CMOS-based Camera Research Articles

A comparative study of EM-CCD and CMOS cameras for particle ion trajectory imaging

High-resolution and real-time imaging of particle ion trajectories is essential in nuclear medicine and nuclear engineering. One potential method to achieve high-resolution real-time trajectory imaging of particle ions involves utilizing an imaging system that integrates a scintillator plate with a magnifying unit and a cooled electron multiplying charge-coupled device (EM-CCD) camera. However, acquiring an EM-CCD camera might prove challenging due to the discontinuation of CCD sensor manufacturing by vendors. As an alternative imaging approach, a low-noise, high-sensitivity camera utilizing a cooled complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor offers a promising solution for imaging particle ion trajectories. Yet, it remains uncertain whether CMOS-based cameras can perform as effectively as CCD-based cameras in capturing particle ion trajectories. To address these concerns, we conducted a comparative analysis of the imaging performance between a CMOS-based system and an EM-CCD-based system for capturing alpha particle trajectories. The results revealed that both systems could image the trajectories of alpha particle, but the spatial resolution with the CMOS-based camera exceeded that of the EM-CCD-based camera, primarily due to the smaller pixel size of the sensor. While the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the trajectory image from the CMOS-based camera initially lagged behind that from the EM-CCD-based camera, this disparity was mitigated by implementing binning techniques on the CMOS-based camera images. In conclusion, our findings suggest that a cooled CMOS camera could serve as a viable alternative for imaging particle ion trajectories.

Sensing Optimum in the Raw: Leveraging the Raw-Data Imaging Capabilities of Raspberry Pi for Diagnostics Applications.

Single-board computers (SBCs) and microcontroller boards (MCBs) are extensively used nowadays as prototyping platforms to accomplish innovative tasks. Very recently, implementations of these devices for diagnostics applications are rapidly gaining ground for research and educational purposes. Among the available solutions, Raspberry Pi represents one of the most used SBCs. In the present work, two setups based on Raspberry Pi and its CMOS-based camera (a 3D-printed device and an adaptation of a commercial product named We-Lab) were investigated as diagnostic instruments. Different camera elaboration processes were investigated, showing how direct access to the 10-bit raw data acquired from the sensor before downstream imaging processes could be beneficial for photometric applications. The developed solution was successfully applied to the evaluation of the oxidative stress using two commercial kits (d-ROM Fast; PAT). We suggest the analysis of raw data applied to SBC and MCB platforms in order to improve results.

A disc-chip based high-throughput acute toxicity detection system

Acute toxicity assay presents vital significance in modern environmental monitoring, including online detection and in-situ assay for emergency events. Although photobacteria related detection methods were established and verified in the past decades with combination of photomultiplier tube (PMT), the price and size of PMT sensor hampered application of rapid acute toxicity assay and detection system miniaturization, especially in the resource-limited occasions. Wide application of smartphones with great low-light performance cameras could be used in photobacteria-based toxicity assay instead of the PMT methods. Herein a box-type portable detection system had been successfully established, including a disc-chip for detection, detection device, and smartphones with a high-performance camera. The system performed well showing stable temperature and rotation control. Results captured by CMOS-based camera presented a linear relationship with PMT-based detection method. An image progress algorithm was also established and tested by series diluted zinc sulfate solution as a reference substance. The system also performed well for toxicity analysis for real Atmospheric particle matter sample. The system could be used in some environmental monitoring scenarios as an alternative solution.

Characterization of a Low-Cost Plastic Fiber Array Detector for Proton Beam Dosimetry.

The Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS) technique in proton therapy uses fast magnets to scan the tumor volume rapidly. Changing the proton energy allows changing to layers in the third dimension, hence scanning the same volume several times. The PBS approach permits adapting the speed and/or current to modulate the delivered dose. We built a simple prototype that measures the dose distribution in a single step. The active detection material consists of a single layer of scintillating fibers (i.e., 1D) with an active length of 100 mm, a width of 18.25 mm, and an insignificant space (20 m) between them. A commercial CMOS-based camera detects the scintillation light. Short exposure times allow running the camera at high frame rates, thus, monitoring the beam motion. A simple image processing method extracts the dose information from each fiber of the array. The prototype would allow scaling the concept to multiple layers read out by the same camera, such that the costs do not scale with the dimensions of the fiber array. Presented here are the characteristics of the prototype, studied under two modalities: spatial resolution, linearity, and energy dependence, characterized at the Center for Proton Therapy (Paul Scherrer Institute); the dose rate response, measured at an electron accelerator (Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology).

Investigations of the MGy dose level radiation effects on the photometric budget of a radiation-hardened CMOS-based camera.

We studied the impact of ionizing radiation at high dose levels (megagray, MGy) on the photometric budget of a radiation-resistant complementary metal oxide semi-conductor (CMOS)-based camera. This is achieved by measuring the radiation-induced degradation of each subpart, namely its illumination system, its optical system, and its CMOS image sensor. The acquired experimental results allow performing a rather realistic simulation of the radiation effects at the system level. Thanks to appropriate mitigation techniques, limited image darkening and color change are obtained at MGy dose levels. The presented results confirm the feasibility of a CMOS-based camera able to resist to MGy dose level of ionizing radiations with an acceptable degradation of the image quality, opening the way to its implementation in the most challenging harsh environments.

New Activity for Instrumental Analysis: Laser Beam Profiling

Students built two laser beam profilers to measure several laser beam parameters in a university third-year instrumental chemistry laboratory using commercially available optical components used in modern optics research laboratories. While learning about practical properties of laser beams, students utilize laboratory grade optics and optomechanics for precise measurements of the laser beam quality factor, ellipticity, and diameter. Students build and troubleshoot beam profilers using two methods: the classic knife-edge technique as well as by employing a CMOS-based camera. Students recognize the sources of error associated with their constructed profiler, including background intensity, integration time, and lens alignment accuracy when measuring the beam parameters.

MEDIUM FORMAT CAMERA EVALUATION BASED ON THE LATEST PHASE ONE TECHNOLOGY

In early 2016, Phase One Industrial launched a new high resolution camera with a 100 MP CMOS sensor. CCD sensors excel at ISOs up to 200, but in lower light conditions, exposure time must be increased and Forward Motion Compensation (FMC) has to be employed to avoid smearing the images. The CMOS sensor has an ISO range of up to 6400, which enables short exposures instead of using FMC. <br><br> This paper aims to evaluate the strengths of each of the sensor types based on real missions over a test field in Speyer, Germany, used for airborne camera calibration. The test field area has about 30 Ground Control Points (GCPs), which enable a perfect scenario for a proper geometric evaluation of the cameras. The test field includes both a Siemen star and scale bars to show any blurring caused by forward motion. <br><br> The result of the comparison showed that both cameras offer high accuracy photogrammetric results with post processing, including triangulation, calibration, orthophoto and DEM generation. The forward motion effect can be compensated by a fast shutter speed and a higher ISO range of the CMOS-based camera. The results showed no significant differences between cameras.

MEDIUM FORMAT CAMERA EVALUATION BASED ON THE LATEST PHASE ONE TECHNOLOGY

Abstract. In early 2016, Phase One Industrial launched a new high resolution camera with a 100 MP CMOS sensor. CCD sensors excel at ISOs up to 200, but in lower light conditions, exposure time must be increased and Forward Motion Compensation (FMC) has to be employed to avoid smearing the images. The CMOS sensor has an ISO range of up to 6400, which enables short exposures instead of using FMC. This paper aims to evaluate the strengths of each of the sensor types based on real missions over a test field in Speyer, Germany, used for airborne camera calibration. The test field area has about 30 Ground Control Points (GCPs), which enable a perfect scenario for a proper geometric evaluation of the cameras. The test field includes both a Siemen star and scale bars to show any blurring caused by forward motion. The result of the comparison showed that both cameras offer high accuracy photogrammetric results with post processing, including triangulation, calibration, orthophoto and DEM generation. The forward motion effect can be compensated by a fast shutter speed and a higher ISO range of the CMOS-based camera. The results showed no significant differences between cameras.

High granularity tracker based on a Triple-GEMoptically read by a CMOS-based camera

The detection of photons produced during the avalanche development in gas chambers has been the subject of detailed studies in the past. The great progresses achieved in last years in the performance of micro-pattern gas detectors on one side and of photo-sensors on the other provide the possibility of making high granularity and very sensitive particle trackers.In this paper, the results obtained with a triple-GEM structure read-out by a CMOS based sensor are described. The use of an He/CF4 (60/40) gas mixture and a detailed optimization of the electric fields made possible to obtain a very high GEM light yield. About 80 photons per primary electron were detected by the sensor resulting in a very good capability of tracking both muons from cosmic rays and electrons from natural radioactivity.