Lambert Instruments recently introduced an intensified high-speed camera, the HI-CAM. The HI-CAM images up to 1825 frames per second at lightlevels down to 10-4 lux. It allows the transient image recording of rapidly changing faint phenomena at high spatial and high time resolution. At the same time the camera offers single photon detection capability and shutter times down to 100 ns.
To achieve this the HI-CAM is equipped with a high gain, high output brightness, two stage image intensifier fiber-optically coupled to a CMOS image sensor. Many different intensifier configurations are available. Depending on the specific application a model can be selected for spectral sensitivity, gain, linearity, gating and other specific requirements. The intensifier has a special fast phosphor screen to avoid smear effects.
The HI-CAM is capable of recording images with variable frame rates and 3 selectable image sizes. During recording the images are stored in the buffer memory (512MB) of the camera. After recording the image data are transferred to the computer for viewing and analysis. A continuous image rate of approx. 15 frames per second is available for set-up and focusing. The use of the gating option of the intensifier allows fast exposure times down to 100ns, "freezing" even the fastest moving objects.
The camera and intensifier settings are fully software controlled via an RS-232 interface while the images are transferred to the computer via a digital frame-grabber.
For more information, visit http://www.lambert-instruments.com.