PI-MAX

Everyday, our flagship PI-MAX intensified ICCD cameras are used in cutting-edge, time-resolved imaging applications around the world. These fiber optically coupled 16-bit ICCD cameras offer a widest array of CCD and intensifier combinations to deliver the highest sensitivity and precise gating. By working closely with the leading researchers around the world, Princeton Instruments incorporated exclusive technologies for unrivaled performance.

No other manufacturer can match the knowledge and application know-how of Princeton Instruments.

Visit our Technical Library to learn more about ICCD cameras.

Latest News

PI-MAX and PI-MAX2 camera systems are now offered with the proprietary UNIGEN™ II intensifiers for high-sensitivity from UV to NIR and and fast gate speeds. Read the press release.

PI-MAX2: 512 and 1003 cameras deliver high frame rate 5MHz/16-bit performance ideal for synchronizing with high repetition rate lasers. PI-MAX2: 1003 offers dual image feature (DIF) for particle imaging or tracking applications.

Applications:

Widest choice of intensifiers including proprietary UNIGEN II intensifier
PI-MAX and PI-MAX2 cameras offer the widest selection of intensifiers of any scientific ICCD camera on the market. Whether the application requires sensitivity in UV, Visible, Near-IR or broad coverage from UV-NIR, our Gen II, Gen III filmless and our latest UNIGEN II intensifiers are ready to offer the highest performance. When coupled with state-of-the art gating performance, they offer the best combination of speed and sensitivity for time resolved imaging and spectroscopy applications.

PI-MAX2 Exclusive high frame rate 16-bit operation.

Renowned PI-MAX cameras just got faster. PI-MAX2 models now operate at 5MHz digitization - 5 times the traditional 1MHz ICCD cameras. The 512x512 resolution PI-MAX2: 512 offers from 17 full frames per second to over hundreds of frames per second with ROI and binning. The 1Kx1K format PI-MAX2: 1003 achieves over 4 frames per second.

These high frame rate models are offered with full choice of intensifiers to further match your application needs.

Fiber optic coupling for highest throughput.

All PI-MAX and PI-MAX2 cameras use fiberoptic coupling between CCD and intensifier. Fiber optic coupling offers 12 times the throughput of traditional lens coupling utilized by some manufacturers.

Sub-nanosecond gating capability when you need ultra-fast gating.

With years of experience in gating electronics, we are now able to achieve sub-nano second gating speeds on select fast gate intensifiers. It must be noted that the superior gating speed achieved using the traditional fast gate intensifiers, not the "specialized" tubes that severely compromise the sensitivity.

DIF (Dual Image Feature): Two full resolution images in quick succession of 2µsec.

PI-MAX2: 1003 utilizes an interline CCD which allows two distinct images to be captured in quick succession. This is ideal for low light level particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) or tracking applications. While there are standard, non-intensified interline CCD cameras can offer similar functionality, ICCD cameras enhance the functionality by precisely controlling the exposure time of first and second frames. The inter-frame time, typically 2 usec, is dictated by the decay time of P46 phosphor.

MCP gating technology for fast gating (<9 nsec) without compromising the sensitivity

Gen II intensifiers are available in "fast and slow" gate versions. Fast gate intensifiers allow <2 nsec gate times by employing nickel under-layer which reduces the QE. In contrast, slow gate intensifiers offer higher QE as they do not use the nickel underlayer, but slower gate times from 50 nsec to 200nsec.

For applications such as OH-PLIF where the highest sensitivity and gate speed is required around 300nm, a novel gating technique called MCP gating is developed. As the name implies, the gating is performed across the MCP rather than the traditional “photocathode-MCP” interface. As a result, < 9 nsec gating is achieved on a SB (super blue) tube with 25% - 30% QE.

Integrated Timing generator: State-of the art programmable timing generator (PTG™) for precise synchronization

PI-MAX's unique Programmable Timing Generator (PTG) allows users to set all gating parameters under software control ensuring complete control of experimental synchronization. PI's use of ultra fast components and short electrical path lengths, guarantees that the entire system propagation delay is the lowest available.

It allows unprecedented flexibility in designing the gated experiments without external timing generators. To learn more, see the PTG datasheet

USB2.0 interface with optional fiber optic interface kit for remote operation

PI-MAX cameras are available with USB2.0 or PCI interface for plug-n-play operation. When the camera needs to be operated from a remote location, an optional fiberoptic interface allows operation from up to 500 meters. PI-MAX2 models are available with PCI interface.

Kinetics capability for ultra-high speed image/spectral acquisition

When microsecond timing is required between frames (while taking nanosecond exposures), a special readout mode called kinetics can be used. In traditional readout, the readout of the CCD limits the frame rate to tens of frames per seconds to hundreds of frames per second. This is sufficient for experiments involving repetitive measurements using pulsed excitation. But, for single shot measurements, where ultra-high frame rate coupled with fast gating to resolve the event, PI-MAX offers powerful kinetics feature. It is possible to achieve sub-frames usec apart each gated down to nanosecond by the intensifier.

Kinetics Readout for Fast Temporal Studies

Comprehensive software support

PI-MAX and PI-MAX2 cameras are offered with full suite of software applications to suit your application needs. It is available with WinView/WinSpec software applications for out of the box data acquisition.

LabView SITK (Scientific Imaging Tool Kit) provides pre-written vi modules for easy integration into complex experiment setups. For even more customization, programming interface libraries are provided free of cost.