Binning; Exposure - Readout Modes; Figure 34. Binning And Array Orientation - Princeton Instruments ProEM+ EMCCD User Manual

Chapter 5

Binning

Binning (combining pixels into one super pixel) allows you to increase the sensitivity and
frame rate. On the other hand, binning reduces spatial resolution. ProEM+ supports
flexible vertical binning and binning of 2x-32x in the horizontal. When binning in WinX,
keep in mind that the resulting number of super pixels in the horizontal must be evenly
divisible by 4. This constraint does not apply in LightField.
Array Orientation
For square format CCDs (for example, 512 × 512 or 1024 × 1024) you may orient the
CCD to achieve binning along either direction of the CCD.

Binning along columns (parallel mode) provides maximum scan rate and lowest noise.

Binning along the rows (perpendicular mode) minimizes crosstalk and is therefore
better for multi-spectral applications. The drawback to this method is that scanning is
slower and noise may increase somewhat.
You can easily switch between these orientations by rotating the camera 90° and
changing the binning parameters in the application software.

Exposure - Readout Modes

The frame transfer CCDs used by the ProEM+:512B/BK and 1024B support Frame
Transfer, Full Frame (sequential), Kinetics, and Spectra-Kinetics readout modes. If you
are planning to use Frame Transfer mode, be aware that the set exposure time may not be
the effective exposure time. The full frame CCDs used by the ProEM+:1600
(4)
1600
Note: Kinetics and Spectra-Kinetics are typically options for the frame transfer ProEM+
cameras. For more information about these readout modes, see Kinetics Mode starting on
page 86, and Spectra-Kinetics (Option) starting on page 93.
Frame Transfer Mode (Simultaneous Exposure-Readout)
Frame Transfer mode is extremely useful in applications requiring continuous imaging
(100% duty cycle). Once a frame is exposed and transferred into the frame transfer area,
the next exposure immediately starts and continues until the previous frame is read out of
the frame transfer area or until the exposure time is finished, whichever is longer (so the

Figure 34. Binning and Array Orientation

support Full Frame and Kinetics readout modes.
Operation
(2)
and
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