Photometrics Launches Next Generation Scientific CMOS Camera with 95 Percent Quantum Efficiency

Photometrics®, a manufacturer of high-performance scientific cameras for life science applications, and Gpixel Inc., a company specializing in high-performance CMOS image sensors, today announced the release of the Photometrics Prime 95B™ Scientific CMOS camera. The Prime 95B camera is built on the first scientific-grade CMOS sensor available with 95 percent quantum efficiency (QE), the GSENSE400BSI-TVISB. It combines backside illumination (BSI) technology with large pixels and low-noise characteristics to maximize light collection.

“EMCCD cameras have traditionally dominated the low-light market. However, sCMOS cameras are rapidly gaining popularity due to improved performance and image quality levels,” said Rachit Mohindra, product manager at Photometrics. “Prime 95B is three times more sensitive than the current generation of sCMOS sensors with a greater signal-to-noise ratio than EMCCD cameras. Prime 95B demonstrates the progression of imaging technologies in the low-light space and raises the bar for current industry standards.”

“The GSENSE 400 BSI is the first backside illuminated sCMOS image sensor, representing a breakthrough for sensor technologies,” said Xinyang Wang, chief executive officer of Gpixel Inc. “The recently announced TVISB version of our sensor features a peak quantum efficiency of 95 percent, single-electron noise and more than 90dB dynamic range, without the need for deep cooling and complex electronic design. We are excited to partner with a high-end manufacturer to bring the next-generation of sCMOS cameras to the life science market.”

Prime 95B is optimized for low-light microscopy with its near perfect 95 percent QE and 11µm x 11µm pixel area. This advance allows for the collection of nearly all available light, maximizing the signal-to-noise ratio of the experiment while minimizing cellular photo damage. The Prime 95B camera captures images using the full microscope field-of-view at over 41 frames per second (FPS) with 16-bit images and 82fps with 12-bit images. The combination of extreme sensitivity, low noise and high frame rates positions Prime 95B as the leading scientific CMOS camera for low-light microscopy techniques, including single molecule fluorescence (SMF), confocal imaging and super-resolution microscopy (STORM, PALM.)