Low light, High Sensitivity Cameras

What is a high sensitivity camera? What makes a sensitive camera? Why use a low light camera?

High Sensitivity cameras are designed to work in low light conditions to produce a high dynamic range image with few light photons. The sensor in a high sensitivity camera is typically designed with large pixels so that they have a large area to collect light. A sensitive camera also requires a high quantum efficiency which means it is efficient at converting light photons to electrons. A sensitive camera with high QE has a sensor with specially designed internal structure and when is a visible light silicon sensor is doped for optimal photon conversion.

Some low light cameras use Frame Transfer or Full Frame sensors and so use the full pixel area for light collection. Other low light cameras have the more standard interline sensors but use a microlens located over every pixel to collect light from a larger area and focus it onto the smaller light collecting pixel area.

There are also low light cameras that use different materials to silicon . For example InGaAs sensors are used in Infrared Low light cameras to detect moon glow or the airglow on (moonless nights) that occurs due to electro luminescence in the upper atmosphere. These cameras operate in the short wave infrared rather than the visible spectrum.

Low light cameras and sensitive cameras are used for may different types of applications. Night time surveillance is a common application for short wave infrared low light cameras. When imaging fast moving objects the shutter time must be short to freeze motion and so use of a high sensitivity camera is important. Other scientific applications like fluorescence microscopy deal with emitted light and so often there are very few electrons to play with and so a low light camera is essential.

Adept supplies the Australian and New Zealand market with high sensitivity and low light cameras. See list below.

For more information on High sensitivity cameras and low light cameras please contact us.

It is important that the correct equipment for low light camera work is selected in order to ensure that you get the best possible result. If you do require any further assistance with selecting high sensitivity camera equipment Adept Electronic Solutions has highly qualified machine vision specialists ready to assist you with your digital imaging application.