HighSpeed IRO
Lens coupled image intensifier module for high-speed camera systems
The HighSpeed IRO is an Intensified Relay Optic system equipped with an extremely fast gated high precision shutter control. It improves the performance of LaVision’s high-speed camera series or other commonly used CMOS cameras.
The HighSpeed IRO offers:
highest UV sensitivity
sensitivity peak within visible range
short gating times down to 10 ns
enhanced lens coupling unit resulting in reduced vignetting (signal decrease to the rim)
The HighSpeed IRO is a modular lens-coupled system to be mounted in front of high-speed cameras. It has an optimized image intensifier system with fast P46 phosphors for high frame-rate recording without ghosting into subsequent frames.
LaVision HighSpeed IRO is available as single-stage (MCP) system or 2-stage (MCP and booster) system. The 2-stage intensifier system configuration yields approx. 10 times higher signal output compared to single-stage system.
For highest frame rates a 2-stage system is required to get adequate dynamic behavior, for moderate frame rates up to approx. 20 kHz a single-stage system can be sufficient. The max. achievable frame-rate when using a single-stage system is also dependent on the parameters of the highspeed camera in use.
The IRO controller ensures optimized synchronization to the camera offering various timing modes and automatic enabling/disabling synchronous to the camera recording. Controlling is done via local keypad or remote by the IRO App or by LaVision DaVis program via USB interface. The controller offers the timing modes: Internal, Direct and Burst Seq.
The HighSpeed IRO lens system is a 1:1 coupling optics optimized for highest collection efficiency, resolution and minimized shading (center to rim) for object diameter of 25 mm. The 1:1 coupling matches optimal typical large CMOS high-speed camera sensors, as this way the whole sensor is illuminated by the image of the 25 mm intensifier.
An appropriate mounting kit consisting of 500 mm optical rail with 3 clamps, posts and holders is included in the system. The rail holds the HighSpeed IRO and the CMOS camera. An optional add on “HighSpeed IRO Focusing Base Mount” allows easy focusing of the HighSpeed IRO to the CMOS camera.
General System Specification
Spectral range
190 – 800 nm (depending on photo cathode)
Max. repetition rate
up to 300 kHz with 10 ns gate for 2-stage systems
up to 20 kHz with 10 ns gate for single-stage systems depending on camera model used
Min. exposure time
10 ns in internal mode
Lens coupling
1:1, η~ 12%
Input adapter
Nikon F-mount
Vignetting
< 10% (center to rim)
Image Intensifier
2-stage system
intensifier type: 1st stage: Gen 2 proximity focused MCP 2nd stage: Gen 1 proximity tube (booster)
Single-stage system
intensifier type 1st stage: Gen 2 proximity focused MCP
Diameter
25 mm
Input window
quartz (other on request)
Photo cathode
S20 (S25), minimum gate 10 ns
Phosphor screen
P46, decay time < 3 μs (to 1%)
Electronics
Operation modes
Internal
Gating (exposure)
10 ns – 80 ms (5 ns/3 ns with PS-delay option)
Delay
0 – 80 ms
Delay/gate resolution
5 ns steps (1 ns with PS-delay option)
Direct
Gating (exposure)
follows external TTL signal
Gate min.
5 ns (3 ns optional)
Burst Seq.
Multiple gate pulses as in mode internal released by one external trigger.
Max frequency
300 kHz corresponding to min cycle time = 3.3 µs for delay/gate entries
Programming
Remote
control via USB interface
Control
a) local via LCD keypad/display
b) remote from PC via DaVis or IRO App
Power supply
230 V or 110 V
Non-Uniformity
+/-15% for MCP image intensifiers
+/-10% for NON-MCP intensifiers (boosters)
Cathode Sensitivity
The dynamic behavior is determined by the maximum amount of recharge current and the optimized configuration of components. A selected gain factor cannot be maintained in a stable operation when the recharge current cannot deliver the required number of electrons for that gain. This effect is called ‘depletion’. At smaller signal levels (few counts) this will show up at higher repetition rates. A good high-speed intensifier can maintain linearity even at full signal level (1024 counts for a 10 bit camera) up to very high repetition rates. The maximum signal current depends on the pixel size and sensitivity of the selected camera detector
HighSpeed IRO Dynamics
The HighSpeed IRO dynamics specifies the linear range limit for recording a constant signal where the signal degradation is less than 10% of the original signal at first frames.
The graph shows the signal degradation of HighSpeed IRO as function of frame rate for various high-speed cameras at a constant signal level of 1000 cnts. The solid lines represent the 2-stage HighSpeed IRO systems. The dashed lines are given for single-stage HighSpeed IRO systems.
Dimensions
Size (L x W x H)
300 x 135 x 155 mm3
Weight
~ 6 kg
An optional focusing mount with micrometer screw is available for precise alignment of the focal plane of the high-speed camera with respect to the HighSpeed IRO.
Ordering information
Part number
Description
1102052
HighSpeed IRO, 25 mm, 10 ns, 300 kHz, S20, 2-stage, with 1:1 coupling
1102054
HighSpeed IRO, 25 mm,10 ns, 300 kHz, S25, 2-stage, with 1:1 coupling
1102057
HighSpeed IRO, 25mm, 10ns, 20 kHz, S20, single-stage,with 1: 1 coupling
1010103
Adapter for FASTCAM SA4 / SA1.1 / SA5 cameras
1010104
Adapter for FASTCAM SA4 / SA1.1 / SA5 cameras w/o internal mech. shutter
1010105
Adapter for FASTCAM SA-X2 / SA-Z cameras
1010633
Adapter for FASTCAM Mini AX
1008857
Adapter for Phantom vx1x / vx4x / vxx1x / vxx4x cameras
1011486
Adapter for Phantom Miro and VEO cameras
1010219
Adapter for Imager HS 4M camera
1102056
HighSpeed IRO focusing base mount including micrometer screw for easy focusing, see separate datasheet for further information
and required camera specific adapters