Company History
Princeton Instruments (PI) is the world's leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance light detection systems for spectroscopy, imaging, X-ray, security, and laser optics applications. Princeton Instruments has shaped the "state of the art" in CCD, EMCCD, and ICCD camera technologies since the early 1980s.
Princeton Instruments' key innovations include a first-in-the-industry spectroscopy camera which included a photodiode array (and later, the first to use a CCD), as well as the first high-performance, gated, intensified CCD camera.
In addition to breaking new ground in the field of spectroscopy over the years, we have designed CCD cameras with the highest sensitivity available for scientific imaging applications (~2 e- rms read noise with QE >90%). And for high speed, low-light applications, we now offer our no-compromise EMCCD cameras.
The following innovations developed in our labs continue to push the boundaries of technology:
- No compromise, deep cooled EMCCD cameras (PhotonMAX)
- Compact, unparalleled performance in air cooling (PIXIS)
- High-frame rate, gated, intensified CCD cameras (PI•MAX)
- Integrated, state-of-the-art Programmable Timing Generator (PTG)
- Latest plug-and-play data interfaces (USB 2.0)
- Guaranteed lifetime vacuum
- Thermoelectric cooling to -100°C without liquid assistance (XTE platform)
- InGaAs detectors with sensitivity to 2.2 µm (OMA V)
Acton Research Corporation is a leading manufacturer of high-performance optical coatings, optics, opto-mechanical assemblies, and spectroscopic instrumentation. It has provided superior quality and service to research, semiconductor, medical, material science, and industrial markets since 1961. Our spectroscopy business, which began in 1978, first produced vacuum and UHV spectrometers for government and research laboratories.
Acton Optics & Coatings, now a division of Princeton Instruments, has a history of innovative design and manufacturing processes which began in the early 60's with the development of VUV coatings and optical filters used primarily in analytical and aerospace applications. In the 1970s, Acton was involved in providing laser mirrors to the first excimer laser developers. Presently, Acton optics and optical coatings are produced for cutting-edge applications including semiconductor laser systems and excimer laser vision-correction instruments (LASIK), as well as a variety of analytical instrumentation systems.
The Acton brand of spectroscopy products - now part of Princeton Instruments Spectroscopy Group - continuously delivers new technological standards, including:
- TriVista CRS and MonoVista CRS Confocal Raman Systems
- TriVista Triple Spectrograph Systems
- Acton Series of multi-grating monochromators and spectrographs
- Acton LS Series - Lens Spectrographs
Princeton Instruments operates under the Scientific and Industrial Imaging segment of Roper Industries, Inc.