C-BLUE One Series | Global Shutter sCMOS Camera

C-BLUE One  is an ultra-high performance scientific CMOS camera specifically designed for demanding imaging applications in the visible range (400 nm – 1000 nm).

The architecture of the camera has been designed to integrate one of three different new generation sensors: thanks to this flexible design, C-BLUE One is able to cover the largest scope of applications.

The camera can be tailored to be the best pixel size, resolution, and frame rate compromise for your use case:
• C-BLUE One 0.5MP: 812×612 px, 9μm, 1594 FPS
• C-BLUE One 1.7MP: 1608×1104 px, 9μm, 662 FPS
• C-BLUE One 7.1MP: 3208×2200 px, 4.5μm, 207 FPS

In addition, all C-BLUE One cameras offer a very low readout noise enabling imaging in ultra-low light conditions, simultaneously with a global shutter architecture.

Other features include:

• SDK (C, C++, Python)/ LabVIEW / µManager / MatLab
• First Light Vision GUI
• 70% QE (peak at 580nm)
• Outputs: CoaXPress 2.0 – CXP10x2 connection / 10 GigaBit Ethernet (available in 2021)
• GenICam compatible
• Sensor thermal stabilization – cooling down to 0°C
• Air cooling
• Liquid cooling optional with cooling plate for better performances
• C-Mount / CS-Mount
• Size : L 154.3 mm x W 76.2 mm x H 64.1 mm
• Approx. weight: 1.3 kg

A key feature of the camera to enable artefact-free acquisitions in dynamic imaging is the global shutter mode.

For a CMOS sensor, there are two ways to acquire an image:

1. Rolling shutter. The acquisition is made one line after the other, the sensor reads each line of the array sequentially. Pixels are exposed with a temporal shift from one pixel to the next.

2. Global shutter. The full array is exposed entirely at once. All the pixels begin and end the exposure simultaneously. At the end of exposure, the image is transferred to the memory. Then, the image is read-out while the next one is being exposed.

The acquisition mode is an intrinsic characteristic of the camera. However, it is important to understand the differences that will occur in an experimental context when using a camera with rolling or global shutter.
Global shutter is highly advantageous for dynamic imaging applications.

Artefact free. In rolling shutter when the image readout speed cannot match the object’s motion, there is temporal under sampling. A spatial distortion of the moving object, often  referred to as the ‘rolling shutter effect’ appears. The larger the object and the faster the movement, the worst is the distortion. Additionally, as the sensor gets larger and with a higher resolution, the readout of the sensor will take longer, hence, the distortion will get worse. This artefact is different from motion blur which occurs in both global and rolling shutter when the integration time is too long compared to the object’s speed.

A well-known example of the rolling shutter effect occurs when imaging the rotation of blades or propellers. The figure below shows images of a rotating fan acquired in both rolling shutter mode (with a Nikon D500 camera) and global shutter mode (with C-BLUE One). Significant spatial distortion of the fan propellers is visible when using rolling shutter.

Temporal correlation. Even in the absence of distortion the top and the bottom of an image acquired in rolling shutter will not be captured at the exact same time point. Different regions of the image are not correlated in time to other regions. Whereas with global shutter, all pixels are exposed at the same time, allowing for accurate temporal correlation of different areas of the sensor.

Simpler and faster synchronization. Synchronizing a rolling shutter camera to other components, such as a light source, can be difficult due to the time delay between the lines of the sensor. This may result in slower cycle times and frame rates relatively to those achievable in global shutter.

Why is C-BLUE One a game changer?

Rolling shutter uses simpler pixel architecture than global shutter. Therefore usually rolling shutter is less noisy than global shutter, this is why this architecture is used in scientific applications but with all its drawbacks. With C-BLUE One,  simultaneously and for the first time a global shutter architecture and low noise is made possible, which is a major improvement for fast acquisition scientific applications.

By combining a global shutter and high frame rates (up to 662 FPS in full frame) to very low noise, C-BLUE One opens new perspectives for applications that simultaneously require truthful/deformation-free images, high temporal resolution, and high sensitivity.

C-BLUE One will open new horizons for low noise high speed visible imaging.