Hamamatsu digital camera for fluorescence microscopy
The ORCA-Flash2.8 camera from Hamamatsu Photonics (Bridgewater, NJ) features a FL-280 CMOS image sensor, which offers 2.8 Mpixels and a 3.63 × 3.63 µm pixel size. Wavelength sensitivity ranges from UV to visible, with peak sensitivity over 60% QE at 450-500 nm. Suitable applications include ratio imaging, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy and real-time confocal microscopy.
----
PRESS RELEASE
Hamamatsu introduces new ORCA-Flash2.8 scientific CMOS camera
Bridgewater, NJ, USA – March 18, 2010 – Hamamatsu introduces the new ORCA-Flash2.8, our first high-sensitivity digital camera based on a next-generation scientific CMOS image sensor. Designed for low-light imaging at high frame rates, this new camera combines high resolution, high sensitivity, high speed, and low noise at an affordable price.
At the camera’s core is a new scientific CMOS image sensor, the FL-280, which features 2.8 megapixels and a pixel size of 3.63 x 3.63 µm, ensuring high resolution. The sensor’s wavelength sensitivity ranges from UV to visible, with peak sensitivity (over 60% QE) at about 450-500 nm. In addition to high sensitivity, the sensor features low readout noise, typically 3 electrons r.m.s. The sensor’s design keeps the readout noise minimal even at very fast readout speeds, unlike traditional image sensors. The FL-280 sensor also has low dark current. Because of its intrinsically low dark current, the sensor requires cooling to +5°C only.
Built for high-speed imaging, the ORCA-Flash2.8’s readout speed ranges from 45 frames/second at full resolution up to 1273 frames/second with sub-array readout. Other features of the camera include external trigger functions, real-time corrections, and analog gain. The camera is designed for quantitative measurements with 12-bit output, and it interfaces with a PC using a CameraLink frame grabber board (included with the camera).
The ORCA-Flash2.8 is suitable for a wide variety of applications. These include life science imaging such as ratio imaging, FRET, FISH, TIRF microscopy, and real-time confocal microscopy. Other applications include semiconductor inspection and industrial imaging.
Hamamatsu is exhibiting the ORCA-Flash2.8 at Analytica 2010 in Munich, Germany, from March 23 to March 26 (booth number A2 420). Demo cameras will be available in May 2010.
Visit the product page here. To view full technical specifications, please download the product datasheet. Information on pricing and delivery can be obtained by calling your Hamamatsu company.
-----
Posted by Lee Mather
Subscribe now to BioOptics World magazine; it's free!