HiCATT | Ultra High Speed Intensifier

HiCATT – Ultra High Speed Intensifier reaching 1,000,000 fps and above

The HiCATT is a high-speed intensifier engineered to work with high-speed and ultra-high-speed cameras (1 MHz and above). It amplifies low light level images by up to 500,000 times, depending on the intensifier tube and wavelength. This enhancement increases the sensitivity of the connected high-speed camera, allowing it to capture clear images in low-light conditions.

Reach higher frame rates, image faster

The below video demonstrates a blue flame emerging from a torch, captured without and with the HiCATT attached to a Vision Research TMX 7150 at 200,000 fps. The image quality at 200,000 fps is significantly improved when using the HiCATT. The 1 MHz version of the HiCATT enables imaging at 1,000,000 fps and above (burst mode).

Make your camera sensitive to UV light, and image combustion 

All high-speed cameras are insensitive to UV light because their optical components block UV light from reaching the detector. The HiCATT can convert incoming UV light into visible light at 532 nm, making it detectable by the camera. The following video shows the same flame observed with an OH filter (10 nm bandpass centered around 310 nm) at 100,000 fps. The natural emission of the flame at atmospheric pressure and through the filter emits very low light levels. Despite these conditions, the video demonstrates a satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and image quality. This recording was performed at Axiom Optics Lab in Somerville, MA, USA, using a HiCATT Gen2 1 MHz coupled to a Vision Research TMX 7150 at 100,000 fps, with a 100 mm CERCO UV lens.

A versatile and customizable high speed intensifier

The ultra-high-speed intensifier can operate at repetition rates of up to 1 MHz in continuous mode and 10 MHz in burst mode. Various intensifier control units offer functionalities from analog gain control to full digital control, including an internal trigger generator and programmable gate trains. With a broad selection of Gen II and Gen III image intensifiers, the HiCATT provides high sensitivity down to the single-photon level and the optimal spectral bandwidth for diverse applications. Different models are available, covering a range of spectral sensitivities, phosphors, spatial resolutions, gains, linearities, minimum gate widths, and gating frequencies. Standard models of the HiCATT feature a single MCP in the first-stage image intensifier, with dual MCP image intensifiers available upon request.

High quality UV lenses from CERCO

Axiom Optics offers three uv lenses with 28, 45, and 100 mm focal length from CERCO that have been designed for video cameras with image intensifier working with UV light. These UV lenses are usable from ultraviolet to near infrared without focusing adjustment. Two types are proposed: standard multicoated type, optimized from 240 nm to 410 nm wavelength range, and uncoated type, usable from 190 nm to 900 nm. The 100 mm focal length was specifically designed for 25 mm images and therefore is a perfect match for the HICATT 25. Visit the downloads tab for more information on these lenses. 

Image intensifier layout

For time-resolved imaging, a gate unit (f) is used together with the image intensifier to yield an electro-optical shutter. The gate unit either generates a high voltage pulse signal or follows an external TTL pulse. The pulse width is variable and follows a TTL input pulse over the range from less than 3 ns to DC at a repetition rate up to 300 kHz.

Spectral response and phosphor decay time

**P20, P24 and P47 available on request

High Speed Intensifier Working Principle

On the photocathode (1), incoming photons are converted into electrons. These electrons are then accelerated in an electric field toward the Multi-Channel Plate (MCP, 2) and collide with the channel walls. Depending on the voltage across the channel, this collision generates multiple electrons through secondary emission. This cloud of electrons is accelerated toward the anode screen (3), where they are reconverted into photons by the phosphor layer. These photons are directed by a fiberoptic faceplate (3) to the entrance of the second stage (booster). In the second stage, photons are again converted to electrons by the photocathode (4) and accelerated to the anode screen (5), where the image is produced. Finally, the relay lens (6) transfers the image from the back of the intensifier onto the mounted camera.

Lambert mechanical shutter

Read our important technical blog posts about the HICATT