Image-intensifier charge-coupled devices

The Experimental Technique chapter describes our experimental setup with the following main parts laser source (Ar, excimer, Nd-YAG, nitrogen, dye, OPO), imaging monochromator, gated detector (Intensified Charge Coupled Device) and computer with corresponding software. The main features of the experimental devices are described, which enable us to accomphsh time-resolved detection. 

The detonation wave diffraction at the initiator/main detonation tube was observed using high-speed Schlieren and CH -chemiluminescence imaging which utilized a 10-nanometer FWHM interference filter centered at 430 nm and both DRS Hadland and Princeton Instruments intensified charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras. 

A.B. Thompson, E.M. Sevick-Muracka, Near-infrared fluorescence contrast-enhanced imaging with intensified charge-coupled device homodyne detection measurement precision and accuracy, J. Biomed. Opt. 8, 111-120 (2003)... 

The first detectors to be used in OMA systems were standard TV image tubes. These were silicon vidicons or the more sensitive Silicon Intensified Target (SIT) detectors, which both employed silicon targets to convert optical information into electronic form. More recently, the use of solid state detectors in the form of a diode array (Reticon) has been found to have some advantages over the vidicons and SIT tubes. Current developments in the field of charge coupled devices (CCD) will probably soon provide an even better multielement detector for use in OMA systems. 

Fig. 15.1. Schematic representation of amyloid fibrils revealed by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, (a) The penetration depth of the evanescent field formed by the total internal reflection of laser light is 150nm for a laser light at 455 nm, so only amyloid fibrils lying parallel to the slide glass surface were observed. (b) Schematic diagram of a prism-type TIRFM system on an inverted microscope. ISIT image-intensifier-coupled silicone intensified target camera, CCD charge-coupled device camera...

Great progress has also been achieved in the field of low-level signal detection. Apart from new photomultipliers with an extended spectral sensivity range and large quantum efficiencies, new detection instruments have been developed such as image intensifiers, infrared detectors, charge-coupled devices (CCDs) or optical multichannel analyzers, which could move from classified military research into the open market. For many spectroscopic applications they prove to be extremely useful. 

Fig. 5 Schematic diagram of a prism-type TIR setup on an inverted microscope DEP, depolarizer ND, neutral density filter M, mirror L, focusing lens PR, prism GS, glass slide MO, microscope objective BF, barrier filter II, imager intensifier CCD, charge-coupled device...

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