A new tubeless nanosecond streak camera based on optical deflection and direct CCD imaging

Conference · Tue Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:6618311

Lai, C C

A new optically deflected streaking camera with performance of nanosecond-range resolution, superior imaging quality, high signal detectability, and large format recording has been conceived and developed. Its construction is composed of an optomechanical deflector that deflects the line-shape image of spatial-distributed time-varying signals across the sensing surface of a cooled scientific two-dimensional CCD array with slow readout driving electronics, a lens assembly, and a desk-top computer for prompt digital data acquisition and processing. Its development utilizes the synergism of modern technologies in sensor, optical deflector, optics and microcomputer. With laser light as signal carrier, the deflecting optics produces near diffraction-limited streak images resolving to a single pixel size of 25[mu]. A 1kx1k-pixel array can thus provide a vast record of 1,000 digital data points along each spatial or temporal axis. Since only one photon-to-electron conversion exists in the entire signal recording path, the camera responses linearly to the incident light over a wide dynamic range in excess of 10[sup 4]:1. Various image deflection techniques are assessed for imaging fidelity, deflection speed, and capacity for external triggering. Innovative multiple-pass deflection methods for utilizing optomechanical deflector have been conceived and developed to attain multi-fold amplification for the optical scanning. speed across the CCD surface at a given angular deflector speed. Without significantly compromising imaging. quality or flux throughput efficiency, these optical methods enable a sub-10 ns/pixel streak speed with the deflector moving benignly at 500 radians/second, or equivalently 80 revolutions /second. Test results of the prototype performance are summarized including a spatial resolution of 10 lp/mm at 65% CTF and a temporal resolution of 11.4 ns at 3.8 ns/pixel.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6618311
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JC-109615; CONF-9209188-10; ON: DE93011893
• Resource Relation: Conference: 20. international congress on high speed photography and photonics, Victoria (Canada), 25-26 Sep 1992
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
STREAK CAMERAS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
CHARGE-COUPLED DEVICES
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
IMAGE PROCESSING
MICROELECTRONICS
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
SENSITIVITY
SPATIAL RESOLUTION
TIME RESOLUTION
CAMERAS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
PROCESSING
RADIATION DETECTORS
RESOLUTION
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
TESTING
TIMING PROPERTIES
440800* - Miscellaneous Instrumentation- (1990-)