Zelux™ 1.6 MP CMOS Compact Scientific Cameras

Jason Mills
General Manager,
Thorlabs Scientific Imaging

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Features

• Monochrome or Color CMOS Sensor
• 1/2.9" Format, 1440 x 1080 Pixel (1.6 MP) Sensor with 3.45 µm Square Pixels
• Ultra-Compact Housing: 0.59" x 1.72" x 1.86"
• SM1-Threaded (1.035"-40) Aperture:
  • Requires SM1A10 Adapter for CS-Mount Lenses (Not Included)
  • Requires SM1A10Z Adapter C-Mount Lenses (Not Included)
• High Quantum Efficiency (69% at 575 nm for Monochrome Version)
• <4.0 e^- RMS Read Noise
• Global Shutter for Imaging Rapidly Changing Scenes
• Versions Available with External Hardware Triggers
• USB 3.0 Interface
• Compatible with 30 mm Cage System
• Available with Either 1/4"-20 or M6 Tapped Holes for Post Mounting

Software

• ThorCam™ Software for Windows^® 7 and 10 Operating Systems
• SDK and Programming Interfaces Provide Support for:
  
  • C, C++, C#, Python, and Visual Basic .NET APIs
  • LabVIEW, MATLAB, and µManager Third-Party Software

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All Zelux Cameras are shipped with an SM1EC2B snap-on lens cap to protect the sensor while cameras are not in use.

Thorlabs' ultra-compact, lightweight Zelux™ Cameras with CMOS Sensors are designed to provide the imaging performance of a scientific camera at the price of a typical general-purpose camera. These cameras offer low read noise and high sensitivity while maintaining a small footprint. The global shutter captures the entire field of view simultaneously, allowing for imaging of rapidly changing scenes.

Each camera has a USB 3.0 interface and can be controlled through our ThorCam software; see the Software tab for more information. Versions are available with or without MMCX connectors for external triggering to synchronize image capture with other devices. Two MMCX-to-BNC cables (item # CA3339) are included with versions that have external hardware triggers.

The aperture of each camera has SM1 (1.035"-40) threading for compatibility with Ø1" Lens Tubes. CS- and C-Mount (1.000"-32) adapters are available below for compatibility with many microscopes, machine vision camera lenses, and C-mount extension tubes. These cameras are available with either monochrome or color sensors. The monochrome cameras feature a clear AR-coated window, while the color cameras feature an IR blocking filter that cuts off transmission above 650 nm. Each optic can be removed and replaced with another Ø25 mm or Ø1" optic up to 1.27 mm thick. The window and filter are held in place by an SM1RR Retaining Ring, which can be tightened using an SPW602 or SPW606 Spanner Wrench (sold separately).  

Two 1/4"-20 or M6 tapped holes on adjacent sides of each Zelux camera housing provide compatibility with Ø1" pedestal or pillar posts and many standard tripod mounts. Four 4-40 tapped holes on the front of the housing allow the camera to be mounted into our 30 mm cage system. The combination of flexible mounting options and compact size makes these cameras an ideal choice for integrating into lab-built imaging systems as well as those based on commercial microscopes.

ThorCam™

ThorCam is a powerful image acquisition software package that is designed for use with our cameras on 32- and 64-bit Windows^® 7 or 10 systems. This intuitive, easy-to-use graphical interface provides camera control as well as the ability to acquire and play back images. Single image capture and image sequences are supported. Please refer to the screenshots below for an overview of the software's basic functionality.

Application programming interfaces (APIs) and a software development kit (SDK) are included for the development of custom applications by OEMs and developers. The SDK provides easy integration with a wide variety of programming languages, such as C, C++, C#, Python, and Visual Basic .NET. Support for third-party software packages, such as LabVIEW, MATLAB, and µManager is available. We also offer example Arduino code for integration with our TSI-IOBOB2 Interconnect Break-Out Board.

For customers with loan units of our Zelux cameras, please contact sales.tsi@thorlabs.com for information on software functionality and downloads.

Click the Highlighted Regions to Explore ThorCam Features

Camera Control and Image Acquisition

Camera Control and Image Acquisition functions are carried out through the icons along the top of the window, highlighted in orange in the image above. Camera parameters may be set in the popup window that appears upon clicking on the Tools icon. The Snapshot button allows a single image to be acquired using the current camera settings.

The Start and Stop capture buttons begin image capture according to the camera settings, including triggered imaging.

Timed Series and Review of Image Series

The Timed Series control, shown in Figure 1, allows time-lapse images to be recorded. Simply set the total number of images and the time delay in between captures. The output will be saved in a multi-page TIFF file in order to preserve the high-precision, unaltered image data. Controls within ThorCam allow the user to play the sequence of images or step through them frame by frame.

Measurement and Annotation

As shown in the yellow highlighted regions in the image above, ThorCam has a number of built-in annotation and measurement functions to help analyze images after they have been acquired. Lines, rectangles, circles, and freehand shapes can be drawn on the image. Text can be entered to annotate marked locations. A measurement mode allows the user to determine the distance between points of interest.

The features in the red, green, and blue highlighted regions of the image above can be used to display information about both live and captured images.

ThorCam also features a tally counter that allows the user to mark points of interest in the image and tally the number of points marked (see Figure 2). A crosshair target that is locked to the center of the image can be enabled to provide a point of reference.

Third-Party Applications and Support

ThorCam is bundled with support for third-party software packages such as LabVIEW, MATLAB, and .NET. Both 32- and 64-bit versions of LabVIEW and MATLAB are supported. A full-featured and well-documented API, included with our cameras, makes it convenient to develop fully customized applications in an efficient manner, while also providing the ability to migrate through our product line without having to rewrite an application.

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Figure 1: A timed series of 10 images taken at 1 second intervals is saved as a multipage TIFF.

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Figure 2: A screenshot of the ThorCam software showing some of the analysis and annotation features. The Tally function was used to mark four locations in the image. A blue crosshair target is enabled and locked to the center of the image to provide a point of reference.

Performance Considerations

Please note that system performance limitations can lead to "dropped frames" when image sequences are saved to the disk. The ability of the host system to keep up with the camera's output data stream is dependent on multiple aspects of the host system. Note that the use of a USB hub may impact performance. A dedicated connection to the PC is preferred. USB 2.0 connections are not supported.

First, it is important to distinguish between the frame rate of the camera and the ability of the host computer to keep up with the task of displaying images or streaming to the disk without dropping frames. The frame rate of the camera is a function of exposure and readout (e.g. clock, ROI) parameters. Based on the acquisition parameters chosen by the user, the camera timing emulates a digital counter that will generate a certain number of frames per second. When displaying images, this data is handled by the graphics system of the computer; when saving images and movies, this data is streamed to disk. If the hard drive is not fast enough, this will result in dropped frames.

One solution to this problem is to ensure that a solid state drive (SSD) is used. This usually resolves the issue if the other specifications of the PC are sufficient. Note that the write speed of the SSD must be sufficient to handle the data throughput.

Larger format images at higher frame rates sometimes require additional speed. In these cases users can consider implementing a RAID0 configuration using multiple SSDs or setting up a RAM drive. While the latter option limits the storage space to the RAM on the PC, this is the fastest option available. ImDisk is one example of a free RAM disk software package. It is important to note that RAM drives use volatile memory. Hence it is critical to ensure that the data is moved from the RAM drive to a physical hard drive before restarting or shutting down the computer to avoid data loss.

Triggered Camera Operation

Our Zelux scientific cameras are available with or without MMCX connectors for external triggering to synchronize image capture with other devices. For Zelux cameras with MMCX connectors, there are three externally triggered operating modes: streaming overlapped exposure, asynchronous triggered acquisition, and bulb exposure driven by an externally generated trigger pulse. The trigger modes operate independently of the readout (e.g., binning) settings as well as gain and offset. Figures 1 through 3 show the timing diagrams for these trigger modes, assuming an active low external TTL trigger.

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Figure 1: Streaming overlapped exposure mode. When the external trigger goes low, the exposure begins and continues for the software-selected exposure time, followed by the readout. This sequence then repeats at the set time interval. Subsequent external triggers are ignored until the camera operation is halted.

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Figure 2: Asynchronous triggered acquisition mode. When the external trigger signal goes low, an exposure begins for the preset time, and then the exposure is read out of the camera. During the readout time, the external trigger is ignored. Once a single readout is complete, the camera will begin the next exposure only when the external trigger signal goes low.

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Figure 3: Bulb exposure mode. The exposure begins when the external trigger signal goes low and ends when the external trigger signal goes high. Trigger signals during camera readout are ignored.

Camera Specific Timing Considerations

Due to the general operation of our Zelux CMOS cameras, as well as typical system propagation delays, the timing relationships shown above are subject to the following considerations:

1. The delay from the external trigger to the start of the exposure and strobe signals is typically 12 µs to 15.5 µs for all triggered modes (standard and bulb).
2. For bulb mode triggered exposures, in addition to the 12 µs to 15.5 µs delay at the start of the exposure, there is also a fixed exposure time error after the falling edge of the external trigger. This is inherent in the sensor operation.The fixed exposure time error for the CS165 models is 14.26 µs.

It is important to note that the Strobe_Out signal includes the additional fixed exposure time error and therefore is a better representation of the actual exposure time. We suggest using the Strobe_Out signal to measure exposure time and adjust the bulb mode trigger pulse accordingly

About Thorlabs Scientific Imaging

Thorlabs Scientific Imaging (TSI) is a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to solving the most challenging imaging problems. We design and manufacture low-noise, high performance scientific cameras, interface devices, and software at our facility in Austin, Texas. In addition, we are leveraging the engineering experience across Thorlabs, a vertically integrated photonics products manufacturer, to bring to market a line of integrated imaging systems, including our forthcoming, patent-pending system for whole-slide scanning.

A Message from TSI's General Manager

As a researcher, you are accustomed to solving difficult problems but may be frustrated by the inadequacy of the available instrumentation and tools. The product development team at Thorlabs Scientific Imaging is continually looking for new challenges to push the boundaries of Scientific Cameras using various sensor technologies. We welcome your input in order to leverage our team of senior research and development engineers to help meet your advanced imaging needs.

Thorlabs' purpose is to support advances in research through our product offerings. Your input will help us steer the direction of our scientific camera product line to support these advances. If you have a challenging application that requires a more advanced scientific camera than is currently available, I would be excited to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Jason Mills
General Manager
Thorlabs Scientific Imaging