Overview; Features - Hamamatsu Photonics C11440-36U Instruction Manual

C11440-36U Instruction Manual Ver.1.1

4. OVERVIEW

C11440-36U is a USB 3.0 Output and non-cooling digital camera, which is equipped with
Global Shutter CMOS image sensor. C11440-36U realizes the multiple benefits of high
resolution, high readout speed, and low noise all at once.
C11440-36U provides 2.3 megapixels resolution at 64.9 fps (and up to 2008.9 fps by
sub-array readout) while achieving 6.6 electrons (r.m.s.) readout noise performance.
Moreover, the camera delivers high sensitivity through its on-chip micro lens, 5000:1 high
dynamic range, on-chip analog gain and correction feature that make the camera suitable
for almost any scientific application from bright field imaging to low-light fluorescence
imaging across a wide spectral range. Various external trigger functions and timing output
functions ensure proper timing control with peripheral equipment to cover a wide range of
applications.
C11440-36U is the new scientific digital camera for life science microscopy, semiconductor
inspection, x-ray scintillator readout or industrial imaging.

5. FEATURES

(1) Readout noise
With the CMOS image sensor in the camera, the pixel amplifier is optimized: it has high
gain from optimizing the semiconductor process, and the difference among pixel
amplifiers is greatly minimized. In addition, there is the on-chip CDS (correlated double
sampling) circuit, which plays an important role in achieving low noise. Moreover, the
data of one horizontal line is read by the on-chip column amplifier and A/D in parallel
and simultaneously. As a result, it achieves very fast readout speed while keeping very
good low-noise performance.
The camera has lower readout noise (6.6 electrons) than the conventional CCD
camera. Moreover, high-speed readout (64.9 fps with 2.3 megapixels) with very low
readout noise can now be achieved.
(2) Global shutter
In general, rolling shutter method is commonly used as the exposure and the readout
mode of the CMOS image sensor. In this method, the exposure timing is varied by
each line. This variation can cause distortion when capturing a moving subject.
On the other hand, a global shutter method is applied in this camera. Thereby the
exposure timing is same at the all lines.
(3) Pixel number and pixel size
The CMOS image sensor has 5.86 µm x 5.86 µm pixel sizes that is equivalent to
conventional CCD image sensor (2/3 inch, 1.3 megapixels). Also, the camera can
observe a wider field of view because the pixel number, 1.3 megapixels, is about 1.7
times that of the conventional CCD image sensor (2/3 inch, 1.3 megapixels).
(4) Readout method
The camera has a variety of readout modes. In addition to full resolution readout mode,
sub-array readout and binning readout are supported.
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