Atik VS Series CCD High-Resolution Long-Exposure Scientific Camera

Overview

The Atik VS60-C-F is a high-performance, thermoelectrically cooled scientific CCD camera engineered for precision low-light imaging in demanding industrial, astronomical, and laboratory applications. Built around the Sony ICX-694ALG progressive-scan interline-transfer CCD sensor, it delivers exceptional quantum efficiency (>75% peak at 550 nm), deep depletion characteristics, and ultra-low read noise—enabling reliable signal capture during extended exposures ranging from seconds to hours. Unlike consumer-grade CMOS sensors, this CCD architecture ensures true global shutter operation, zero rolling-shutter distortion, and high linearity across the full dynamic range—critical for quantitative photometry, spectral line profiling, and time-lapse metrology where pixel-level fidelity and temporal consistency are non-negotiable. The camera’s mechanical design incorporates a vacuum-sealed cold chamber and active temperature stabilization, suppressing dark current to <0.001 e⁻/pixel/sec at −20°C, thereby extending usable exposure duration without saturation or thermal artifact accumulation.

Key Features

• Scientific-grade Sony ICX-694ALG CCD sensor with 2750 × 2205 resolution and 6.0 megapixels of effective area
• Thermoelectric cooling system maintaining sensor temperature at −20°C below ambient, with ±0.1°C stability
• Integrated 5-position motorized filter wheel compatible with standard 36 mm unmounted filters (LRGB, narrowband, ND)
• USB 2.0 interface with hardware-level galvanic isolation to eliminate ground-loop interference in sensitive measurement environments
• On-board 16-bit analog-to-digital conversion with programmable gain and offset for optimal SNR tuning per application
• C-mount lens interface with optional M42 adapter; includes mechanical shutter for precise exposure control and dark frame acquisition
• Robust aluminum housing with passive heatsink and fan-assisted thermal management for continuous operation in controlled lab or observatory enclosures

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The VS60-C-F is designed for integration into OEM optical systems, automated inspection platforms, and research-grade imaging rigs requiring reproducible, calibrated intensity data. It supports both monochrome and color variants (via Bayer-pattern sensor); the integrated filter wheel enables sequential multi-spectral acquisition without manual intervention—essential for fluorescence lifetime mapping, Raman spectroscopy alignment, or semiconductor wafer defect classification. The device complies with ISO 13660 (imaging performance metrics), IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC emissions), and IEC 61000-6-2 (immunity). Its firmware architecture supports audit-ready metadata embedding (EXIF + FITS headers), facilitating traceability under GLP and ISO/IEC 17025 quality frameworks. While not FDA-regulated as a medical device, its stable gain calibration and linear response curve meet ASTM E1548-22 requirements for quantitative digital imaging instrumentation.

Software & Data Management

Atik provides native SDKs for Windows (C/C++, .NET, Python) and Linux (C++), enabling seamless integration into custom acquisition pipelines or third-party platforms including MATLAB, LabVIEW, and Python-based astrophotography stacks (e.g., AstroPy, Siril). All drivers support full 16-bit raw frame streaming with real-time histogram analysis, bias/dark/flat-field correction routines, and timestamp-accurate exposure logging. Metadata—including sensor temperature, exposure duration, gain setting, and filter position—is embedded directly into FITS and TIFF output files. For regulated environments, optional software packages offer 21 CFR Part 11–compliant user access controls, electronic signatures, and immutable audit trails for image acquisition events.

Applications

• Astronomical deep-sky imaging and planetary transit photometry requiring sub-pixel centroiding accuracy
• Industrial machine vision for high-magnification PCB solder-joint inspection under low-intensity NIR illumination
• Fluorescence microscopy quantification in life science labs, particularly for slow kinetic assays with low photon flux
• Remote sensing calibration targets and star tracker validation in aerospace ground-test facilities
• Time-resolved luminescence characterization of phosphor materials and OLED emissive layers
• Non-destructive testing (NDT) of composite laminates using long-exposure thermal emission imaging

FAQ

Does the VS60-C-F support triggering via external TTL signals?
Yes—it features a dedicated SMA input for hardware trigger synchronization, supporting both rising-edge and falling-edge modes with configurable delay (0–100 ms) and exposure hold functionality.
Is dark frame subtraction automated in the included software?
Yes—Atik’s Artemis Capture software performs real-time dark frame matching based on sensor temperature and exposure time, with optional master dark library generation.
Can the camera operate continuously for >1 hour without thermal drift?
With active cooling engaged and ambient temperature ≤25°C, the sensor temperature remains within ±0.1°C over 4+ hours, ensuring consistent dark current and gain stability.
What is the maximum frame rate at full resolution?
At 16-bit depth and 0.1 MHz readout speed, the sustained frame rate is 1.8 fps; higher speeds (up to 4.2 fps) are achievable using region-of-interest (ROI) readout or binning modes.
Is firmware upgrade supported in the field?
Yes—firmware updates are delivered via Atik’s secure web portal and applied through the Artemis Capture utility, preserving all user calibration profiles and configuration settings.