EMX2C9100-23B Datasheet, PDF (2/8 Pages) Hamamatsu Corporation – Multiply faster

The ImagEM X2 expertly handles a wide range of applications from bright light,
Hungry for Photons
With large pixels, high QE, and relatively zero readout noise, EM-CCD technology performs in low light conditions. How
low light? When you've got fewer than 10 photons per pixel between the sample and background, EM-CCDs are the
perfect tool for the job, delivering the best SNR of any camera technology. For high mag, biologically relevant
applications with routine exposure times of 10 ms to 30 ms, the sample is likely emitting hundreds to thousands of
photons per pixel. But with faster speeds come shorter exposure times, risking the ability to capture more than tens of
photons per pixel in one shot and therefore pushing the application into the ultra-low light zone. The ImagEM X2 makes
these super-fast exposures possible and has the sensitivity to provide visually pleasing and quantitatively meaningful
images in a photon-starved environment.
New Features
Faster readout
By clocking pixel readout at 22 MHz, the ImagEM X2 is
able to achieve 70 frames/s with full frame resolution.
That's more than 2x the original ImagEM and is faster than
any commercially available camera using the sensor.
Corner readout
By selectively imaging at the edge of the sensor, closest to
the read register of the chip, it is possible to achieve even
greater speeds of small ROIs.
Lower readout noise
In any image sensor, faster readout means increased
readout noise. Yet readout noise is considered irrelevant
for EM-CCDs because of the EM gain. Remarkably, the
ImagEM X2, even before applying EM gain, has faster
speed and lower read noise than its predecessor. But
didn’t we just say readout noise in EM-CCD was irrelevant?
Yes, in SNR equations this is true. However, if the primary
purpose of EM gain is to overcome readout noise, then this
will be accomplished with less gain in the ImagEM X2 and
less voltage in the EM register, translating into theoretically
more stable EM gain calibrations and greater sensor
longevity.
Clock: 22 MHz
Binning
512
1 × 1 70.4
2×2
131
4×4
231
Effective vertical width (Sub-array)
256 128
64
32
16
133 241 405 613 820
238 400 606 813 981
389 588 794 962 1076
(Unit: frames/s)
Clock: 22 MHz
Binning
512
1 × 1 70.4
2×2
131
4×4
231
Effective vertical width (Sub-array)
256 128
64
32
16
133 285 495 741 893
238 456 699 901 981
389 645 863 981 1076
(Unit: frames/s)
Readout noise
(rms) (typ.)
EM-CCD
readout
EM gain
4×
EM gain
1200×
NORMAL CCD readout
36 electrons (at 22 MHz)
25 electrons (at 11 MHz)
8 electrons (at 0.6875 MHz)
1 electron max. (at 22 MHz)
1 electron max. (at 11 MHz)
1 electron max. (at 0.6875 MHz)
8 electrons (at 0.6875 MHz)
Mechanical shutter
The ImagEM X2 includes an integrated mechanical shutter in order to protect the camera from EM gain degradation and
to lessen afterimage effects. The mechanical shutter is software controlled.
EM gain measurement and calibration
Gain aging is a known and expected process in EM technology. Even when every care is taken to minimize gain aging, use
of the camera in EM mode, especially with high gains or high intensity light, can degrade the gain. Since this is a use-
dependent phenomenon, it's important to know when it's happened and to have the ability to easily recalibrate. These two
functions in the ImagEM X2 make this crucial maintenance of the camera software accessible and user friendly.