Cooled vs. Intensified vs. Electron Bombardment CCD Cameras—Applications and Relative Advantages

Abstract

This chapter presents comparisons among cooled, intensified, and electron bombardment charge- coupled device (CCD) cameras. Different applications and relative advantages of the CCD cameras are briefly described. Special methods of imaging are needed when the available light intensity at the sample decreases to a level that approaches the average noise of the detection system. The ratio of the amount of signal collected to the amount of noise in the system is called the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). A suitable SNR is the goal of all low-light cameras, and many methods and technologies are available for this purpose. To respond to the requirements of modern science, a variety of imaging detectors are available. A CCD camera is the most popular imaging detector for high light applications; however, charge injection device (CID) and complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) detectors are also finding uses for special applications.