Products: PyLoN Cameras for Imaging & Spectroscopy

Princeton Instruments (PI), world leader in delivering extremely low noise liquid nitrogen and thermoelectrically deep cooled scientific CCD cameras, is proud to present its extremely successful line of liquid nitrogen cooled PyLoN cameras with the following salient features:
- Support for CCDs with 1340 x 100 to 2048 x 2048 pixels resolution and 13 x 13 µm to 26 x 26 µm pixels
- Sensitivity from ~120 nm to ~ 1100 nm (UV to NIR) wavelength range with eXcelon technology
- Cryogenic Cooling to -120 ºC
- Flexible readout design
- Flexible readout speeds from 50 kHz to 4 MHz
- Digital correlated double sampling and bias stabilization
- High Speed GigE interface
- Powerful 64-bit LightField software
Every day Princeton Instruments' PyLoN cameras play a key role in revolutionary research performed in leading labs around the world. These compact cameras include all the essentials for tackling demanding dark noise-limited imaging and spectroscopy applications. PyLoN, which has dark current levels on the order of 1 e-/pixel/hour, is ideal for photon-starved applications requiring long exposure times from minutes to hours such as tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), astronomy and photoluminescence.
NIR fluorescence spectra. The PyLoN camera supports high-resolution front-illuminated (F/I), back-illuminated (B/I), and back-illuminated deep-depletion (B/I DD) imaging and spectroscopy CCDs. Every PyLoN camera delivers the highest sensitivity, lowest noise and highest dynamic range in its class. |
Sensitivity from ~ 120 nm to
~ 1100 nm:
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Broadest wavelength coverage for the widest variety of applications
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> 95% quantum efficiency (QE) with selected CCDs
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High QE in UV with UV enhanced CCD or Unichrome / Lumogen phosphor coating
- Enhanced sensitivity and reduced etaloning with proprietary eXcelon technology
Cryogenic cooling to -120 ºC delivers:
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Ultralow dark current for exposure times of minutes to hours
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Dark current on the order of 1 e-/pixel/hour
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Single input window for maximum sensitivity
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Refill requirement of only once a day
- Experimental flexibility with optional end-on and all-directional dewars
Dual-amplifier readout design delivers:
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Ultimate flexibility to optimize system performance
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Reduced read noise for weak signals with high sensitivity amplifier
- Increased effective dynamic range with high capacity amplifier
Digital correlated double sampling and bias stabilization delivers:
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Best read noise performance below 1 MHz readout speed
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Improved linearity
- Constant baseline for multiple exposure, long integration time applications
High-speed GigE interface:
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Industry standard computer interface without the need for additional hardware
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Seamless plug-and-play connectivity with the latest desktops and laptops
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Remote operation from more than 15 meters away
- Maximum 4 MHz readout rate with true 16-bit data transfer

Powerful 64-bit software delivers:
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Intutive user interface
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Easily automate experimental setup for multi-user labs
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Simple background, flatfield and defect correction
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Accurate wavelength and intensity calibration for spectroscopy with optional Intellical (TM) software
- Universal programming interface - PICAM (64 bit) - for custom programming
Flexible readout speeds from 50 kHz to 4 MHz delivers:
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Lowest read noise at 50 kHz readout speed
- Highest spectral rate over 1000 frames/sec at 4 MHz readout speed
Proprietary eXcelon technology delivers:
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Highest sensitivity in UV and NIR
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Back illuminated CCDs with reduced etaloning
- Back illuminated, deep depletion CCDs with negligible etaloning

PyLoN Cameras for Imaging & Spectroscopy model comparison and datasheets
Model | Imaging Array | Pixel Size | Sensor Type | Peak QE* |
---|---|---|---|---|
100B ![]() |
1340 x 100 | 20 x 20 µm | B/I | 95% |
100B eXcelon ![]() |
1340 x 100 | 20 x 20 µm | B/I | 95% |
100BR ![]() |
1340 x 100 | 20 x 20 µm | B/I DD | 95% |
100BR_eXcelon ![]() |
1340 x 100 | 20 x 20 µm | B/I DD | 98% |
100F ![]() |
1340 x 100 | 20 x 20 µm | F/I | 47% |
400B ![]() |
1340 x 400 | 20 x 20 µm | B/I | 95% |
400B eXcelon ![]() |
1340 x 400 | 20 x 20 µm | B/I | 95% |
400BR ![]() |
1340 x 400 | 20 x 20 µm | B/I DD | 95% |
400BR_eXcelon ![]() |
1340 x 400 | 20 x 20 µm | B/I DD | 98% |
400F ![]() |
1340 x 400 | 20 x 20 µm | F/I | 47% |
2KB ![]() |
2048 x 512 | 13.5 x 13.5 µm | B/I | 95% |
2KB_eXcelon ![]() |
2048 x 512 | 13.5 x 13.5 µm | B/I | 95% |
2KBUV ![]() |
2048 x 512 | 13.5 x 13.5 µm | B/I UV | 67% |
2KF ![]() |
2048 x 512 | 13.5 x 13.5 µm | F/I | 47% |
256E ![]() |
1024 x 253 | 26 x 26 µm | F/I open electrode | 55% |
256BR ![]() |
1024 x 252 | 26 x 26 µm | B/I DD | 95% |
1300B ![]() |
1340 x 1300 | 20 x 20 µm | B/I | 95% |
1300B eXcelon ![]() |
1340 x 1300 | 20 x 20 µm | B/I | 95% |
1300BR ![]() |
1340 x 1300 | 20 x 20 µm | B/I DD | 95% |
1300F ![]() |
1340 x 1300 | 20 x 20 µm | F/I | 47% |
2048B ![]() |
2048 x 2048 | 13.5 x 13.5 µm | B/I | 95% |
2048B_eXcelon ![]() |
2048 x 2048 | 13.5 x 13.5 µm | B/I | 95% |
2048BR ![]() |
2048 x 2048 | 13.5 x 13.5 µm | B/I DD | 95% |
2048F ![]() |
2048 x 2048 | 13.5 x 13.5 µm | F/I | 47% |
Download the GigE Fiber Optic Interface Kit datasheet
F/I - Front Illuminated | B/I - Back Illuminated | DD - Deep Depletion | UV - UV Enhanced
*Peak quantum efficiency measured at 25°C; QE is typically lower at normal operating temperature.
Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
TERS - Tip-Enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Fluorescence, Phosphorescence, and Photoluminescence Spectroscopy
Fluorescence, phosphorescence and photoluminescence occur when a sample is excited by absorbing photons and then emits them with a decay time that is characteristic of the sample environment.
Astronomical Imaging
Astronomical imaging can be broadly divided into two categories: (1) steady-state imaging, in which long exposures are required to capture ultra-low-light-level objects, and (2) time-resolved photometry, in which integration times range from milliseconds to a few seconds.
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
SERS - Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy
Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) a type of non-linear Raman spectroscopy. Instead of the traditional single laser, two very strong collinear lasers irradiate a sample.
Resonance Raman Spectroscopy
Instead of fluorescence, some types of colored molecules produce strong Raman scattering at certain conditions. This effect was called Resonance Raman.
X-Ray Spectroscopy
X-ray absorption spectroscopy is an element-specific probe of the local structure of elements in a material.
Stimulated Raman Scattering
Stimulated Raman scattering takes place when an excess of Stokes photons that were previously generated by normal Raman scattering are present or are deliberately added to the excitation beam.
Publications
Measurement of Electroluminescence of Graphene/SiC devices. These could be used as wavelength tunable LEDs.
Researchers at RIKEN in Wako, Japan used the Princeton Instruments PyLoN camera as part of their groundbreaking fluorescence spectroscopy experimental setup.
Application Notes
Acquiring and processing Raman spectral data for the C2-D stretching vibration of 2 deuterated histidine
Because of histidine’s importance and unique functionality, we wanted to map out the probe group’s sensitivity to allow for its general use in protein related research.
Tip-Enhanced Raman Scattering (TERS)
Researchers: Samuel Berweger and Prof. Markus Raschke – Department of
Physics, Department of Chemistry, and JILA, University of Colorado at Boulder used Princeton Instruments' camera and spectrograph for their research.
Brochures
Astronomy Brochure
Our state-of-the-art cameras, spectrometers, optics, and coatings are utilized at leading observatories
around the world, providing the most innovative technologies to meet the very latest challenges.
Manuals
Product Manuals
Download operation manuals for Princeton Instruments cameras, spectrometers, and accessories from our ftp site.
Software
LightField 64-bit software - trial download
Download a 45-day free trial of Princeton Instruments' Revolutionary 64-bit data acquisition package for spectroscopy and imaging.
Tech Notes
A Primer on eXcelon CCD technology
This paper provides a basic overview of the advantages and disadvantages of various types of low-light CCDs and introduces an advanced sensor technology, eXcelon, that mitigates some of their inherent limitations.
Videos
News
FERGIE's First Visit to Beijing, China
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SpectraPro Spectrometers
High value, dependable industry standard series of spectrographs and monochromators for a variety of applications.

eXcelon CCD and EMCCD Technology
Patented CCD and EMCCD sensor technology provides the best fringe suppression and broadest sensitivity in the market

GigE Fiber Optic Interface kit
Allows remote operation of GigE cameras from the host PC located up to 550 meters away.