / C15550-20UP01 Instruction manual (CD-ROM)
1
QC sheet
1
[Option]
Cooling water hose (2 hoses)
A10788-04
SMA-BNC cable
A12106-05
SMA-SMA cable
A12107-05
CoaXPress interface board
M9982-30
CoaXPress interface cable
A14590-05-40
USB interface board
M9982-25
USB interface cable
A12467-03
• Handle the circulating water cooler and the cooling water according to the instruction manual of the
circulating water cooler.
• The cable listed in option is highly recommended for use with the camera. The camera and camera system
may not confirm to CE marking and FCC regulations if other type of cable is used with.
• If you use the above options, refer to the each installation manual.

qCMOS Camera C15550-20UP / C15550-20UP01 Instruction manual_Ver.1.3
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3. INSTALLATION
Avoid using or storing this camera in the following places
•
Places where the temperature is not the operating temperature indicated in the specifications
• Places where the temperature is not the storage temperature indicated in the specifications
• Places where the temperature varies greatly
• In direct sunlight or near a heater
• Places where the humidity levels are not the operating humidity levels indicated in the
specifications and where the camera may be exposed to liquid
• Places where the humidity levels are not the storage humidity levels indicated in the
specifications and where the camera may be exposed to liquid
• Close to a strong source of magnetism or radio waves
• Places where there are vibrations
• Places where the camera may come into contact with corrosive gases (such as chlorine or
fluorine)
• Places where there is a lot of dust
How to place the camera (when the camera is placed on a table)
Place the camera with the ventilation ports to sideways.
Ensure that there is sufficient airflow through the camera fan.
(Do not block ventilation openings.)
Do not allow the ventilation ports to become blocked.
To prevent the camera from overheating, do not wrap the camera in cloth or any
other material, or in any way allow the camera’s ventilation ports to become blocked.
If the camera is being operated in a closed environment, ensure clearance of at least
10 cm from both the intake and exhaust vents when setting up the camera.
Weight of the camera
Be careful not to drop the camera when moving it as the weights of C15550-20UP
and C15550-20UP01 are approx. 3.0 kg and 2.9 kg respectively.

qCMOS Camera C15550-20UP / C15550-20UP01 Instruction manual_Ver.1.3
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Contents
1. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS...................................................................................1
1-1 SYMBOLS ........................................................................................................................... 1
1-2 CLASSIFICATION OF WARNINGS .................................................................................... 1
2. CHECK THE CONTENTS OF PACKAGE..........................................................6
3. INSTALLATION..................................................................................................7
4. OVERVIEW.......................................................................................................10
5. FEATURES.......................................................................................................10
6. NAME AND FUNCTION OF PARTS ................................................................13
7. CONNECTION..................................................................................................16
8. WATER COOLING ...........................................................................................18
8-1 CAUTIONS ........................................................................................................................ 18
8-2 CONNECTION OF WATER COOLING HOSES ............................................................... 20
8-3 DISCONNECTION OF WATER COOLING HOSES ......................................................... 21
9. OPERATIONS ..................................................................................................22
9-1 OPERATING PRECAUTIONS .......................................................................................... 22
9-2 PREPARATING FOR IMAGING........................................................................................ 23
9-3 IMAGING ........................................................................................................................... 23
9-4 END OF IMAGING............................................................................................................. 23
9-5 STARTUP DCAM CONFIGURATOR ................................................................................ 24
9-6 UPDATE PROCEDURE OF COAXPRESS INTERFACE BOARD ................................... 26
10. DESCRIPTION OF CMOS IMAGE SENSOR ...................................................27
10-1 THEORY OF CMOS IMAGE SENSOR ............................................................................. 27
10-2 READOUT METHOD OF CMOS IMAGE SENSOR.......................................................... 28
10-3 PRECAUTION WHEN USING CMOS IMAGE SENSOR..................................................28
11. DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS FUNCTIONS ....................................................29
11-1 AREA READOUT MODE, PHOTON NUMBER RESOLVING MODE ................................29
11-2 LIGHTSHEET READOUT MODE...................................................................................... 48
11-3 REAL-TIME DEFECT PIXEL CORRECTION ................................................................... 56
11-4 DATA REDUCTION FUNCTIONS..................................................................................... 57
11-5 MASTER PULSE ............................................................................................................... 58
12. MAINTENANCE................................................................................................59