HPV-X2 - The World’s Fastest Video Camera

In the year of its 140th anniversary, Shimadzu, one of the world leaders in analytical instrumentation, has announced the release of its Hyper Vision HPV-X2 high-speed video camera. It offers photosensitivity six times higher than the previous model and ultrahigh-speed recording speeds up to 10 million frames per second (Mfps). The new video camera visualizes high-speed phenomena and focuses on a wide variety of applications, e.g. automotive, semiconductor, consumer electronics, materials as well as equipment in aerospace, industrial, medical and sports.

The Hyper Vision HPV-X2 features a new FTCMOS2 CMOS image sensor that increases photosensitivity by about six times. Higher photosensitivity means that more vivid images can be obtained even under poor lighting conditions, such as under a microscope. In this way, it enables the observation of incidents such as the interactions between cancer cells and the release of active agents from drug-filled microcapsules, the fuel injection process of automotive fuel injectors, or the ink ejection process of inkjet printers. The HPV-X2 offers a recording speed of 10 million frames per second, which is the world’s fastest in its class. Furthermore, the Hyper Vision HPV-X2 includes a function that allows samples to be observed simultaneously from two directions by synchronizing two cameras. This allows the use of commercial DIC1 software to analyze the captured data so that the deformation of objects can be observed in three dimensions.

Background of the development

Image-based observation and analysis are essential in research fields involving ultrahigh-speed phenomena, not only to research the fast dynamics of advanced materials or advanced devices, but also for plasmas and electrical discharges. Shimadzu has been offering high-speed video cameras with frame rates of over a million frames per second since 2003. In 2012, the Hyper Vision HPV-X model achieved a speed of 10 million frames per second, which remains the fastest speed available in this class of video cameras. Consequently, it has contributed significantly to researching ultrahigh-speed phenomena.

In recent years, however, there has been an increase in research involving ultrahigh-speed phenomena that occur in micro areas with a field-of-view between 10 μm and 10 mm in size, such as for microbubbles, inkjets and injections. High-speed video camera images of micro areas are captured using the camera in combination with a microscope or other high-magnification optics. High photosensitivity is therefore required to capture the small amount of light entering the image sensor. Furthermore, for strength testing or high-speed impact testing of some materials such as carbon fiber reinforced plastics, two high-speed video cameras are used to capture stereo images enabling three-dimensional analysis of material failure or deformation behavior during high-speed impacts.

Features

Photosensitivity six times higher than previous models Incorporating the new FTCMOS2 image sensor developed in collaboration with Professor Sugawa of the Tohoku University (Sendai, Japan), the HPV-X2 offers the highest ISO 16000 photosensitivity of any ultrahigh-speed video camera in the world capable of practical QVGA (320 x 240 pixels) recording resolution at a recording speed over 1 million frames per second - without blooming. With photosensitivity six times higher than the previous model, it allows brighter and more vivid images to be observed, given the same optical conditions.

High-speed synchronized recording function using two cameras Connecting two Hyper Vision HPV-X2 cameras allows images to be obtained with the timing of recording using the two cameras being synchronized accurately. This function means that changes in an object can be observed simultaneously from two directions. It also enables analysis of changes in objects three dimensionally using commercially available image processing software. This allows it to be used for a broader range of applications, such as for R&D of new aerospace components, automobiles, and industrial equipment, or for basic research in medical fields.

10 Mfps recording speed and a recording capacity of 256 frames Two recording modes are available. The HP (half-pixel) mode maximizes the number of frames that can be recorded, and the FP (full-pixel) mode maximizes the resolution. The HP mode can record 256 frames with 50,000 pixel resolution at speeds up to 10 million frames per second. The FP mode can record 128 frames with 100,000 pixel resolution at speeds up to 5 million frames per second. The 256 frame capacity and maximum recording speed of 10 million frames per second in the HP mode each represent the highest available in the world in this class of camera.