Breakthrough Back Illuminated CCD and EMCCD Detector Technology sets a new standard for sensitivity

The eXcelon sensors provide photon detection capabilities across a wide spectrum; from 200nm to 1100nm. They are especially beneficial to applications requiring enhanced sensitivity in the blue to near-infrared (NIR) region. In addition, the eXcelon back illuminated sensors significantly reduce problematic etaloning –or the appearance of fringes due to constructive and destructive interference in the back thinned silicon when imaged in NIR region (750-1100nm). In the past, users interested in the NIR had to resort to using front illuminated or back illuminated deep depletion CCDs. However, each have unique drawbacks – front illuminated sensors have 2 to 3 times lower sensitivity; deep depletion devices have 100 times dark current which ultimately limits their usability. In contrast, eXcelon sensors do not increase dark current and boast ~90% quantum efficiency, while countering the etaloning.

When eXcelon technology is applied to already popular EMCCD devices, the result is a detector with sub-electron read noise, high sensitivity, low dark current, no or minimal etaloning and high frame rates – a combination that is unmatched in the world of CCD/CMOS sensors.

The eXcelon technology will be featured in Princeton Instruments’ PIXIS and ProEM deep cooled cameras and is available in a variety of different formats: 1340×100 and 1340×400 CCD cameras for spectroscopy as well as 512×512 to 2048×2048 CCD cameras for imaging. The technology is also available in 512×512 and 1024×1024 ProEM EMCCD cameras. These new cameras will target a wide variety of applications in both life and physical sciences. Examples include astronomy, Raman spectroscopy, live cell imaging, confocal imaging, Total Internal Fluorescence Microscopy (TIRFM), Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC) imaging, solar cell inspection, as well as super resolution techniques such as STORM and PALM.

“eXcelon sensor technology is a testament to collaboration between image sensor designers and manufacturers like ourselves and camera manufacturers like PI and Photometrics”, explained Brian McAllister, General Manager of Imaging at e2v. “For example, for a long time, it has been known that etaloning in the near infrared region is a significant problem in back illuminated CCDs. The remarkable solution incorporated in eXcelon sensors came about only after numerous debates and research trials. We are pleased that e2v is able to make a contribution to yet another breakthrough in photonic detector technology”.

“As premier suppliers of scientific imaging and spectroscopy instrumentation, Princeton Instruments (PI) and Photometrics each have had a long history of innovation,” commented Don Templeman, President of Princeton Instruments. “The eXcelon sensors are a direct result of listening to the world’s leading researchers in life and physical sciences. The creative team of application scientists and engineers at PI, Photometrics and e2v delivered a truly remarkable detector technology that is set to advance many optical diagnostic techniques”.
 

PRESS OFFICE CONTACT:

Jessica Broom
jessica.broom@e2v.com
Tel: + 44 (0) 1 245 453 607

NOTES FOR EDITORS

e2v
e2v’s objective is to be a global leader in the design and supply of specialised components and sub-systems that enable the world’s leading systems companies to deliver innovative solutions for medical & science, aerospace & defence, and commercial & industrial markets.

e2v is organised into four divisions:

For the year ended 31 March 2009, e2v achieved sales of £233m and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. In October 2008 e2v acquired QP semiconductor, a leading US-based designer and supplier of specialty semiconductor components used in military and aerospace applications, establishing e2v’s first US manufacturing base.

The Company is headquartered in the United Kingdom and has approximately 1700 employees in six production facilities across Europe and North America. e2v also operates a global network of sales and technical support offices, supported by local distributors and resellers.

Further information is available from www.e2v.com

About Princeton Instruments
Princeton Instruments designs and manufactures high-performance CCD, ICCD, and EMCCD cameras; spectrographs; and optics-based solutions for the scientific research, industrial imaging, and OEM communities. We take pride in partnering with our customers to solve their most challenging problems in unique, innovative ways. For more information on Princeton Instruments products, please visit www.princetoninstruments.com.

About Photometrics
Founded in 1978, Photometrics is the world’s premier designer and manufacturer of high-performance CCD and EMCCD cameras for the life sciences. The original architect of the world’s 1st scientific grade microscopy EMCCD camera, researchers across the globe rely on Photometrics’ state-of-the-art imaging instrumentation, including its popular CoolSNAP™, Cascade®, and QuantEM^®cameras to meet their most demanding application requirements. For more information, please visit www.photomet.com.