SOPHIA®Ultra-Low-Noise CCD Cameras

SOPHIA® has ultra-low-noise electronics, with high sensitivity (>95% QE), speed and flexibility with multi-port readout capabilities up to 16 MHz and high frame rates. ArcTec™ technology allows for thermoelectric cooling without chillers or cryo-coolers.

  • >95% peak QE
  • 2 e- readout
  • Fast, multiport readout
  • ArcTec™ deep cooling

Key Features

Readout graph

Ultra-flexible performance

The SOPHIA provides multiple readout modes, with complete triggering support and independently optimized clocking for each combination, even ultrafast events can be captured.

The SOPHIA also contains a field-replaceable internal mechanical shutter for enhanced flexibility.

ArcTec™ cooling technology

Taking advantage of an all-metal hermetically sealed vacuum design, the ArcTec™ cooling technology prevents outgassing or long-term degradation. A custom heat sink design is utilized to ensure efficient thermal dissipation from the sensor and electronics.

The ArcTec™ available are air cooling only, liquid cooling only (for vibration-sensitive environments), or a combination.

SOPHIA 4096B Features

Improved Optical Design

The SOPHIA4096B has an improved field flattener and reduced window-to-CCD surface distance and window thickness. It offers improved edge sharpness and lower distortion.

Repeatable CCD positioning

With the ability to “zero out” variability in mechanical assembly, the SOPHIA 4096B can achieve precise, repeatable CCD orientation. The adjustable tilt, pitch and z-axis translation reduces the requirement for system-level adjustment.

Multi-TEC Design

The redesigned CCD cooling mechanism and vacuum chamber guarantees even heat dissipation for very large CCD formats, withstanding thermal cycling.

Lightfield Graph

Powered by LightField software

Powerful and intuitive software with built-in math engine allows for the complete control of cameras and spectrographs, with real-time image analysis and spectral data.

LightField software provides seamless integration of hardware controls and direct data acquisition into programmes such as National Instruments’ LabVIEW® and MathWorks’ MATLAB®. This software also fully supports IntelliCal automated wavelength and intensity calibration.

The SOPHIA can also be fully controlled by PICAM SDK, eliminating any overhead that can occur when communicating through other development environments.

Family Specifications

Dark current at -90℃ 0.0001 e-/p/s
Imaging area 27.6 x 27.6 mm
Deepest cooling temperature < -90℃with liquid chiller or air
Cooling method Thermoelectric air or liquid cooling
Supported interfaces USB 3.0

Camera Models

B: Back-illuminated R: Deep-depletion
X: eXcelon™ technology UV: UV enhanced
MB: Midband AR coating A: Astro deep-depletion
AR: dual AR coating

Model
Imaging array
Sensor Type
Pixel Size
Datasheet

SOPHIA 2048B-132-VS-R

Imaging array

2048 X 2048

Sensor Type

Back-illuminated, deep depleted

Pixel Size

13.5 x 13.5 μm

Datasheet
Model
Imaging array
Sensor Type
Pixel Size
Datasheet

SOPHIA 2048B-132-VS-UV

Imaging array

2048 X 2048

Sensor Type

Back-Illuminated, UV enhanced

Pixel Size

13.5 x 13.5 μm

Datasheet
Model
Imaging array
Sensor Type
Pixel Size
Datasheet

SOPHIA 2048B-152-VS-X

Imaging array

2048 X 2048

Sensor Type

Back-illuminated, with eXcelon™

Pixel Size

15.0 x 15.0 μm

Datasheet
Model
Imaging array
Sensor Type
Pixel Size
Datasheet

SOPHIA 2048B-152-VS-MB

Imaging array

2048 X 2048

Sensor Type

Back-illuminated, midband AR coating

Pixel Size

15.0 x 15.0 μm

Datasheet
Model
Imaging array
Sensor Type
Pixel Size
Datasheet

SOPHIA 4096B-154-MB

Imaging array

4096 X 4096

Sensor Type

Back-illuminated, midband AR coating

Pixel Size

15.0 x 15.0 μm

Datasheet
Model
Imaging array
Sensor Type
Pixel Size
Datasheet

SOPHIA 4096B-154-X

Imaging array

4096 X 4096

Sensor Type

Back-illuminated, with eXcelon™

Pixel Size

15.0 x 15.0 μm

Datasheet
Model
Imaging array
Sensor Type
Pixel Size
Datasheet

SOPHIA 4096B-154AMB

Imaging array

4096 X 4096

Sensor Type

Back-illuminated, astro midband

Pixel Size

15.0 x 15.0 μm

Datasheet
Model
Imaging array
Sensor Type
Pixel Size
Datasheet

SOPHIA 4096B-154-AAR

Imaging array

4096 X 4096

Sensor Type

Back-illuminated, astro deep depleted, dual AR coatings

Pixel Size

15.0 x 15.0 μm

Datasheet

Current Research

Research Stories

Featured stories of exciting research using our cameras and spectrometers.

Published Research

Compilation of published research achieved using our cameras and spectrometers.