Hamamatsu photonics C5909 series User manual

HIGH

SENSITIVITY

CCD CAMERA

ICCD CAMERA

WITH HIGH-SPEED ELECTRONIC SHUTTER

C5909 SERIES

OVER VIEW

Conventional high-speed shutter cameras cannot capture

objects other than strong light-emission ones unless those

objects are illuminated by powerful light, because the high-speed

shutter inevitably diminishes the amount of incident light when

operated. The Hamamatsu ICCD camera units, however, use an

image intensifier with high gain and ultra high-speed shuttering

functions, making it possible to measure images of ultra high-

speed phenomena with high sensitivity and fast time resolution.

APPLICATIONS

●Analyzing High-speed Light-emission Phenomena

• Combustion Flame of Engines • Discharge Event

• PDP • Plasma • Fluorescence

●Measuring Ultra Low-light-level Phenomena

• Microscope • Two-dimensional Spectroscopy

• Bio- and Chemiluminescence

●Observing High-speed Moving Objects

• Turbine Blade Motion • Injection

FEATURES

●High Speed Shutter....5 ns

[-06, -07, -08, -09]

●High Sensitivity

(Minimum Photocathode Illuminance: 4 ×10-7 lx

[MCP: 2-stage type])

●High Resolution of 450 TV Lines

[-10, -11, -12, -13]

●Adjustable Shutter Time by External Con-

trol Signal

●Long Accumulation Time (10 s Max.) on

CCD Chip (with C6687/Option)

[-06, -07, -08, -09, -10, -11, -12, -13]

●Built-in Over-light Protection Circuit

●Remote Control of Image Intensifier Gain

(with C5979/Option)

INTERNAL STRUCTURE

SELECTION GUIDE

SPECIFICATIONS

●OPTICS

The ICCD camera head consists of an image

intensifier with a ultra high-speed shuttering

function and a solid-state imaging device

(CCD) of interline transfer method directly

coupled by a fiber optic plate. The camera

head incorporates a shutter operation

controller, an over-light protection circuit and a

power supply for the image intensifier.

CCD DRIVE

CIRCUIT

HIGH-

VOLTAGE

POWER

SUPPLY/

CONTROL

CIRCUIT FOR

IMAGE

INTENSIFIER

HIGH-SPEED

GATE DRIVE

CIRCUIT/

CONTROL

CIRCUIT

LOW-VOLTAGE

POWER SUPPLY

CIRCUIT

PROXIMITY FOCUSED IMAGE INTENSIFIER

C-MOUNT

FIBER OPTIC PLATE

CCD

INCIDENT

LIGHT

VIDEO

SIGNAL

TAPPC0048EA

●IMAGE INTENSIFIER

●SHUTTER

Signal system Effective

imaging area

(mm)

EIA

C5909

C5909-02

C5909-06

C5909-08

C5909-10

C5909-12

Parameter

C5909, -01

Lens Mount (Flange Back)

Effective Imaging Area

CCD Transfer Method

CCD Image Storage Method

Image Intensifier to CCD Coupling Method

12.8 ×9.6

C5909-02, -03

8.8 ×6.6

C5909-06, -07

C-Mount (17.526 mm)

Interline Transfer

Frame (or Field)

Fiber Optic Plate Coupling

C5909-08, -09 C5909-10, -11 C5909-12, -13

12.8 ×9.6

CCIR

C5909-01

C5909-03

C5909-07

C5909-09

C5909-11

C5909-13

12.8 ×9.6

8.8 ×6.6

12.8 ×9.6

Spectral

response

(nm)

185 to 850

370 to 920

Shutter time

1 µs Min.

5 ns Min.

100 ns Min.

Maximum Shutter

repetition

frequency

2 kHz

1 kHz

Stage of

MCPs NOTE

Unit

—

Parameter

C5909, -01

Spectral Response

Photo-

cathode

Input Window Material

Phosphor Screen Material

Image Magnification

Minimum Photocathode Illuminance

Limiting Resolution

Luminous Sensitivity

Radiant Sensitivity at 430 nm

Radiant Sensitivity at 550 nm

Quantum Efficiency at 400 nm

C5909-02, -03

185 to 850

150

Synthetic Silica

P-43

4 ×10-5

420

C5909-06, -07

185 to 850

150

Synthetic Silica

P-43

420

C5909-08, -09 C5909-10, -11 C5909-12, -13

Unit

µA/lm

mA/W

—

TV lines

Standard

2/3" CCD

High-speed shutter

High-speed shutter and high gain

Extended NIR sensitivity

Extended NIR sensitivity and high gain

4 ×10-5 4 ×10-7

370 to 920

1000

123 (at 600 nm)

152 (at 830 nm)

25 (at 600 nm)

Borosilicate Glass

P-43

450

1 ×10-6 4 ×10-7

Parameter

C5909, -01

Internal Synchronized Shuttering Time

External

Shutter

Shuttering Time

Shuttering Time Setting

Input Impedance

Maximum Shutter Repetition

Shutter Delay Time

Shutter Repetition Limit

Shutter Off Time Limit

C5909-02, -03

1 to 300

(Manual selection for 6 modes)

1 µs to DC

TTL Positive Logic, FWHM Value

70 ±5

—

0.005 to 100

(Manual selection for 6 modes)

5 ns to DC

TTL Positive Logic, FWHM Value

0.1

70 ±5

0.1 to 300

(Manual selection for 6 modes)

100 ns to DC

TTL Positive Logic, FWHM Value

70 ±5

—

C5909-06, -07 C5909-08, -09 C5909-10, -11 C5909-12, -13

Unit

µs

—

kΩ

kHz Max.

—

At repetition rates higher than

2 kHz. The image intensifier is

turned off. The protection indi-

cator (green LED) is turned on.

At repetition rates higher than

2 kHz. The image intensifier is

turned off. The protection indi-

cator (green LED) is turned on.

At recovery times (shutter off)

less then 150 µs the image

intensifier is turned off.

The protection indicator (green

LED) is turned on.

At repetition rates higher than

1 kHz. The image intensifier is

turned off. The protection indi-

cator (green LED) is turned on.

SPECIFICATIONS

●CCD CAMERA

●OVER-LIGHT PROTECTION (OLP), AUTO GAIN CONTROL (AGC)

●CONTROL METHOD

●POWER SUPPLY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS

Parameter

Effective Number of Cells (H ×V)

CCD Gain

Total γCharacteristics

Scanning Frequency/Horizontal

Scanning Frequency/Vertical

Scanning

Video Out

Synchronization Method

External Synchronization Input

Allowable External Synchronized Frequency Deviation

(Adjust Horizontal Synchronized Frequency)

Jitter (Adjust Horizontal Synchronized Frequency)

EIASignal System 768 ×494

15.734 ± 0.157 34

59.94 ± 0.5994

525 lines, 2: 1 interlace

Imaging System

Adjust by the knob at the rear panel

1.0 (Switchable to 0.45)

1.0 V p-p, 75 Ωunbalanced

Internal/External (Auto Selection by the Input Signal)

S, VS (SYNC Level: 0.3 V p-p), HV/VD (HD/VD level: 2 V to 5 V p-p) (Auto Selection by the Input Signal)

±1

±50

CCIR Unit

—

kHz

—

ns Max.

752 ×582

15.625 ± 0.156 25

50 ± 0.5

625 lines, 2: 1 interlace

Parameter

Detection Method

Control Method

AGC Operation

OLP Operation

Delay Time for protection circuit to

function after the event of over-light

AGC (Auto Gain Control) Monitor

Over-light Protection Reset Input

Operation

Indication

Operation

Indication

Detect the average value of video signals

Control the image intensifier gain

Change the image intensifier gain to maintain the output image of image intensifier brightness at a constant level

PROTECTION LED (red) flashes

Turn off the image intensifier

PROTECTION LED (red) light up continuously

500 ms Max.

TTL negative logic,AUX connector pin No. 4 (During AGC)

Input impedance: 1 kΩ, TTL positive Logic

Description/Value

Parameter

Gain Control

(Image Intensifier)

Shutter

Operation

External Synchronization

by HD, VD

Internal Synchronization Mode (INT Mode)

External Pulse Control Mode (PULSE Mode)

Normal Mode

Camera Head Rear Panel

5-pin AUX Connector

Manual (10-rotation vernier knob)

(Not adjustable when the protection circuit is in operation)

+5 V dc to +9 V dc

Internal frame signal (VD signal) synchronization

Shutter timing is controlled by the width of external pulses

Continuous operation (shutter open)

Pulse height: 2 to 4 V p-p

Input Impedance: 75 Ω

TTL: synchronization negative

Pulse width: 10 µs or over

Frequency: 15.73 kHz ±0.3 kHz (15.625 kHz ±0.3 kHz) A

Pulse height: 2 V to 4 V p-p

Input Impedance: 75 Ω

TTL: synchronization negative

Pulse width: 200 µs or over

Frequency: 59.94 Hz ±1.2 Hz (50 Hz ±1 Hz) A

Description/Value

Parameter

Power Supply

Power Consumption

Operating Ambient

Condition

Storage Temperature

Weight

Dimensional

Outline

Accessory

A( ): CCIR signal system

Video monitors for use in Japan conform to EIAsignal system.

Temperature

Humidity

C5909, -01, -02, -03, -10, -11, -12, -13

C5909-06, -07, -08, -09

C5909, -01, -02, -03, -10, -11, -12, -13

C5909-06, -07, -08, -09

+12 (+10.5 to +15)

4.4

0 to +40

RH 70 or below (without moisture condensation)

-20 to +50

1040

1070

66(W) ×71(H) ×216.8(D) (Excluding projection part)

66(W) ×68(H) ×216.8(D) (Excluding projection part)

Lens Mount Cap, Instruction Manual, Test and Inspection data

V dc

W Max.

°C

% RH

°C

—

Description/Value Unit

CHARACTERISTICS

●Spectral Response

●Image Quality Specification

TII B0013EB

C5909, -01, -02, -03, -06, -07, -08, -09

100

0.1

0.01

100 200 300 600400 500 800700 900 1000

WAVELENGTH (nm)

RADIANT SENSITIVITY (mA/W)

TII B0089EA

C5909-10, -11, -12, -13

WAVELENGTH (nm)

RADIANT SENSITIVITY (mA/W)

300

0.1

100

1000

400 500 600 700 800 900 1000

4/3H

0.8H

H: 9.6 mm

(In case of C5909-02, -03 H: 6.6 mm)

Equivalent

D number

of TV lines

Equivalent

D number

of TV lines

D >16

D >12

D > 8

D > 4

Number allowed Number allowed

ZONE

●Black Spot

ZONE

●White Spot

*: Spot less than 1 TV line in size are counted only when concentration gives a

smudged or dirty appearance.

TAPPA0021EA

TAPPA0029EC

TAPPC0006EB TAPPC0043EA

DIMENSIONAL OUTLINES (Unit: mm)

●Connector Pin Locations

C5909, -01, -02, -03, -10, -11, -12, -13

C5909-06, -07, -08, -09

12-Pin Multi Connector 5-Pin AUX Connector

210 8

311 12 7

456

54 2

43 1 MAX.

FRAME INTEGRATION

SWITCH

7421

1.8 190

50.8

26.8 66 4–M3

LENS MOUNT

(C-MOUNT)

MOUNTING SCREW (1/4"-20UNC)

11 60

216.8

AGC/PROTECT INDICATOR (LED)

CCD GAIN

ADJUSTABLE KNOB

SHUTTER TIME

SETTING SWITCH

SHUTTER MODE SELECTION SWITCH

IMAGE INTENSIFIER GAIN

ADJUSTABLE KNOB

VIDEO OUT

CONNECTOR (BNC) DC IN/SYNC

CONNECTOR (12 PIN)

VIDEO OUT DC IN/SYNC

AUX CONNECTOR (5 PIN)

AUX

I.I. GAIN

AGC/

PROTECT

CCD GAIN

SHUTTER MODE

PIN No.

* In order to obtain HD/VD outputs, internal switch must be changed.

GND

+12 V dc (Input)

Video Out (GND)

Video Out (Signal)

—

VS Input (Signal)

Shutter Input (GND)

Shutter Input (Signal)

GND

+12 V dc (Input)

V/S Input (GND)

HD/VD

GND

+12 V dc (Input)

Video Out (GND)

Video Out (Signal)

HD Input (GND)

HD Input (Signal)

VD Input (Signal)

Shutter Input (GND)

Shutter Input (Signal)

GND

+12 V dc (Input)

VD Input (GND)

Restart/Reset

PIN No.

GND

+12 V dc (Input)

Video Out (GND)

Video Out (Signal)

HD Input (GND)

HD Input (Signal)

Reset (Signal)

Shutter Input (GND)

Shutter Input (Signal)

GND

+12 V dc (Input)

Reset (GND)

Signal

I.I. Gain Control (Input)

(+5 V dc to +9 V dc)

Reset Input

+12 V dc (Output)

AGC Monitor (Output)

GND

External Synchronization Mode Synchronized Signal *

Output

GND

+12 V dc (Input)

Video Out (GND)

Video Out (Signal)

HD Output (GND)

HD Output (Signal)

VD Output (Signal)

Shutter Input (GND)

Shutter Input (Signal)

GND

+12 V dc (Input)

VD Input (GND)

50 190

AGC/PROTECT INDICATOR (LED)

50.8 20

40.8 40 4–M3

LENS MOUNT

(C-MOUNT)

CCD GAIN ADJUSTABLE

KNOB

SHUTTER TIME

SETTING SWITCH

SHUTTER MODE SELECTION SWITCH

IMAGE INTENSIFIER

GAIN ADJUSTABLE KNOB

VIDEO OUT

(BNC) DC IN/SYNC

(12 PIN)

MOUNTING SCREW (1/4"-20UNC)

860

VIDEO OUT DC IN/SYNC

I.I. GAIN

AGC/

PROTECT

CCD GAIN

SHUTTER MODE

AUX CONNECTOR (5 PIN)

AUX

216.8

66 1.8

FRAME INTEGRATION

SWITCH [-10, -11, -12, -13]

ACCESSORIES FOR CONNECTION

Dimensional Outlines (Unit: mm)

Camera Controller C6687

Remote Gain Controller C5979

TAPPC0093EA

TAPPA0034EC

TAPPA0028EA

POWER

75Ω

RST

OFF

VIDEO

OUT CLOCK OUT

AC IN

EXT-SYNC

150

220

MEMORY TIMING OUTPUT

STROBO TRIGGER OUTPUT

SHUTTER TIME SELECTION DIAL

TRIGGER MODE SELECTION SWITCH

TRIGGER INPUT

CONTROL

CONNECTOR

CAMERA

CONNECTOR

POWER SWITCH

HD IN/OUT

EXTERNAL

SHUTTERING IN

VIDEO OUT

VD/RESET IN/OUT

AC INLET

GAIN

RESET

AGC

GAIN CONTROLLER

125 32

2000

AUX CONNECTOR

PLUG

The C6687 is a camera controller with a frame memory for long time

exposure, designed exclusively for the C5909-06, -08, -10, -12. By

simply supplying an external trigger signal, the C6687 controls sophis-

ticated functions for long time exposure and stores still images. The

C6687 also has a wide range of shutter time settings from 1/30 up to

1000 seconds.

The input/output synchronization in the frame memory is separate, so

the standard output format is maintained even if the synchronization

signal input from the camera is changed to a special format by restart

reset. This makes connections to a general monitor TV and image pro-

cessor easier.

The C5979 is designed to remotely control

the gain of the image intensifier in the C5909.

Besides image intensifier gain control, the

C5979 has an AGC (auto gain control) dis-

play and a reset switch of over-light protec-

tion has been triggered.

C5909 SERIES

DC IN/SYNC

AUX

5 PIN

CABLE

GAIN CONTROL,

RESET OF OVER-LIGHT

PROTECTION

AGC MONITOR

REMOTE GAIN

CONTROLLER

C5979

CAMERA CONTROLLER C6687

12 PIN CABLE

VIDEO OUT ×2

HD/VD IN

EXTERNAL

SHUTTERING IN

A5963 : 2 m

A5963-01: 5 m

A5963-02: 10 m

A5963-03: 25 m

100 V ac to 120 V ac

AC ADAPTOR A7802,-01

VIDEO OUT ×2

HD/VD IN

EXTERNAL

SHUTTERING IN

100 V ac to 120 V ac (A7802)

200 V ac to 240 V ac (A7802-01)

C-MOUNT LENS

(1 INCH-BASED)

Applicable to

C5909-06, -08, -10, -12

Camera Controller C6687 Remote Gain Controller C5979

SHUTTER OPERATION OF IMAGE INTENSIFIER

Internal Synchronization (INT) Mode

Internal Synchronization Shutter Timing Chart

Shutter Operation by External Trigger Pulse

TAPPC0084EA

TAPPC0085EA

Of the paramount importance to the CCD's shutter operation is how the operational timing of the shutter is matched

with the synchronization of the CCD. When the shutter is operated in external synchronization (EXT) modes, it is nec-

essary to consider the synchronization with the data transfer time and the readout time of the CCD . (Refer to P11)

Shutter operation on the EIA signal system is described below.

If the shutter mode selection switch of the camera head is set to "INT", the C5909 series executes the matching of shutter operation

with vertical synchronization of the CCD. The shutter timing at this time is shown below.

In this mode, the shutter opens after approximately 1 ms from the beginning (VIDEO READ EDGE) of vertically synchronizing pulses

of even fields in video signals.

In the frame storage mode, an electric charge that has been stored for 1/30 second from the beginning of each vertically synchroniz-

ing pulses is transferred and read out at the beginning of the next frame. Therefore, when the shutter opens concurrent with a vertical

synchronization signal, it follows that two phenomena at the different timing are accummulated as one image each fields. To acquire

an image at the same timing on both fields by frame storage, the shutter must operate in synchronization with a field index signal

(1/30 s), so the internal settings need to be changed. (See "Frame storage and field storage" on page 11.)

In the field storage mode, on the other hand, an electric charge that has been stored in the CCD in the current field (1/60 second) is

transferred and read out at the beginning of the next field. The transfer time of the CCD is approximately 80 µs, and electric charge

transfer commences within approximately 300 µs after the video read edge.

Therefore, if the shutter operates in a state that the shutter time is across that transfer time (80 µs), image data will be separately out-

put in two frames. To prevent this, the shutter operation commences after 1 ms from each video read edge.

External (EXT) Mode

To use EXT mode, set the shutter mode selector to "EXT". In this mode, the shutter operates by supplying a TTL level, positive logic pulse

to pin No. 9 of the 12-pin connector on the rear panel of the camera head. The shutter time is equal to the input pulse width and the shutter

operates at a timing with a delay of less than 100 ns relative to the TTL pulse input. Operating conditions in this mode are shown below.

In the frame storage mode (default setting), an electrical charge stored in the odd-numbered pixels during the periods 1and 2is read

out at B. An electrical charge stored in the even-numbered pixels during the periods 2and 3is read out at C. (See page 11.)

It is therefore necessary to set the operational timing of the shutter in such a manner that it operates after 1 ms from the video read

edge. (OUT signal, shown in figure, as a trigger signal.) If the shutter opens within the prohibitive shutter operating range of 1 ms after

the video read edge, its video data is output and divided in two fields. In this situation, the heights of pulses that are output in each field

do not become uniform, thereby causing the screen image to flicker. Care should be taken. In the field storage mode, an electric charge

that has been stored in 1is output as video data in Afield, and one that has been stored in 2is output as video data in Bfield.

Normal Mode

In this mode, the shutter operation of the image intensifier cannot be executed, regardless of whether or not external pulses are input. There-

fore, Hamamatsu ICCD camera units are considered as high-sensitivity CCD TV cameras that provide shutter operation at 1/30 s intervals,

the same read time as that of a CCD camera, in the case of frame storage mode. The shuttering interval in the field storage mode is 1/60 s.

VIDEO

READ EDGE

VIDEO OUT

SHUTTER

TRIGGER TIMING

RANGE

VD OUT

VIDEO

READ EDGE VIDEO

READ EDGE

EVEN NUMBER

FIELD ODD NUMBER

FIELD

EVEN NUMBER

FIELD VIDEO

READ EDGE

1 ms 1 ms

1/60 s

4321

SHUTTER

OPERATING RANGE

PROHIBITED SHUTTER

OPERATING RANGE

1 ms 1 ms

VIDEO

READ EDGE

VIDEO OUT

SHUTTER

TIMING

(FIELD STORAGE)

SHUTTER

TIMING

(FRAME STORAGE)

VIDEO

READ EDGE VIDEO

READ EDGE

EVEN NUMBER

FIELD

ODD NUMBER

FIELD

EVEN NUMBER

FIELD

SINK VERTICALLY

SYNCHRONIZING PULSE 1 ms1 ms1 ms

SHUTTER TIME (Max. 300 µs*)

1/60 s (16.6 ms)

1/30 s (33.3 ms)

* -06, -07, -08, -09: 100 µs

SHUTTER TIME (Max. 300 µs*)

FIELD

INDEX High

Low

EXTERNAL SYNCHRONIZATION OF CCD

External Synchronization by HD and VD

External Synchronization Input Conditions

TAPPC0086EA

TAPPC0087EA

When carrying out data processing using an image processor, it is necessary to match the CCD's synchroniza-

tion with the image processor. In the camera control unit, such synchronization matching is accomplished by a

horizontally synchronizing signal (HD), a vertically synchronizing signal (VD).

Figure shows the input conditions of externally synchronizing pulses (HD, VD). When receiving external HD and VD pulses, the inter-

nal synchronization mode automatically switches to the external synchronization mode. Odd and even fields are determined by the

input timing of a VD pulse with respect to an pulse.

As Figure shows, when the VD fall time between the advance phase of 15.2 µs and the delay phase of 16.5 µs with respect to the HD

fall edge, odd fields come in effect. When the VD fall edge with respect to a half point from the HD fall time is between the advance

phase of 15.2 µs and the delay phase of 16. 5 µs, even fields come in effect.

Long time exposure by restart reset (available for the C5909-06, -07, -08, -09, -10, -11, -12, -13)

HD and reset pulse input conditions

Restart reset (R. R.) allows extracting information on single image at the desired time width and time. The R. R. mode is enabled by

turning on the PRINT switch on the top of the camera. Output can be obtained by supplying HD and reset signals to pins No. 6 and

No. 7 of the 12-pin connector respectively.

The HD and reset signals must be supplied when the PRINT switch is turned on. The C6687 camera controller (option) provides the

HD and reset signal output, facilitating long time exposure operation on the CCD chip.

15.2 µs16.5 µs

(218) (236)

15.2 µs16.5 µs

(218) (236)

1/2H

* The figures within ( ) are the number of clocks.

ODD

FIELD

EVEN

FIELD

63.5 µs

(910)

HD....pulse height: 2 V p-p to 4 V p-p

Input impedance: 1 kΩ

TTL pulse width: 10 µs or over

Frequency: 15.734 kHz +0.157 34 kHz

VD....pulse height: 2 V p-p to 4 V p-p

Input impedance: 1 kΩ

TTL pulse width: 200 µs or over

Frequency: 59.94 Hz +0.5994 Hz

Continuous

Pulse

2 to 4 pulses (depends on operation mode)

●Frequency (cycle)

•HD 15.734 kHz ±0.157 34 kHz (63.56 µs ±0.6356 µs)

[CCIR: 15.625 kHz ±0.156 25 kHz (64 µs ±0.64 µs)]

●Phase

•Same as the HD, VD mode phase conditions. Refer to their conditions.

•VD 244 to 1023 1/2 H [CCIR: 294 to 1023 1/2 H]

63.5 µs

[64 µs]

Desired time from 244 to 1023 1/2H [CCIR: 294 to 1023 1/2H]

2 to 4 pulse

TERMINOLOGY

Photocathode

A photoelectric surface which emits photoelectrons in

response to light. Different spectral response characteristics

can be selected by an appropriate combination of the photo-

cathode and window materials.

Photocathode Sensitivity

Luminous: The photoelectric current from the photocathode

per the input light flux from a tungsten lamp at 2856K. This is

expressed in microamperes per lumen (µA/lm)

Radiant: The photoelectric current from the photocathode per

the power of the input monochromatic light. This is expressed

in milliamperes per watt (mA/W) at a wavelength of interest.

Spectral Response

The photocathode sensitivity varies with wavelength. This rela-

tionship between sensitivity and wavelength is called the spec-

tral response characteristic.

Phosphor Screen

A screen which emits light when bombarded by electrons.

Fiber Optic Plate

Fiber optic plates are optical image transmission elements of

bundles of fine optical fibers in a parallel array.

MCP (Microchannel Plate)

An MCP is a secondary electron multiplier consisting of an

array of millions of glass capillaries (channels) fused into the

from of a thin disk 0.48 mm thick and 25 mm in diameter. The

diameter of each channel is 12 µm. As shown in the figures

below, when an electron enters and hits the channel wall, sec-

ondary electrons are produced from the channel wall. These

electrons are then accelerated by the potential gradient and

strike the opposite wall to produce additional secondary elec-

trons. As a result of these collisions repeated many times

along the channel, a large number of electrons are produced,

up to several thousand times the input number.

An MCP contains approximately 1.5 million channels, each of

which corresponds to a picture element and is simultaneously

intensified.

Illuminance

This is the luminous flux density on a photocathode, and is usu-

ally expressed in units of lumen per square meter (lm/m2). 1

lm/m2equals to 1 lx.

Photocathode Illuminance and Object Illuminance

When viewing a perfect diffusion surface of reflectivity R using

a lens of brightness (F-number) FNand transmittance TL, the

photocathode illuminance E is given by the following formula.

where E0is the object illuminance.

When FN= 2.8, TL= 0.6 and R = 0.5, the ratio of the photo-

cathode illuminance is:

Resolution

The ability to project a fine, clear image on a monitor screen. If

resolution is low enough, the output image shades off. Resolu-

tion is expressed in how many line pairs of thin black and white

stripes, whose pitch is predetermined, can be seen in 1 mm.

Each line pair is expressed in lp, so the unit is lp/mm.

In the case of TV, black and white stripes are counted individu-

ally so they are not called a line pair but called TV lines as the

unit. TV resolution is divided into horizontal resolution and verti-

cal resolution. The number of stripes is counted with respect to

the vertical height of a TV screen as the vertical resolution.

The pitch of these stripes is simply used as the horizontal reso-

lution.

The limited number of TV lines to which those lines become

invisible as stripes is called limited resolution.

Spatial resolution of an image intensifier changes according to

incident light level to a photocathode as shown in the figure

below. When a photocathode illuminance is below 10-4 lx, even

if a gain of the image intensifier is raised, light spots on a

phosphor screen becomes brighter, but spatial resolution is not

improved. For improvement of spatial resolution, it is essential

to increase incident light to photocathode by using a brighter

input optics. At an illuminance darker than 10-5 lx, it is effective

to use photon counting imaging using C5909-08 with two

MCPs to capture the output image with high resolution.

CHANNELS

CHANNEL WALL

INCIDENT

ELECTRON OUTPUT

ELECTRON

Structure of MCP Resolution Characteristic

Multiplication Principle of MCP

TMCPC0002EC

10-6 5555

10-5 10-4 10-3 10-2

OBJECT CONTRAST: 100 %

OBJECT CONTRAST: 20 %

RESOLUTION (lp/mm)

PHOTOCATHODE ILLUMINATION (lx)

TII B0090EA

OUTPUT

ELECTRODE

INPUT ELECTRODE

E ≅(lx)

E0•R•TL

4•FN2

E01

100

≅

TERMINOLOGY

Distortion

The geometric distortion results from the difference between

the magnification of the image at the center and at periphery

and is given by:

where

M0 = the magnification in 1.0 mm area on the axis of the tube

M80 = the magnification at a point of 80 % of the photocathode

radius from the center.

AGC (Auto Gain Control)

If the input light intensity increases so that more than 50 % of

the screen is saturated, AGC automatically reduces the built-in

image intensifier gain to maintain the video signal at a constant

level. While the AGC operation is activated, the image intensifi-

er gain will not be at the preset value and quantitative measure-

ment is no longer possible. In addition, the video level will not

be maintained at a constant level but will vary slightly when the

image is switched. So, AGC should be viewed only as a protec-

tive function against excessive input light levels.

Over-light Protection Circuit (OLP)

When strong light is incident to an image intensifier in opera-

tion, the image intensifier may be damaged. Therefore, an

over-light protection circuit is incorporated, which automatically

turns the power off when the light exceeding a certain level is

incident (such as sunlight and brightly illuminated room). When

this circuit operates, the output phosphor screen abruptly

becomes dark. However, if the incident light becomes low, the

I.I. operating circuit does not operate, which cannot be recov-

ered unless the power switch is turned on back again.

ICCD (Intensified Charge coupled Device) Camera

Hamamatsu ICCD camera is a high-sensitivity TV camera in

which an image intensifier and a CCD are coupled optically

with a fiber optic plate.

The image intensifier is an electron tube for very low-light-level

that intensifies an input image from several thousand to several

ten thousand times. The CCD is a solid state imaging device

that applies pulse voltages in succession to many electrodes

arrayed in close to each other on a semiconductor substrate to

transfer the electric charge generated by the input image.

Interlaced Scanning

A scanning method used in TV is alternately jump over some

horizontal scanning lines and repeat the scanning of a coarse

image several times to create a clear image for the purpose of

reducing screen flickering. One alternate horizontal scanning

line jumping has widely been used as a world-standard TV

scanning method.

Synchronous separation circuit

A circuit that separates multiple synchronizing signals from mul-

tiple image signals to take out vertical and horizontal synchro-

nizing signals. Since there is the amplitude difference between

synchronizing signal and imaging signal, base-clip and bias

type synchronous separation circuits using the amplitude dif-

ference has widely been used.

Field

An incomplete image that is created by one vertical scanning

in TV. Japanese TV system uses 525 scanning lines and 30

frames per second. As shown below, the first scanning is alter-

nately done over scanning lines 1, 2, 3, 4, and the like. The

next one is alternately done over 263', 264, 265', 266', and the

like so that these scanning lines enter between the first scan-

ning lines, to create one complete frame (called interlaced

scanning). Fields represented by solid lines are called odd

fields. The others represented by dotted lines are called even

fields. One complete frame, therefore, consists of two fields.

Synchronizing Signal

A signal that is used to synchronize a reproducible operation

on the reception side with that on the transmission side in an

image data transmission system. A TV system needs two

types of synchronizing signals in horizontal and vertical direc-

tions, the signals of which are called horizontal synchronizing

signal and vertical synchronizing signal, respectively. These

two signals synchronized into one is called composite synchro-

nizing signal.

Synchronous Coupling

A mutual relation between two or more systems including differ-

ent synchronizing signal generators that carries out complete

tuning of synchronizing signals. It is generally for tuning the fre-

quency and the phase of those synchronizing signals.

Gamma (γ)

The maximum slope value of output light with respect to input

light in an imaging device, both X axis and Y axis of which are

logarithmic. A slope of the output current with respect to the

incident light flux on a photocathode, plotted on both logarith-

mic axes, is called the transfer characteristic, and its maximum

slope value is gamma.

TAPPC0088EA

M80 - M0

Distortion = ×100 (%)

DIAMETER

2' ACTUAL INTERLACED SCANNING FOR 525 TV LINES

PRINCIPLE INTERLACED SCANNING

263'

264'

265'

266'

522'

523'

524'

525'

260

261

262

263

TAPPC0089EA

263'

264'

265'

266'

522'

523'

524'

525'

260

261

262

263

FRAME STORAGE AND FIELD STORAGE

TAPPC0090EA

TAPPC0091EA

TAPPB0067EA

TAPPC0092EA

Frame Storage

A CCD-element storage mode whose storage time unit is frame and that stores CCD ele-

ments for 1/30 second. In odd fields, odd-number pixel signals among those of the photo-

sensitive surface are alternately transferred to the vertical transfer CCD during a field

shift (operation of transferring signal charges from the photosensitive surface to the verti-

cal transfer CCD). Then, a line shift takes place, and the odd-number pixel signals are

read in succession to the output terminal. During this period, however, the pixel on even

fields continue to undertake photoelectric conversion and store electric charges. When

the reading of the odd-number pixels is complete, it is turned to even fields. During a

field shift, even-number pixel signals are all transferred to the even-number pixel signals

is complete, the odd-number pixel signals are then read out again.

Field Storage

Another CCD-element storage mode whose storage time unit is field and that storages

CCD elements for 1/60 second. In odd field, the transfer section simultaneously adds up

odd-number pixel signals and the next even-number pixel signals from the horizontal

transfer CCD side and reads them out together. In even fields, the addition combination

is charged and the transfer section adds up even-number pixel signals and the next odd-

number pixel signals from the horizontal transfer CCD side and reads them out together.

In this case, the signals of all pixels at the photosensitive surface are read out by one

field each.

RELATION BETWEEN FOCAL LENGTH OF LENS FOR TV AND OBJECT RANGE

When the focal length of a lens for TV and the distance to an

object are determined, the range in which the lens can capture

the object can be calculated by the following equation.

When you want to have a one-frame image by one shuttering operation, the frame storage mode is necessary. This is because the

light incident on the photosensitive surface is stored at the same time in both odd and even fields. In the field storage mode, the shut-

ter needs to be open twice and cannot take scenes of the same time at once. It means that different images are taken to came out in

the odd and even fields in the case of a moving object, thereby causing image flickering and so resulting in a bad-looking image.

Distance from 1-inch TV Lens to Object and Object Size

100

0.90

0.80

0.70

0.60

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20

0.09

0.08

0.07

0.06

0.05

0.04

0.5 0.5 1.5 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

910 15 20 25 30 40 150 20050

60 70

90100

0.10

1.5

DISTANCE TO OBJECT: L (m)

(OBJECT WIDTH: W) = 4/3 ×(OBJECT HEIGHT: H)

OBJECT HEIGHT: H (m)

400

300

250

200

160

144

100

12.5

LENS FOCAL LENGTH: f (mm)

8.8 ×L

6.6 ×L

f9.6 ×L

12.8 ×L

OthersC5909-02, -03

Type

No.

f: lens (mm)

W: object width (mm)

H: object height (mm)

L: distance to object (mm)

ICCD

FLD1

FLD2

Scanning

Relation between Storage Time and Video Output

1/60 s

V.D.

VIDEO

OUT 2

FLD1 FLD2

1/60 s

V.D.

VIDEO

OUT 2

1 2

Scanning

Relation between Storage Time and Video Output

TAPP1030E01

NOV. 2000 IP

(2000)

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