Fast low-light level imaging

17 May 2006 Opto-Electronics

An innovative solid-state CCD sensor is available from OEN Enterprises that enables very low light level imaging at TV frame rates and above without the limitations of vacuum tube-based systems.

The sensors benefit from a conventional, high performance CCD structure, combined with a novel on-chip amplification technique, which provides up to one thousand times amplification in the charge domain. The on-chip gain register overcomes the fundamental noise limitations of traditional on-chip charge to voltage conversion and off-chip video amplification stages. Imaging under overcast starlight conditions (0,1 mLux scene) or the detection of single photons at video frame rates, is now possible using the totally solid-state technology.

The CCDs detect the incident photon flux directly in the silicon pixel without a photo cathode or external photoelectron acceleration/multiplication stages. The direct detection retains the high imaging resolution of a conventional CCD while offering the gain normally expected from image-intensified and electron-bombarded CCDs.

A robust imaging solution is provided, as the sensors are not damaged by over exposure, says OEN Enterprises. The on-chip gain can be controlled by an applied bias voltage, giving a high degree of flexibility to respond to changing light levels. The sensors can be used in high light level conditions, just like a conventional CCD, and transfer smoothly and rapidly to extremely demanding low light situations.

Cameras are available that utilise this feature within the automatic gain control circuitry and so, using an appropriate lens, provide true 24-hour video capability from a single sensor.

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