ZOLIX DField-VS-A2 High-Performance Spectroscopic CCD Camera

Overview

The ZOLIX DField-VS-A2 is a high-performance, thermoelectrically cooled spectroscopic CCD camera engineered for demanding optical spectroscopy applications requiring high sensitivity, low noise, and broad spectral coverage. Based on a back-illuminated, deep-depletion silicon CCD sensor, the DField-VS-A2 leverages vacuum-sealed, long-term stable cooling architecture to achieve sustained operating temperatures of −60 °C at ambient 25 °C—enabling ultra-low dark current performance critical for long-exposure spectral acquisition. Its 2000 × 256 pixel array features 15 µm × 15 µm square pixels and a 30 mm wide imaging format, supporting high-resolution monochromator- or spectrograph-coupled configurations with extended spectral dispersion per acquisition. The device operates across a wide native spectral range of 200–1100 nm, with peak quantum efficiency reaching 95% at 780 nm—optimized for UV-Vis-NIR applications including Raman, fluorescence, atomic emission, and absorbance spectroscopy in research laboratories, analytical QC environments, and OEM instrumentation platforms.

Key Features

• Vacuum-sealed, maintenance-free thermo-electric cooling system delivering stable −60 °C sensor temperature under continuous operation
• Back-illuminated, deep-depletion CCD architecture with <10× lower dark current versus conventional front-illuminated devices at −60 °C
• Single-fused-silica entrance window design maximizing transmission across UV (200 nm) through NIR (1100 nm)
• High full-well capacity of 300,000 electrons (typ.), enabling wide dynamic range without saturation in high-flux conditions
• Low read noise of 3 electrons (typ.) at standard readout speeds, optimized for photon-limited detection scenarios
• 16-bit analog-to-digital conversion ensuring precise intensity quantization and linear response over >4 orders of magnitude
• USB 2.0 interface with robust driver support for Windows and Linux; compatible with industry-standard SDKs (e.g., LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python via ctypes or libusb)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The DField-VS-A2 is designed for integration into benchtop spectrometers, modular optical benches, and custom-built spectroscopic systems. Its 30 mm × 3.8 mm active area accommodates wide-slit or fiber-coupled inputs with minimal vignetting, while its mechanical footprint and mounting interface comply with standard C-mount and spectrograph flange specifications (e.g., SMA905, FC/PC). The camera meets CE marking requirements for electromagnetic compatibility (EN 61326-1) and safety (EN 61010-1). Firmware and host software architecture support audit-ready data integrity practices—including timestamped metadata embedding, non-modifiable acquisition logs, and optional integration with GLP/GMP-compliant LIMS environments via configurable ASCII or HDF5 export protocols.

Software & Data Management

ZOLIX provides the ZolixScan acquisition suite—a cross-platform application supporting real-time preview, multi-exposure sequencing, dark/reference frame subtraction, and spectral calibration via polynomial or spline fitting. All acquired spectra are saved with embedded EXIF-like metadata (exposure time, temperature, gain, binning mode, wavelength calibration coefficients). The SDK includes comprehensive C/C++ and Python APIs with thread-safe callbacks, memory-mapped buffer access, and hardware-triggered acquisition modes (TTL input/output). For regulated environments, optional firmware extensions enable 21 CFR Part 11–compliant electronic signatures, user-access-level controls, and immutable audit trails—fully traceable to individual acquisition events.

Applications

• Raman spectroscopy: High SNR detection of weak Stokes/anti-Stokes bands with minimal thermal background
• Fluorescence lifetime and quantum yield measurements using gated or TCSPC-compatible triggering
• UV-Vis absorption and reflectance analysis in pharmaceutical and material science labs
• Plasma emission monitoring in semiconductor process tools and combustion diagnostics
• OEM integration into portable spectrometers, environmental sensors, and educational lab platforms
• Time-resolved spectroscopy where sub-second spectral kinetics require high frame-rate stability and reproducibility

FAQ

What is the typical cooling stabilization time from ambient to −60 °C?
Stabilization typically requires ≤15 minutes under standard laboratory conditions (25 °C, still air), with thermal drift <±0.1 °C/h after equilibrium.
Is external triggering supported for synchronization with pulsed light sources?
Yes—the camera supports TTL-compatible external trigger input (rising-edge active) with programmable delay (1–100 ms resolution) and exposure gating down to 100 µs minimum.
Can the DField-VS-A2 be operated in vertical binning mode to enhance sensitivity?
Yes—full vertical binning (256 rows → 1 row) is supported, increasing effective well depth and reducing readout time, achieving up to 88 spectra/s as specified.
Does the camera include factory spectral calibration data?
Each unit ships with a NIST-traceable pixel-to-wavelength mapping file (generated using Hg/Ar/Ne lamp lines), delivered as a CSV coefficient set for direct import into ZolixScan or third-party analysis software.
What is the expected MTBF and warranty coverage?
Rated MTBF exceeds 25,000 hours; ZOLIX provides a 24-month limited warranty covering materials and workmanship, extendable to 36 months with annual service contract registration.