Fast low-light level imaging

September 2003 Sensors & Transducers Access Control & Identity Management

The L3Vision CCD is a revolutionary solid-state sensor, recently developed by e2v technologies. It enables very low light level imaging at TV frame rates and above without the limitations of vacuum tube-based systems.

The sensors benefit from e2v's 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 totally solid-state L3Vision technology.

The L3Vision 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. 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. e2v's L3Vision cameras 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.

For more information contact Paddy Hanson, OEN Enterprises, 011 675 4447, [email protected], www.oenenterprises.co.za

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