Princeton Instruments PhotonMAX System, Manual, Page: 9 / 98

Chapter 1 Introduction 9
Precautions
To prevent permanently damaging the system, please observe the following precautions:
•
The CCD array is very sensitive to static electricity. Touching the CCD can
destroy it. Operations requiring contact with the device can only be performed at
the factory.
•
If you are using high-voltage equipment (such as an arc lamp) with your camera
system, be sure to turn the camera power ON LAST and turn the camera power
OFF FIRST.
•
Use caution when triggering high-current switching devices (such as an arc lamp)
near your system. The CCD can be permanently damaged by transient voltage
spikes. If electrically noisy devices are present, an isolated, conditioned power
line or dedicated isolation transformer is highly recommended.
•
Do not block air vents on the camera. Preventing the free flow of air overheats
the camera and may damage it.
UV Coating
If you have a camera with a UV (lumogen or Unichrome) coated CCD, protect it from
unnecessary exposure to UV radiation. This radiation slowly bleaches the coating,
reducing sensitivity.
Cleaning
Turn off all power to the equipment and secure all covers before cleaning the units.
Otherwise, damage to the equipment or injury to you could occur.
Camera
Although there is no periodic maintenance that needs to be performed on a PhotonMAX
camera, users are advised to wipe it down with a clean damp cloth from time to time.
This operation should only be done on the external surfaces and with all covers secured.
In dampening the cloth, use clean water only. No soap, solvents or abrasives should be
used. Not only are they not required, but they could damage the finish of the surfaces on
which they are used.
Optical Surfaces
As a good practice, the camera must be closed/capped off with the supplied dust cover or
lens cap when not in use. Should a need to clean the optical window arise due to the
accumulation of atmospheric dust, we advise that the
drag-wipe technique be used. This
involves dipping a clean cellulose lens tissue into clean anhydrous methanol, and then
dragging the dampened tissue over the optical surface to be cleaned. Do not allow any
other material to touch the optical surfaces. Pay extra attention if the optical window is
coated with AR (anti-reflection) materials as they can be susceptible to scratches. Please
contact factory if you have any questions.
Caution
WARNING!