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Teledyne PIXIS User Manual

Teledyne PIXIS
156 pages
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www.princetoninstruments.com
PIXIS System Manual
4411-0106
Issue 5
May 22, 2019

Table of Contents

Questions and Answers:

Teledyne PIXIS Specifications

General IconGeneral
BrandTeledyne
ModelPIXIS
CategoryDigital Camera
LanguageEnglish

Summary

About this Manual

Intended Audience

This manual is for scientists and personnel responsible for PIXIS system installation, setup, configuration, and data acquisition.

Related Documentation

Lists related documentation and user manuals for the PIXIS camera system, emphasizing current release references.

Document Organization

Details the structure of the manual, listing all chapters and appendices and their content.

Safety Related Symbols Used in this Manual

Explains safety symbols like CAUTION!, WARNING!, and RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK! for hazard identification.

PIXIS Safety Information

Provides essential safety information regarding power connection, grounding, and equipment handling.

Precautions

Outlines precautions to prevent permanent damage to the PIXIS system, focusing on static electricity and environmental factors.

System Component Descriptions

PIXIS Camera

Describes the PIXIS as an integrated system housing electronics for CCD readout and control, with USB 2.0 interface.

eXcelon®

Introduces eXcelon technology for CCD/EMCCD sensors, highlighting benefits like improved sensitivity and reduced etaloning.

CCD Array

Details the variety of front- and back-illuminated CCDs offered for PIXIS, emphasizing scientific-grade devices for image fidelity.

Rear Panel Connectors

Illustrates and describes the connectors on the rear panel of a typical PIXIS camera.

Power

Explains that PIXIS cameras receive power from an external supply and provides important cautions about using correct supplies.

Cooling

Discusses thermoelectric cooling of CCD arrays via Peltier coolers, circulating air, or coolant to reduce dark current.

Cables

Describes the standard cables included with a PIXIS Camera System, such as USB 2.0 and MCX to BNC adapter cables.

Certificate of Performance

Explains the Certificate of Performance, which documents camera assembly, testing, and specific performance data.

PIXIS System User Manuals

States that the PIXIS System User Manual covers installation, configuration, and usage of the PIXIS camera and its components.

Application Software

Lists and describes available data acquisition software packages like LightField, PICam, SITK, WinX, and PVCAM.

Accessories

Details optional accessories compatible with PIXIS cameras, including internal shutters and various mount adapters.

Unpack the System

Provides instructions for unpacking the PIXIS system, checking for shipping damage, and retaining packing materials.

Verify Equipment and Parts Inventory

Instructs users to verify that all required equipment and parts for setting up the PIXIS system have been delivered.

PIXIS Camera and System Maintenance

Covers basic maintenance for the PIXIS camera and optical surfaces, and explains the repair process.

Install Data Acquisition Software

LightField Installation

Provides step-by-step instructions for installing the LightField data acquisition software on the host computer.

WinX Installation

Details the procedure for installing WinView/32 and WinSpec32 data acquisition software, including installation type selection.

System Block Diagrams

Hardware Installation

Connect a CoolCUBEII Liquid Circulator

Guides users through connecting a liquid-cooled PIXIS to an external CoolCUBEII circulator, including placement and coolant checks.

Install a Lens on a C-Mount Adapter

Provides instructions for installing a lens on a C-mount adapter, including overexposure protection and lens replacement advice.

Install a Lens on an Integral F-Mount Adapter

Details the procedure for installing a lens on an integral F-mount adapter, emphasizing overexposure protection.

Install Adjustable C- to Spectroscopy-Mount Kinetics Adapter

Explains how to install the adapter for vertical adjustment, aligning PIXIS kinetics rows with the spectrograph focal plane.

Mount the PIXIS on a Spectrograph

Covers proper mounting of the PIXIS to a spectrograph for focus and includes information on spectrograph adapters.

Connect an External Shutter

Details connecting an external shutter to the PIXIS, including warnings about internal shutters and connection procedures.

First Light

WinX First Light Procedure

Provides initial steps for acquiring image and spectroscopic data using WinView/32 and WinSpec/32 for system familiarity.

Imaging Applications

Guides users through the procedure to acquire image data in WinX, assuming a test target and proper system setup.

Spectroscopy Applications

Details the procedure for acquiring spectral data with PIXIS on a spectrograph, including light source and shutter setup.

Focus and Rotational Alignment

Explains focus and rotation adjustment for spectrographs, covering Teledyne Acton Research and IsoPlane models.

LightField First Light Procedure

Outlines initial steps for acquiring image and spectroscopic data using LightField for system familiarity.

Exposure

Array Architecture

Explains CCDs as grids of photodiodes storing charge, performing photon transduction, integration, and readout.

Exposure with a Mechanical Shutter

Describes how PIXIS uses a mechanical shutter to control CCD exposure and the measurement of exposure time.

Continuous Exposure (No Shuttering)

Discusses non-shuttered operation for full-frame CCDs, explaining potential smearing and how to control it.

Exposure Time

Defines exposure time as the duration between acquisition start and stop commands, controlling signal accumulation.

CCD Temperature

Explains that lowering CCD temperature generally improves signal quality and how to control it in WinX and LightField.

Dark Charge

Defines dark charge as thermally induced charge buildup in the CCD, affecting noise and requiring low temperatures.

Saturation

Describes saturation and blooming when pixel wells exceed capacity, recommending shorter exposures or signal averaging.

Analog to Digital Conversion

Output Amplifier {Quality}

Explains the output amplifier's role in converting charge to electrons/count and the selection of High Capacity or Low Noise amplifiers.

Controller Gain

Details controller gain selection for changing the electron-to-ADU relationship, impacting signal digitization and noise.

Digitization

Covers the ADC's function in converting analog signals to digital data, influenced by bits per pixel and settings.

Digitization Rate {Speed}

Discusses dual digitization rates (100 kHz and 2 MHz) for PIXIS cameras, balancing data collection speed with noise performance.

ADC Offset (Bias)

Explains ADC offset as a pre-set baseline adjustment to ensure true signal variation is visible, not user-configurable.

Full Frame Readout

Calculating Image Acquisition/Readout Time

Provides formulas for calculating total time to acquire and readout a full frame, considering readout, exposure, and shutter compensation times.

CCD Readout Time

Details the calculation of CCD readout time based on pixel dimensions, shift times, and digitization times.

Binning

Hardware Binning

Explains hardware binning on the CCD array to improve S/N ratio and reduce readout time, at the expense of resolution.

Software Binning

Discusses software binning as a solution for limitations of hardware binning, allowing more photons to be collected.

Array Orientation

Describes how CCDs can be oriented for binning along columns (scan rate) or rows (crosstalk), easily switched by camera rotation.

Advanced Topics

Timing Modes

Covers PIXIS timing modes like Free Run, External Sync, and Continuous Cleans, combined with shutter options.

Fast and Safe Modes

Explains Fast and Safe modes for data collection synchronization, differing in command frequency and computer intervention.

LOGIC OUT Control

Details the TTL-compatible logic level output for monitoring camera status and controlling external devices.

Kinetics Mode

Describes Kinetics Mode for time-resolved imaging/spectra acquisition using rapid image exposure and storage.

Custom Modes

Introduces Custom Chip and Custom Timing modes for faster data acquisition by redefining the active CCD area or shift time.

Technical Specifications

System Dimensions and Weight

Provides information on PIXIS system dimensions and weight, referencing outline drawings for specifics.

Focal Distance (Optical)

Lists optical focal plane distances for various C-mount and F-mount configurations.

Power Specifications

Details power supply specifications for PIXIS cameras, including input voltage, current, and output capabilities.

Environmental and Thermal Specifications

Outlines operating and storage temperature ranges, humidity limits, and temperature stability for PIXIS.

Minimum Host Computer Specifications

Specifies minimum system requirements for running WinX and LightField software with PIXIS cameras.

Outline Drawings

Adapter Adjustment and Focusing Procedures

Adjustable C-Mount Adapter

Details the procedure for adjusting the focus distance of an adjustable C-mount adapter on PIXIS cameras.

F-Mount Adapter Focusing Procedure

Provides steps to focus an F-mount adapter, not the lens itself, ensuring optimal image sharpness.

Lens Focusing Procedure

Explains lens focusing for F-mount and C-mount lenses, emphasizing using the lens's focusing ring for sharpness.

Spectrograph Adapters

Flange Mount to Teledyne Acton Research Series Spectrograph Adapter

Provides installation instructions for the flange mount adapter connecting PIXIS to Teledyne Acton Research spectrographs.

3.60”/3.88” Bolt Circle to Teledyne Acton Research Series Spectrograph Adapter

Details the installation procedure for the 3.60”/3.88” bolt circle adapter for Teledyne Acton Research spectrographs.

C-Mount to Teledyne Acton Research Series Spectrograph Adapter

Outlines the installation steps for the C-mount adapter to connect PIXIS to Teledyne Acton Research spectrographs.

Teledyne Acton Research SP-2350/SP-2550 Adjustable C- to Spectroscopy-Mount Adapter

Provides installation instructions for the adjustable C- to Spectroscopy-Mount adapter for specific Teledyne Acton Research models.

Teledyne Acton Research SP-2150/SP-2750 Adjustable C- to Spectroscopy-Mount Adapter

Details installation for the adjustable C- to Spectroscopy-Mount adapter for SP-2150/SP-2750 spectrographs.

Flange-Mount to IsoPlane SCT-320 Adapter

Explains the installation procedure for the flange-mount adapter connecting PIXIS to the IsoPlane SCT-320 spectrograph.

Troubleshooting

Acquisition Started but Viewer Contents Do Not Update

Addresses issues where live data is not displayed in the viewer during acquisition, suggesting filename checks and camera icon clicks.

Baseline Signal Suddenly Changes

Explains normal causes for baseline changes (temp, gain, speed) and suggests checking for humidity if changes are unexpected.

Camera Stops Working

Provides basic hardware checks for camera issues, including power, cable security, and shutter operation confirmation.

Controller Is Not Responding

Troubleshoots communication failures between the camera and host computer, checking USB connections, drivers, and card installation.

CoolCUBEII: Low Coolant (Air in the Hoses)

Provides a procedure to resolve low coolant or air in hoses issues for the CoolCUBEII circulator.

Cooling Troubleshooting

Offers guidelines for cooling-related problems, such as temperature lock failures and gradual cooling capability deterioration.

Data Loss or Serial Violation

Addresses data loss or serial violations potentially caused by enabled computer power saving features.

Data Overrun Due to Hardware Conflict Message

Explains data overrun errors, often due to undersized DMA buffers, and how to increase buffer size.

Data Overrun Has Occurred Message

Provides actions to resolve data overrun messages, including minimizing background programs and checking USB 2.0 bus limitations.

Devices Missing

Covers issues where LightField fails to detect connected devices, suggesting power cycling and checking network ports.

Device is Occupied

Explains how LightField indicates a device is in use by another instance and how to make it available.

Error Creating Controller Messages

Addresses error messages possibly caused by corrupted PVCAM.INI or incorrect camera startup sequence.

Overexposed or Smeared Images

Discusses causes of overexposed or smeared images, often related to shutter malfunction or high exposure rates.

Program Error Message

Details program error messages, typically due to data overrun from undersized DMA buffers, and resolution steps.

Serial Violations Have Occurred Error

Troubleshoots serial violation errors, usually related to system power status, communication, or cable connections.

WinSpec/32/LightField Cross Reference

WinSpec/32-to-LightField Terminology

Provides a cross-reference table mapping WinSpec/32 terms to their corresponding terms in LightField.

LightField to WinSpec/32

Offers a cross-reference table mapping LightField terms to their corresponding terms in WinSpec/32.

Warranty and Service

Limited Warranty

Outlines Teledyne Princeton Instruments' limited warranties, covering defects in materials and workmanship for original purchasers.

Basic Limited One (1) Year Warranty

Details the one-year warranty against substantial defects, including repair or replacement terms and customer responsibilities.

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

Specifies the one-year warranty for refurbished/discontinued products, excluding the CCD imaging device.

XP Vacuum Chamber Limited Lifetime Warranty

Covers the cooling performance over the lifetime of XP style detectors, with specific terms for vacuum chamber components.

Sealed Chamber Integrity Limited 12 Month Warranty

Warrants the sealed chamber integrity of products for twelve months, covering parts and labor for seal failures.

Vacuum Integrity Limited 12 Month Warranty

Guarantees vacuum integrity for 'Non-XP' detectors for twelve months, covering parts and labor for integrity failures.

Image Intensifier Detector Limited One Year Warranty

Provides a one-year warranty for image intensifier products, excluding damage from phosphor/photocathode burn.

X-Ray Detector Limited One Year Warranty

Offers a one-year warranty for X-ray products, excluding CCD imaging device and fiber optic assembly damage due to X-rays.

Software Limited Warranty

Warrants manufactured software discs against defects for one year, but not for meeting user requirements or uninterrupted operation.

Owner's Manual and Troubleshooting

Advises thorough reading of the manual and consulting it before contacting support for operating difficulties.

Your Responsibility

Outlines customer responsibilities regarding warranty terms, including proof of purchase, defect notification, and payment.

Contact Information

Provides the manufacturing facility address, phone numbers, and email for technical support and service assistance.

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