Princeton Instruments PI-MAX4, Manual

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158 PI-MAX
®
4 System Manual Issue 9
Frames to Save
must be a multiple of two (2) and is configured on the
Common
Acquisitions Settings
expander. See Figure 9-2 .
Figure 9-2: Common Acquisition Settings Expander
In addition, it is recommended that the intensifier have a fast decay phosphor (P46.) Since
DIF operation involves acquiring images in rapid succession, phosphor persistence can
become the limiting factor in the rate of image acquisition.
9.2 Interline CCD Operation
An interline CCD is composed of an array of hybrid pixels that incorporate a light-sensitive
area and a masked area into each pixel element. Image data is collected in the light-sensitive
area of a pixel and is then shifted into the masked area for readout. With this architecture,
the CCD can acquire a second image while the first image is being read out, unlike a
standard CCD, which must read out the first image before the second acquisition can begin.
The ability of the interline CCD to quickly transfer an image into the masked areas and hold
it there makes DIF possible. As soon as the first image is acquired, it is shifted into the
masked area and held. The second exposure begins and is held in the light-sensitive area
until the first image is read out.
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9_010
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