Atik VS60-C-F High-Resolution, Long-Exposure Scientific CCD Camera

Overview

The Atik VS60-C-F is a high-performance, thermoelectrically cooled scientific CCD camera engineered for low-light, long-exposure optical imaging applications in astronomy, fluorescence microscopy, spectroscopy, and industrial metrology. Built around a monochrome, back-illuminated CCD sensor with 2750 × 2205 active pixels and 4.54 µm square pixels, the VS60-C-F delivers exceptional quantum efficiency (>90% peak QE), high dynamic range, and sub-9 e⁻ read noise at low readout speeds—enabling reliable photon-limited detection across visible to near-UV wavelengths. Its integrated Peltier cooling system stabilizes the sensor at up to 20°C below ambient temperature, suppressing dark current to less than 0.001 e⁻/pixel/sec—a critical requirement for exposures exceeding several minutes. Unlike consumer-grade sensors, this device employs true global shutter operation (mechanical or optional electronic shutter variants), eliminating rolling-shutter artifacts and ensuring spatial fidelity in time-critical measurements.

Key Features

• Back-illuminated CCD sensor with 6.07 MP resolution (2750 × 2205) and high full-well capacity (~15,000 e⁻)
• Thermoelectric cooling to −20°C below ambient, actively stabilized via internal temperature feedback loop
• Low-noise analog signal chain optimized for scientific quantification, supporting multiple readout speeds (0.1–5 MHz)
• USB 2.0 interface with robust driver architecture compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS via standard protocols (ASCOM, DirectShow, GenICam-compliant SDK)
• Hardware-triggered acquisition support for synchronized multi-instrument setups (e.g., with spectrographs or laser pulsers)
• Hermetically sealed vacuum chamber option available for extended deep-cooling configurations (−35°C)
• Compliance with IEC 61000-6-2 (immunity) and IEC 61000-6-4 (emissions) for laboratory-grade electromagnetic compatibility

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The VS60-C-F is designed for integration into ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories and regulated environments where measurement traceability and repeatability are essential. It supports standardized calibration workflows per ISO 15739 (image sensor noise and dynamic range) and ASTM E2851 (CCD performance evaluation in low-light imaging). The camera’s mechanical design conforms to DIN 45026 mounting standards (M42 × 0.75 thread), enabling direct coupling to C-mount, F-mount, and custom optical trains without adapter-induced vignetting. All firmware and factory calibration data—including pixel response non-uniformity (PRNU) and dark frame templates—are stored onboard and accessible via API for GLP/GMP audit trails. The device meets RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and carries CE marking under the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and EMC Directive 2014/30/EU.

Software & Data Management

Atik provides a cross-platform SDK with documented C/C++, Python, and MATLAB bindings, enabling full control over exposure timing, gain, offset, region-of-interest (ROI), and hardware triggering. The included Atik Capture software implements FITS 4.0 compliance with embedded WCS headers, bias/dark/flat correction pipelines, and real-time histogram analysis. For regulated environments, optional FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant modules are available—including electronic signatures, audit logging of acquisition parameters, and role-based user access control. Raw 16-bit image data is written directly to disk without compression or interpolation, preserving bit-depth integrity for post-processing in ImageJ, IRAF, or custom spectral fitting algorithms. Metadata serialization follows the FITS keyword convention (e.g., EXPTIME, DATE-OBS, TEMPERAT) to ensure interoperability with astronomical archives (e.g., ESO Science Archive Facility, MAST).

Applications

• Astronomical photometry and narrowband imaging (Hα, OIII, SII) requiring high SNR and precise flat-field correction
• Time-resolved fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) when paired with pulsed excitation sources and gated acquisition logic
• High-magnification industrial inspection of micro-defects on semiconductor wafers or precision optics
• Low-light Raman spectroscopy, where signal averaging over hundreds of frames demands thermal stability and low dark current
• Quantitative phase contrast and differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy in life science research
• Calibration reference imaging for telescope focal plane characterization and PSF modeling

FAQ

What cooling performance can be expected under typical lab conditions (22°C ambient)?
With ambient at 22°C, the TE cooler achieves stable sensor temperatures of ≤2°C—sufficient to maintain dark current below 0.001 e⁻/pixel/sec for exposures up to 30 minutes.
Is the camera compatible with Linux-based observatory control systems?
Yes—full source code for the Linux kernel module and userspace library is provided, supporting ASCOM Alpaca and INDI protocol stacks.
Can I perform on-chip binning to improve frame rate or sensitivity?
Hardware binning (2×2, 3×3, 4×4) is supported in firmware, preserving linearity and reducing read noise proportionally to √N.
Does the SDK support timestamping with microsecond accuracy?
Yes—hardware-synchronized timestamps are embedded in each frame header using the USB host clock, traceable to UTC via NTP-locked systems.
What is the warranty coverage and service lifecycle policy?
The VS60-C-F carries a 24-month limited warranty covering material and workmanship defects; extended calibration and repair services are available through Atik’s ISO 9001-certified service center in the UK.