Princeton ProEM-HS User manual

ProEM-HS

Camera System

4411-0149

Issue 2

July 6, 2015

Instruments, a division of Roper Scientific, Inc. (“Princeton Instruments”).

Printed in the United States of America.

BASE, IntelliCal, OptiCAL, PICam, PINS, and Unichrome are trademarks of Roper Scientific, Inc.

eXcelon, LightField, ProEM, and PVCAM are registered trademarks of Roper Scientific, Inc.

Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

LabVIEW is a registered trademark of National Instruments, Inc.

LEMO is a registered trademark of INTERLEMO HOLDING SA

Scientific Imaging ToolKit and SITK are trademarks of R Cubed Software Consultants, LLC.

Windows and Windows Vista are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

The information in this publication is believed to be accurate as of the publication release date. However, Princeton Instruments does

not assume any responsibility for any consequences including any damages resulting from the use thereof. The information contained

herein is subject to change without notice. Revision of this publication may be issued to incorporate such change.

3660 Quakerbridge Rd

Trenton, NJ 08619

TEL: 800-874-9789 / 609-587-9797

FAX: 609-587-1970

Revision History

Issue Date List of Changes

Issue 2 July 6, 2015 Issue 2 of this document incorporates the following changes:

• Added ProEM-HS: 1024BX3

• General cleanup and document reorganization.

Issue 1 December 11, 2014 This is the initial release of this document.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: About this Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

1.1 Intended Audience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

1.2 Related Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

1.3 Document Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

1.4 Conventions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

1.5 Safety Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

1.5.1 Safety Related Symbols Used in this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

1.6 Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

1.6.1 UV Coating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Chapter 2: ProEM-HS Camera System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

2.1 ProEM-HS Camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

2.1.1 EMCCD Technology and On-Chip Multiplication Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

2.1.2 Integrated Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

2.1.3 Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

2.1.4 CCD Arrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

2.1.5 Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

2.1.5.1 Internal Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

2.1.5.2 External Cooling Circulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

2.1.5.3 Coolant Ports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

2.1.6 Rear-Panel Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

2.2 Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

2.3 Certificate of Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

2.4 ProEM-HS System User Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

2.5 Application Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

2.6 Minimum Host Computer Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

2.6.1 LightField Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

2.6.2 WinX Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

2.7 Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

2.7.1 CoolCUBE

II

Coolant Circulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

2.7.2 Spectroscopy Mounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

2.8 ProEM-HS Camera and System Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

2.8.1 Camera. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

2.8.2 Optical Surfaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

2.8.3 Repairs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Chapter 3: System Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

3.1 System Configuration Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

4 ProEM-HS User Manual Issue 2

Chapter 4: System Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

4.1 Unpack the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

4.2 Verify Equipment and Parts Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

4.3 Attaching a Lens to a C-Mount Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

4.3.1 Mounting the Lens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

4.3.2 Adjusting the C-Mount Adapter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

4.4 Mounting the Adjustable C- to Spectroscopy-Mount Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

4.4.1 Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

4.5 Positioning ProEM-HS Masks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

4.6 Opening/Closing ProEM-HS Manual Shutter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

4.7 Connect a CoolCUBEII Circulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

4.8 Application Software Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

4.8.1 LightField. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

4.8.2 WinX Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

4.9 Configure Default Camera System Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

4.9.1 LightField. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

4.9.2 WinX (Versions 2.6.10 or later). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Chapter 5: LightField First Light. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

5.1 Imaging Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

5.1.1 System Set Up and Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

5.1.2 Data Acquisition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

5.2 Spectroscopy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

5.2.1 System Set Up and Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

5.2.2 Rotational Alignment and Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

5.2.2.1 Acton Series Spectrograph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

5.2.2.2 IsoPlane SCT-320 Spectrograph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

5.2.3 Data Acquisition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

5.3 System Shutdown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Chapter 6: WinX/32 First Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

6.1 Power On Sequencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

6.2 Imaging Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

6.2.1 Equipment Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

6.2.2 Configure ProEM-HS Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

6.2.3 Focus the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

6.2.4 Acquire Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

6.3 Spectroscopy Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

6.3.1 Equipment Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

6.3.2 Configure ProEM-HS Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

6.3.3 Configure Spectrograph Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

6.3.4 Verify Shutter Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

6.3.5 Rotational Alignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

6.3.5.1 Acton Series Spectrograph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

6.3.5.2 IsoPlane SCT-320 Spectrograph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

6.3.6 Focus the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

6.3.6.1 Acton Series Spectrograph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

6.3.6.2 IsoPlane SCT-320 Spectrograph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

6.3.7 Data Acquisition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

6.4 Power Down Sequencing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Table of Contents 5

Chapter 7: Exposure and Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

7.1 Exposure Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

7.2 Avalanche Gain {EM Gain} . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

7.3 EM Gain Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

7.4 CCD Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

7.5 Dark Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

7.6 Bias Active Stabilization Engine (BASE™). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

7.7 Clock Induced Charge (CIC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

7.8 Saturation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

7.9 Cleaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

7.10 Readout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

7.10.1 Dual-Readout Port Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

7.10.2 Controller Gain {Analog Gain}. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

7.10.3 Readout Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

7.10.4 Regions of Interest (ROI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

7.10.4.1 LightField . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

7.10.4.2 WinX/32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

7.10.4.3 WinX/32 Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

7.10.5 Binning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

7.10.5.1 Array Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

7.10.6 Exposure - Readout Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95

7.10.6.1 Frame Transfer Mode (Simultaneous Exposure-Readout) . . . . . . . .95

7.10.6.2 Full Frame (Sequential) Mode for Frame-Transfer EMCCD . . . . . .98

7.10.6.3 Full Frame Readout for Full Frame EMCCD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

7.10.7 Readout Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100

Chapter 8: Experiment Synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

8.1 Shutter Control Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101

8.2 Timing Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102

8.2.1 Free Run {No Response} . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102

8.2.2 External Sync {Readout Per Trigger} . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103

8.2.3 Bulb Trigger {Expose During Trigger Pulse} Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104

8.2.4 Trigger Start {Start On Single Trigger} . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105

8.3 Fast and Safe Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105

8.3.1 Fast Mode (LightField and WinX/32). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105

8.3.2 Safe Mode (WinX/32) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107

8.4 LOGIC OUT Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107

Chapter 9: Kinetics Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

9.1 Kinetics Readout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

9.2 Timing Modes and Shutter Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113

9.3 Triggered Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113

9.4 Cleaning the CCD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115

9.5 Configure a Kinetics Experiment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115

9.5.1 Configure LightField . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116

9.5.2 Configure WinX/32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117

9.6 Spectra-Kinetics Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118

Chapter 10: Custom Chip Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

10.1 Software Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124

10.2 Custom Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

6 ProEM-HS User Manual Issue 2

Chapter 11: High Speed Camera Add-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

11.1 Imaging Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

11.2 Spectroscopy Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Chapter 12: Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

12.1 Counter the Effects of Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

12.2 Maximize Throughput with the Right Vacuum Window Coating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

12.3 Reduce Spectral Readout Time using Custom Chip Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

12.3.1 LightField Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

12.3.2 WinX/32 Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

Chapter 13: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

13.1 Acquisition Started but Data Display is Empty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

13.2 Acquisition Started but Viewer Contents Do Not Update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

13.3 Baseline Signal Suddenly Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

13.4 Camera Not Found. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

13.5 Camera Stops Working . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

13.6 Camera1 (or similar name) in Camera Name field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

13.7 Cooling Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

13.7.1 Temperature Lock Cannot be Achieved or Maintained. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

13.7.2 Gradual Deterioration of Cooling Capability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

13.8 Data Overrun Due to Hardware Conflict Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

13.9 Device is Not Found . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

13.10Device is Occupied . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

13.11Ethernet Network is Not Accessible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151

13.11.1WinX/32 Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151

13.11.2LightField Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

13.12Program Error Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

13.13Serial Violations Have Occurred. Check Interface Cable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

13.14Smeared Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

13.15TEC Fault LED Comes On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

13.16WinX/32 or LightField Crashes When Adding GigE Camera to System . . . . . . . . 155

Appendix A: Technical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

A.1 Mechanical Dimensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

A.2 CCD Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

A.3 General Camera Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

A.3.1 Default Operating Temperatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

A.3.2 Vacuum Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

A.4 Input Power Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

A.5 Environmental Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

A.5.1 Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

A.6 Mounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

A.7 Optical Focal Distance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

A.8 CoolCUBE

II

Circulator Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

Appendix B: Outline Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

B.1 ProEM-HS Camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

B.2 ProEM-HS Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164

B.3 CoolCUBEII Circulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

List of Figures 7

Appendix C: Mounting a ProEM-HS to a Spectrograph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167

C.1 Acton to ProEM-HS with 3.60” Flange-Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168

C.1.1 Installation Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168

C.2 IsoPlane to ProEM-HS with 3.60” Flange Mount. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

C.2.1 Installation Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

C.3 Acton to ProEM-HS with C- to Spectroscopy-Mount Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170

C.3.1 Installation Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170

C.4 Acton SP-2350/SP-2550 to ProEM-HS with Adjustable C- to Spectroscopy-Mount . .

172

C.4.1 Installation Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172

C.5 Acton SP-2150/SP-2750 to ProEM-HS with Adjustable C- to Spectroscopy-Mount . .

173

C.5.1 Installation Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173

Appendix D: WinX/LightField Cross Reference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

D.1 WinX-to-LightField Terminology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175

D.2 LightField to WinX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177

Declaration of Conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179

Warranty & Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181

Basic Limited One (1) Year Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181

Limited One (1) Year Warranty on Refurbished or Discontinued Products. . . . . . .181

XP Vacuum Chamber Limited Lifetime Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181

Sealed Chamber Integrity Limited 12 Month Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182

Vacuum Integrity Limited 12 Month Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182

Image Intensifier Detector Limited One Year Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182

X-Ray Detector Limited One Year Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182

Software Limited Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182

Owner's Manual and Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183

Your Responsibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183

Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184

List of Figures

Figure 2-1: Typical ProEM-HS System Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Figure 2-2: ProEM-HS Frame Transfer versus Kinetics EMCCD Array

Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Figure 2-3: ProEM-HS Rear-Panel Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Figure 3-1: Typical Imaging Experiment Layout with Air-cooled Camera. . . . . . . .30

Figure 3-2: Typical Spectroscopy Experiment Layout with Air-cooled Camera. . . .31

Figure 3-3: Typical Spectroscopy Experiment Layout with Air-cooled Camera

and IsoPlane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Figure 3-4: Typical Imaging Experiment Layout with Air/Liquid-cooled Camera . .32

Figure 3-5: Typical Spectroscopy Experiment Layout with Air/Liquid-cooled

Camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Figure 4-1: Adjustable C-Mount Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Figure 4-2: Adjustable C- to Spectroscopy-Mount Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Figure 4-3: Front View of ProEM-HS Camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Figure 4-4: Front View of ProEM-HS Camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

8 ProEM-HS User Manual Issue 2

Figure 4-5: Typical LightField InstallShield Wizard Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Figure 4-6: Typical WinX Setup Dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Figure 4-7: LightField Experiment Workspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Figure 4-8: Typical WinX Camera Detection Wizard Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Figure 5-1: Light Path Block Diagram for ProEM-HS Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Figure 5-2: Available Devices Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Figure 5-3: Experiment Devices Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Figure 5-4: View Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Figure 5-5: View Area Displaying an Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Figure 5-6: Available Devices Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Figure 5-7: Experiment Devices Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Figure 5-8: View Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Figure 5-9: Spectrometer Alignment: Before Rotational Alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Figure 5-10: Spectrometer Alignment: After Rotational Alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Figure 6-1: Block Diagram for a ProEM-HS System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Figure 6-2: Typical WinView/32 Hardware Setup Dialog: Controller/

Camera Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Figure 6-3: Typical WinView/32 Detector Temperature Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Figure 6-4: Typical WinView/32 Experiment Setup Dialog: Timing Tab . . . . . . . . 66

Figure 6-5: Typical WinSpec/32 Hardware Setup Dialog: Controller/

Camera Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Figure 6-6: Typical WinSpec/32 Detector Temperature Dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Figure 6-7: WinSpec/32 Experiment Setup Dialog: Timing Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Figure 6-8: Typical Define Spectrograph Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Figure 6-9: Typical Install/Remove Spectrograph Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Figure 7-1: Clean Cycles Timing Diagram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Figure 7-2: EMCCD Array Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Figure 7-3: Binning and Array Orientation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Figure 7-4: Frame Transfer Mode Timing Diagram: Exposure Time <

Readout Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Figure 7-5: Frame Transfer Mode Timing Diagram: Exposure Time >

Readout Time97

Figure 7-6: Typical EMCCD Array Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Figure 7-7: Timing Diagram: Full Frame Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Figure 7-8: Full Frame at Full Resolution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Figure 8-1: Free Run Timing Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Figure 8-2: External Sync Timing Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Figure 8-3: Timing Diagram: Bulb Trigger {Expose During Trigger Pulse}. . . . . 104

Figure 8-4: Flowchart: Safe Mode versus Fast Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Figure 8-5: Timing Diagram: Logic Out Level Comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Figure 9-1: Configuring Kinetics Readout in LightField . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Figure 9-2: Configuring Kinetics Readout in WinX/32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Figure 9-3: Partial Illumination of CCD for Kinetics Mode in

ProEM-HS: 512BX3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Figure 9-4: Kinetics Data Acquired Based on Masked Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Figure 9-5: Timing Diagram: Kinetics Data Acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Figure 9-6: Experiment Setup Dialog: Timing Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Figure 9-7: Shutter and Trigger Expanders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Figure 9-8: Kinetics Operation Example: Single Trigger {Readout Per Trigger} . 114

Figure 9-9: Kinetics Operation Example Multiple Trigger {Shift Per Trigger}. . . 115

List of Figures 9

Figure 9-10: Typical Kinetics Experiment Hardware Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . .115

Figure 9-11: Example of Masking for Spectra-Kinetics: 20 Rows Exposed . . . . . . .118

Figure 10-1: EMCCD Array: Custom Chip {Custom Sensor} Feature . . . . . . . . . . .121

Figure 10-2: Read Out Rates for ProEM-HS: 512BX3 Standard ROI vs.

Custom Chip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122

Figure 10-3: Read Out Rates for ProEM-HS: 1024BX3 Standard ROI vs.

Custom Chip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

Figure 10-4: WinX Hardware Setup Dialog: Custom Chip Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124

Figure 10-5: LightField Custom Sensor Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125

Figure 10-6: LightField: Custom Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

Figure 10-7: WinX/32: Vertical Shift. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127

Figure 11-1: Typical Add-ins Tab with High Speed Camera Expander . . . . . . . . . .129

Figure 11-2: High Speed Camera Configuration: Imaging Applications. . . . . . . . . .130

Figure 11-3: Typical Add-ins Tab with High Speed Camera Expander . . . . . . . . . .131

Figure 11-4: High Speed Camera Configuration: Spectroscopy Applications. . . . . .132

Figure 12-1: Anti-Reflective Coatings: Vacuum Window Transmission Data . . . . .136

Figure 12-2: LightField Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139

Figure 12-3: Typical Easy Bin Dialog.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140

Figure 12-4: Typical Readout Time Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140

Figure 12-5: Typical Hardware Setup Dialog: Custom Chip Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141

Figure 12-6: Typical Readout Time Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141

Figure 12-7: Typical Hardware Setup Dialog: Custom Chip Tab, Skip

Serial Register Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142

Figure 12-8: Typical Readout Time Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142

Figure 13-1: Acquisition Display and Invalid ROI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144

Figure 13-2: Acquisition Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145

Figure 13-3: Camera Not Found Dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

Figure 13-4: Camera1 in Camera Name Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Figure 13-5: Editing Camera Name in Notepad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Figure 13-6: Editing Camera Name in Notepad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Figure 13-7: Data Overrun Due to Hardware Conflict Dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149

Figure 13-8: Devices Missing Dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

Figure 13-9: eBUS Driver Installation Tool Dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151

Figure 13-10: eBUS Driver Installation Tool Dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152

Figure 13-11: Program Error Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153

Figure 13-12: Serial Violations Have Occurred Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154

Figure 13-13: Windows Start Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155

Figure 13-14: Device Manager Dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155

Figure 13-15: Right-Click Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155

Figure 13-16: Settings Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156

Figure 13-17: System Settings Change Dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156

Figure B-1: ProEM-HS Outline Drawing: C-Mount. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162

Figure B-2: ProEM-HS Outline Drawing: Spec-Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163

Figure B-3: ProEM-HS Power Supply Outline Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164

Figure B-4: Outline Drawing: CoolCUBEII Circulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165

Figure C-1: Acton to ProEM-HS with 3.60” Flange Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168

Figure C-2: IsoPlane to ProEM-HS with 3.6: Flange Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

Figure C-3: Acton to ProEM-HS C- to Spectroscopy-Mount. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170

Figure C-4: Acton SP-2350/SP-2550 to ProEM-HS with Adjustable C- to

Spectroscopy-Mount [Kit Number: 7050-0104]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172

10 ProEM-HS User Manual Issue 2

Figure C-5: Acton SP-2150/SP-2750 to ProEM-HS with Adjustable C- to

Spectroscopy-Mount [Kit Number: 7050-0107] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

List of Tables

Table 1-1: Related Documentation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Table 2-1: ProEM-HS Rear-Panel Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Table 2-2: Standard ProEM-HS Camera System Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Table 2-3: Cooling Port Coupling Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Table 2-4: Available Spectroscopy Mounts for the ProEM-HS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Table 3-1: System Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Table 6-1: WinView/32 Hardware Setup Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Table 6-2: WinView/32 Target Temperature Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Table 6-3: WinView/32 Experiment Setup Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Table 6-4: WinSpec/32 Hardware Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Table 6-5: WinSpec/32 Target Temperature Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Table 6-6: WinSpec/32 Experiment Setup Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Table 7-1: Comparison of Clock-Induced Charge and Dark Current . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Table 7-2: Clean Cycle Configuration Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Table 7-3: Typical Controller Gains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Table 8-1: ProEM-HS LOGIC OUT Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Table 9-1: LightField Kinetics Parameter Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Table 9-2: WinX/32 Hardware Parameter Configuration for Kinetics . . . . . . . . . . 117

Table 9-3: WinX/32 Experiment Setup Configuration for Kinetics . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Table 9-4: Comparison of Kinetics and Spectra-Kinetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

Table 12-1: LightField Default Configuration Values: Custom Chip/

Custom Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Table 13-1: Issues with Recommended Troubleshooting Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

Table A-1: CCD Array Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

Table A-2: Default Operating Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

Table A-3: ProEM-HS Environmental Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

Table A-4: Focal Distance by Camera Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

Table C-1: Spectrograph Adapter Kit and Installation Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167

Table C-2: Required Hardware: Acton to ProEM-HS,3.60” Flange Mount. . . . . . . 168

Table C-3: Required Hardware: IsoPlane to ProEM-HS with 3.6” Flange Mount. . 169

Table C-4: Required Hardware: Acton to ProEM-HS C- to Spectroscopy-Mount . 170

Table C-5: Required Hardware: Acton SP-2350/SP-2550 to ProEM-HS with

Adjustable C- to Spectroscopy-Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172

Table C-6: Acton SP-2150/SP-2750 to ProEM-HS with Adjustable C- to

Spectroscopy-Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

Table D-1: WinX-to-LightField Cross Reference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Table D-2: LightField-to-WinX Cross Reference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

11

Chapter 1: About this Document

Thank you for purchasing a ProEM

®

-HS high-speed EMCCD camera system from

Princeton Instruments. Your system has been thoroughly tested to meet Princeton

Instruments’ exacting standards and to meet the demanding requirements of many low light

level imaging applications.

Please read the manual carefully before operating the camera. This will help you optimize

the many features of this camera to suit your research needs.

If you have any questions about the information contained in this manual, contact the

Princeton Instruments customer service department. Refer to Contact Information on

page 184 for complete contact information.

1.1 Intended Audience

This user manual is intended to be used by scientists and other personnel responsible for the

installation, setup, configuration, and acquisition of imaging data collected using an

ProEM-HS system.

This document provides all information necessary to safely install, configure, and operate

the ProEM-HS, beginning with the system’s initial installation.

1.2 Related Documentation

Table 1-1 provides a list of related documentation and user manuals that may be useful

when working with the ProEM-HS camera system. To guarantee up-to-date information,

always refer to the current release of each document listed.

Current issues of Princeton Instruments and Acton manuals are available for downloaded

from the following sites:

ftp://ftp.piacton.com/Public/Manuals/Princeton Instruments

ftp://ftp.piacton.com/Public/Manuals/Acton

Table 1-1: Related Documentation

Document Number Document Title

4411-0046 WinView Imaging Software User Manual

4411-0048 WinSpec Spectroscopy Software User Manual

– LightField 5 Online Help

4411-0125 LightField 4 User’s Manual

– ProEM-HS Camera System Data Sheet

Varies Spectrograph User Manual

Tech Note 14

On-Chip Multiplication Gain

a

a. Available for viewing or download at www.princetoninstruments.com/Uploads/Princeton/Docu-

ments/Whitepapers/onchipgain.pdf.

12 ProEM-HS User Manual Issue 2

1.3 Document Organization

This manual includes the following chapters and appendices:

• Chapter 1, About this Document

This chapter provides information about the organization of this document, as well

as related documents, safety information, and conventions used throughout the

manual.

• Chapter 2, ProEM-HS Camera System

This chapter provides information about the components included with a standard

ProEM-HS camera system, as well as options that are available for purchase from

Princeton Instruments.

• Chapter 3, System Installation

Cross-references system setup actions with the relevant manuals and/or manual

pages. It also contains system layout diagrams.

• Chapter 4, System Setup

Provides detailed directions for mounting the detector to a spectrometer and for

interconnecting the system components.

• Chapter 5, LightField First Light

Provides a step-by-step procedure for placing a ProEM-HS camera system in

operation for the first time when using Princeton Instruments’ LightField 64-bit data

acquisition software.

• Chapter 6, WinX/32 First Light

Provides a step-by-step procedure for placing a ProEM-HS camera system in

operation for the first time when using Princeton Instruments’ WinSpec/32 data

acquisition software.

• Chapter 7, Exposure and Signal

This chapter discusses the various factors that affect the signal acquired on the

array, including array architecture, exposure time, temperature, and saturation.

• Chapter 8, Experiment Synchronization

Discusses standard timing modes, Fast and Safe speed modes, Logic Level control,

and Kinetics mode.

• Chapter 9, Kinetics Mode

Provides information necessary to configure the ProEM-HS for Kinetics and

Spectra-Kinetics operation.

• Chapter 10, Custom Chip Mode

Provides information necessary to configure custom chip modes on the ProEM-HS.

• Chapter 11, High Speed Camera Add-In

Provides information necessary to use the High Speed Camera Add-In with the

ProEM-HS.

• Chapter 12, Tips

Provides tips about CCD aging, maximizing throughput, and reducing readout time.

• Chapter 13, Troubleshooting

Provides recommended troubleshooting information for issues which may be

encountered while working with a ProEM-HS camera system.

Chapter 1 About this Document 13

• Appendix A, Technical Specifications

Provides CCD, system, and other basic specifications for a ProEM-HS system.

• Appendix B, Outline Drawings

Provides outline drawings of the various ProEM-HS cameras, the camera power

supply, and the CoolCUBEII circulator.

• Appendix C, Mounting a ProEM-HS to a Spectrograph

Provides the information and procedures necessary to mount a ProEM-HS camera

system to a spectrograph.

• Appendix D, WinX/LightField Cross Reference

Provides cross reference information for terminology used within the WinX and

LightField application software packages.

• Declaration of Conformity

Provides a copy of the Declaration of Conformity for the ProEM-HS.

• Warranty & Service

Provides warranty information for the ProEM-HS. Contact information is also

provided.

1.4 Conventions

The following conventions are used throughout this manual:

•WinX/32 is a generic term that is used to indicate one or more of the following data

acquisition software packages:

— WinSpec/32;

— WinView/32;

— WinXTest.

• WinX/32 and LightField often employ different terms for the same functions or

parameters. Unless a topic pertains only to WinX/32 or LightField, the following

conventions are used:

— Curly Brackets {} denote LightField-specific terms or locations.

— When a topic pertains to both WinX/32 and LightField, the WinX/32 term is

immediately followed by the LightField term encased in curly brackets

{}.

For example:

Continuous Cleans {Clean Until Trigger}

—

Similarly, when a location for setting a parameter is mentioned, the WinX/32

location is immediately followed by the LightField location encased in curly

brackets

{}.

For example:

Exposure Time is set on the Experiment Setup —> Main tab

{

Common Acquisition Settings expander}.

14 ProEM-HS User Manual Issue 2

1.5 Safety Information

Before turning on the power supply, the ground prong of the power cord plug must be

properly connected to the ground connector of the wall outlet. The wall outlet must have a

third prong, or must be properly connected to an adapter that complies with these safety

requirements.

WARNINGS!

1. If the ProEM-HS camera system is used in a manner not

specified by Princeton Instruments, the protection

provided by the equipment may be impaired.

2. If the wall outlet is damaged, the protective grounding

could be disconnected. Do not use damaged equipment

until its safety has been verified by authorized personnel.

Disconnecting the protective earth terminal, inside or

outside the apparatus, or any tampering with its operation

is also prohibited.

Inspect the supplied power cord. If it is not compatible with the power socket, replace the

cord with one that has suitable connectors on both ends.

WARNING!

Replacement power cords or power plugs must have the same

polarity and power rating as that of the original ones to avoid

hazard due to electrical shock.

1.5.1 Safety Related Symbols Used in this Manual

CAUTION!

!

The use of this symbol on equipment indicates that one or more

nearby items should not be operated without first consulting

the manual. The same symbol appears in the manual adjacent

to the text that discusses the hardware item(s) in question.

WARNING! RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK!

The use of this symbol on equipment indicates that one or more

nearby items pose an electric shock hazard and should be

regarded as potentially dangerous. This same symbol appears

in the manual adjacent to the text that discusses the hardware

item(s) in question.

Chapter 1 About this Document 15

1.6 Precautions

To prevent permanently damaging the ProEM-HS system, observe the following

precautions at all times:

• The CCD array is very sensitive to static electricity. Touching the CCD can destroy

it. Operations requiring contact with the device can only be performed at the

factory.

• When using high-voltage equipment (e.g., an arc lamp,) with the camera system, be

sure to turn the camera power ON LAST and turn the camera power OFF FIRST.

• When turning off and on the power supply, wait at least 10 seconds before

switching it on. the

TEC Fault LED might come on if the power supply on/off state

is switched too quickly.

• Use caution when triggering high-current switching devices near the system (e.g.,

an arc lamp.) The CCD can be permanently damaged by transient voltage spikes. If

electrically noisy devices are present, an isolated, conditioned power line or

dedicated isolation transformer is highly recommended.

• Do not block air vents on the camera. Preventing the free flow of air overheats the

camera and may damage it.

1.6.1 UV Coating

CAUTION!

!

If you have a camera with a UV (Lumogen or Unichrome™)

coated CCD, protect it from unnecessary exposure to UV

radiation. This radiation slowly bleaches the coating, reducing

sensitivity.

16 ProEM-HS User Manual Issue 2

This page is intentionally blank.

17

Chapter 2: ProEM-HS Camera System

This chapter provides in introduction to, and overview information about, Princeton

Instrument’s ProEM-HS camera system. Figure 2-1 shows those items that are typically

included as part of a standard ProEM-HS Camera System.

Figure 2-1: Typical ProEM-HS System Components

Standard items include:

• ProEM-HS Camera and Users Manual;

• Power Supply and Cable;

• Ethernet Card;

• Gigabit Ethernet cable;

• MCX to BNC Cable(s);

• Certificate of Performance;

• Data Acquisition Software;

• Coolant Hoses.

4411-0149_0001

PROEM-HS CAMERA

ETHERNET CARD

COOLANT HOSES

POWER SUPPLY AND CABLE

CERTIFICATE OF PERFORMANCE

PROEM-HS MANUAL WITH

CAT 5E/6 GIGABIT CABLE

MCX TO BNC CABLES

(100V/240V)

(L

ENGTHS VARY)

(5

M STANDARD)

S

OFTWARE MANUAL AND CD

18 ProEM-HS User Manual Issue 2

2.1 ProEM-HS Camera

The ProEM-HS camera features on-chip multiplication gain, a technology that enables the

multiplication of photon generated charge right on the CCD. This approach offers an

effective alternative to traditional ICCD cameras for many non-gated, low-light

applications.

The back-illuminated EMCCDs with dual amplifiers ensure optimal performance not only

for applications that demand the highest available sensitivity but also for those requiring a

combination of high quantum efficiency and wide dynamic range.

Deep thermoelectric cooling and state-of-the-art electronics are employed to help suppress

system noise. Imaging cameras can be operated at up to 30 MHz for high-speed imaging

(20 MHz for ProEM-HS:512BX3 systems,) or slower for high-precision photometry.

Spectroscopy cameras can be operated at up to 8 MHz. Increased frame rates are achievable

via subregion readout.

2.1.1 EMCCD Technology and On-Chip Multiplication Gain

The primary difference between an Electron-Multiplying CCD (EMCCD) and a traditional

CCD is an extended serial register in the EMCCD device. See Figure 2-2.

Figure 2-2: ProEM-HS Frame Transfer versus Kinetics EMCCD Array Structures

Electrons are accelerated from pixel to pixel in the extended portion of the serial register

(also referred to as a multiplication register) by applying higher-than-typical CCD clock

voltages. This causes secondary electrons to be generated in the silicon by impact

ionization. The degree of multiplication gain is controlled by increasing or decreasing the

clock voltages for this register (gain is exponentially proportional to the voltage.) Although

the probability of generating secondary electrons is fairly low (typically 0.01 per stage,)

over the large number of stages of a typical multiplication register, the total gain can be

quite high.

Low Noise

For standard, high dynamic

range applications

Multiplication Gain

For high speed, low

light level applicationsapplications

Readout

Amplifier

Output or Sensor Node

Extended Multiplication Register

d Serial Register

Frame-transfer Area

Sensor Area

High Voltage Clock

Readout

Amplifier

Normal Voltage Clock

Standar

4411-0149_0002

Chapter 2 ProEM-HS Camera System 19

This technology combines the ease of use and robustness of a traditional CCD with the gain

capabilities of an intensified CCD in a single device. The combination of this technology

with frame-transfer readout makes the ProEM-HS cameras excellent choices for

experiments where fast framing and low light sensitivity are required.

NOTE:

As the on-chip multiplication introduces additional noise, it is

recommended that the multiplication be used only as required.

For more information, refer to the “On-Chip Multiplication

Gain” technical note available for viewing or download here:

www.princetoninstruments.com/Uploads/Princeton/

Documents/Whitepapers/onchipgain.pdf

2.1.2 Integrated Controller

The ProEM-HS camera is regulated by an internal controller which converts input signals

from the host computer to appropriate control signals for the camera. These signals include

extensive capabilities for synchronizing the operation of the ProEM-HS system with the rest

of an experiment. The controlling electronics also collect analog signals from the CCD,

digitize them, and sends them to the host computer.

The ProEM-HS allows read rates, binning parameters, and regions of interest to be

configured and controlled by the data acquisition software. For instance, if an experiment

requires rapid image acquisition, then the CCD’s on-chip binning can be set to increase

frame rates.

2.1.3 Power

All voltages required by ProEM-HS cameras are generated and delivered by an external

power supply included with each ProEM-HS camera.

CAUTION!

!

Use of a power supply other than that provided with the

ProEM-HS camera will void the camera warranty. For specific

power supply requirements, contact Princeton Instruments.

Refer to Contact Information on page 184 for complete

information.

Refer to Section A.4, Input Power Specifications, on page 158 for complete specification

information.

2.1.4 CCD Arrays

The ProEM-HS camera systems are the most advanced EMCCD cameras available on the

market today, utilizing the latest low-noise read out electronics and back-illuminated

EMCCDs to deliver single photon sensitivity. In addition, these cameras feature, for the first

time, the latest Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) interface that allows remote operation over a single

cable without the need for custom frame grabbers. The all metal, hermetic vacuum seals

used in the ProEM-HS cameras are warrantied for life, the only such guarantee in the

industry. The EMCCD with eXcelon3 technology offers the lowest etaloning in the NIR,

and enhanced QE in blue and red.

For complete specifications and information about CCDs used in ProEM-HS cameras, refer

to Table A-1, CCD Array Specifications, on page 157.

20 ProEM-HS User Manual Issue 2

2.1.5 Cooling

Dark current is reduced in ProEM-HS camera systems through thermoelectric cooling of the

CCD arrays. Cooling by this method uses a Peltier cooler in combination with air

circulation provided by an internal fan and/or circulating coolant. To prevent condensation

and contamination from occurring, cameras cooled this way are evacuated. Due to CCD

size/packaging differences, the lowest achievable temperature can vary from one

ProEM-HS model to the next. Refer to Table A-2, Default Operating Temperature, on

page 158 for specific cooling information.

A feature of air-cooled ProEM-HS cameras is software control of the fan On/Off status.

When vibration may affect results, the user can turn off the fan operation while making sure

that the coolant is circulating through the camera to maintain the CCD cooling temperature.

NOTE:

When operating a ProEM-HS camera at or above 20 MHz and

binning is used, it is recommended that the camera be

configured for a slightly lower temperature set point than

usual. Heat generated by the CCD may result in the camera's

temperature drifting/warming and not remaining in a locked

temperature state. The recommended temperature is -50°C.

2.1.5.1 Internal Fan

The ProEM-HS camera is equipped with an internal cooling fan that:

• Removes heat from the Peltier device that cools the CCD array, and

• Cools the electronics.

An internal Peltier device directly cools the cold finger on which the CCD is mounted. Air

drawn into the camera through the back of the camera removes the heat produced by the

Peltier device and then vents out through the slots on the side panels. By default, the fan is

always in operation and air-cooling of both the Peltier and the internal electronics takes

place continuously. In most cases, the low-vibration fan action does not adversely affect the

image. However, if vibration would reduce image quality and the ProEM-HS is also being

cooled via a coolant circulator, the fan can be turned off.

For the fan to function properly, uninhibited air circulation must be maintained between the

sides of the camera and the laboratory atmosphere.

2.1.5.2 External Cooling Circulator

In addition to using an internal fan to remove heat, ProEM-HS cameras can be cooled by

circulating coolant to provide a low vibration system for data acquisition. Although the

coolant circulator can be any commercially available circulator provided it is capable of

continuously pumping a 50:50 mixture of room temperature (23ºC) water and ethylene

glycol at 1 liter per minute, Princeton Instruments’ CoolCUBE

II

is an ideal solution. Refer

to Section 2.7.1, CoolCUBE

II

Coolant Circulator, on page 26 for additional information. If

desired, contact Princeton Instruments for additional recommendations.

2.1.5.3 Coolant Ports

Two inlet/outlet ports on the side of the ProEM-HS camera allow it to be connected to a

Princeton Instruments CoolCUBE

II

Circulator.

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