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Chapter 1
Introduction
Figure 1. I-PentaMAX System
Description
The Princeton Instruments I-PentaMAX System consists of an intensified camera, an
external temperature controller/power supply, a computer, a high-voltage power supply
and the necessary system cables. It is designed for general macro-imaging and
microscopy imaging applications at both low and medium light levels. In operation, data
acquired by the camera is routed to the computer for processing and display. A
composite video output is also provided to allow immediate viewing of the acquired
images on a separate monitor. The computer controls both the system configuration and
data acquisition via software, of which Princeton Instruments WinView is an example.
The camera is fitted with a microchannel plate (MCP) image intensifier fiber-optically
coupled to a CCD array. A window at the front of the intensifier seals the intensifier and
array into an integrated chamber maintained at a positive pressure. The enclosure is
normally pressurized with dry air to about 1 psi. Power to the intensifier is supplied by a
high voltage power supply (IIC-100, IIC-200, or IIC-300) or by the MCP-100 (gate
pulser option) via a high voltage cable. The connector for the high-voltage cable is
located on the side of the intensifier housing.
The I-PentaMAX Camera combines both high-speed and high-precision readout
capabilities. It can collect 12 bit images at a readout rate of up to 5 million pixels per
second (5 MHz) in the high-speed mode or at 1 million pixels per second (1 MHz) in the
optional precision mode. The speed and resolutions of the two data collection modes
provided are matched to the capabilities of the CCD sensor (see Appendix A). Two
complete analog channels, each with its own A/D converter (precision A/D converter
optional), are provided for optimum signal-to-noise ratios in both readout modes.