CTEC PHOTONICS announces a new line of low cost, high performance, thermoelectrically cooled, integrating, CCD cameras. The cameras, described in detail in the pdf files, provide 2/3 inch and 1/2 inch formats. The 2/3 inch CT-160 camera will satisfy applications that require a larger microscope format. The CT-150A is a lower cost 1/2 inch alternative to the CT-160. CTEC PHOTONICS integrating cameras incorporate both low light level integration and real time operation. The cameras use high quality industrial grade NTSC or CCIR CCD imaging chips. The CCD chips utilize advanced interline transfer Hyper HAD Microlens technology. The combination of these features produces sensitivities equal to frame transfer devices, with superior still frame resolution and lower dark current performance. Lower dark current equates to longer integration periods that provides greater sensitivity.

CTEC PHOTONIC'S thermoelectric cooling technology employs a vacuum environment for thermal insulation and prevention of condensation. The vacuum feature enables - 40oC performance using a two stage Peltier cooler. This low temperature performance suppresses dark current allowing up to 30 minutes of integration. This long integration period greatly extends sensitivity performance over a 1/30th second real time integration period. On-chip 2X2 binning (optional), normally found on more expensive full frame cameras, further improves the sensitivity of the CT-150A by a factor of four. Other interline transfer cameras do not have this unique CTEC PHOTONICS binning feature.

CTEC PHOTONICS unique customized camera features are summarized below

  • Vacuum sealed thermoelectric cooling to - 40oC
  • Integration time controlled by an externally applied TTL pulse
  • Externally selectable Field or Frame operation
  • Externally selectable 2X2 on-chip binning for improved sensitivity (optional)
  • External Control of gain
  • External control of shutter speeds
The modest cost of the CT-150A compares favorably with newly introduced integrating cameras that are only cooled to +5oC. This minimal temperature performance reduces the integration time by a factor of 80 as compared to the CT-150A. Why give up the flexibility of longer integration times for a modest difference in price? However, if low cost is essential, then CTEC PHOTONICS offers CT-150C that cools to -20oC with an OEM price as low as $1,850. This configuration still provides a ten to one integration time advantage over a camera cooled to only +5oC.

Look for our introduction of other CTEC PHOTONICS camera products. A 1/2 inch single chip color camera and an affordable 1/3 inch "three chip" cooled, integrating color camera are currently under development. Want a low cost source for scientific grade, high resolution cameras? Just let us know. CTEC PHOTONICS has been designing and manufacturing OEM TEC cooled camera products and high frame rate cameras for over ten years. Our charter is to service your special CCD camera requirements. Try us for your special applications. We will satisfy your custom camera design requirements at little or no engineering cost. Give us a call and we will be pleased to help you solve your imaging requirements.