Cameras FAQs
Here we have provided comprehensive lists of commonly asked questions regarding our scientific cameras. This information is designed to support your inquiries, but if you don’t find the answers you are looking for we encourage you to contact us for further assistance.
Please use the sort buttons in the left navigation to navigate between questions and answers that are specific to Optical Imaging Systems, Optical Filters, Fluidics, Microfluidics, our Webstore and Engineering Partnership.
What’s a back-illuminated CCD?
CCDs are slabs of silicon like photovoltaic cells. Gate structures are added to the top (usually polysilicon or indium tin oxide) so a charge can be applied to corral electrons where they were created (in order to get an image). These gate structures block incoming light and reduce the quantum efficiency (QE). One way to improve QE is to flip the CCD over so that the gates are on the bottom, then grind down CCD until it is about 15 microns thick. The gates are still close enough to the front surface that charge is captured where it is created. Back-illuminated or thinned CCDs have very high quantum efficiencies, but typically cost much more than front-illuminated CCDs.