Introduction to Intensified Gated CCD Cameras (ICCDs)

The ability of ICCDs to detect extremely low photon fluxes, as well as isolate and sample in time short-lived or fast transient phenomena on the nanosecond scale benefit a number of imaging and spectroscopic diagnostics. These scientific areas include Plasma Science (Optical Emission Spectroscopy, Thomson Scattering), Combustion and Fluid Dynamics (Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence, Chemiluminescence, PIV), Material Science (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, Laser-Induced Fluorescence, gated Raman Spectroscopy) or Biology (Fluorescence lifetime measurement).

This webinar will look at the main elements and attributes of the critical device used in ICCDs – an image intensifier or “tube”, discuss the concepts of fast gating and timing, as well as highlight key sources of noise impacting sensitivity and dynamic range in ICCDs.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about image intensifiers key components and their function, and how these influence ICCD detection performance.
• Learn about the concepts of gating and signal amplification in relation to scientific applications.
• Understand the basics of Sensitivity and Signal-to-Noise performance, as well as the difference between sCMOS-based and CCD-based ICCDs in the context of Dynamic Range.

For more information take a look at Andor's Intensified Camera ICCD range.

Slide 33 image courtesy of Spectral Sensor Solutions.