Long Exposure Imaging with Teledyne Photometrics Retiga E7 CMOS Camera

RETIGA E7 CMOS Cameras™

LONG EXPOSURE OPTIMIZED CMOS CAMERA» Exposures to 60 minutes with dark current of < 0.001 e-/p/s» Superior image quality with the speed of CMOS
» High resolution (7 MP), low read noise (2.1 e-)» True global shutter» Industry-leading chamber sealing technology» Compact form factor for easy integration

Retiga E7 CMOS Camera Datasheet

The Ultimate Long-Exposure CMOS Camera
The Retiga E7 camera is the first in a series of low-cost,
low thermal signal, high-resolution complementary
metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) cameras for longexposure imaging. Designed for easy integration into more
complex imaging systems, the Retiga E7 is the CMOS
camera with the thermal control needed to substitute for
CCD cameras. Users needing exposures ranging fromtens of milliseconds to tens of minutes can rely on theRetiga E7 camera to meet their needs.
The Retiga E7 is a 7-megapixel camera with 4.5µm
pixels and greater than 70% quantum efficiency. Thesensor is cooled to -25°C, minimizing dark current
contributions even when integrating for many minutes.

Capable of both long exposures and fast 50 frames persecond imaging, with a mode change, the E7 provides
the most ﬂexibility for those integrating a camera into animaging system. Unlike CCDs, the E7 CMOS doesn’t
suffer from pixel blooming and smearing when yoursample provides very bright and very dim signals.
The Retiga E7 has an extremely low dark current. Thelong exposure performance is produced through a
combination of sensor power control, sensor cooling,
and dynamic dark field correction. This is all accomplished using air cooling. This makes the E7 the ideal
solution for users developing gel documentation,
chemiluminescence imaging, and other long exposure
methods.

Extended Dynamic Range
Imaging
The goal of, Extended Dynamic Range (EDR) mode, is tocombine Full Well mode’s ability to capture bright signals
with Sensitivity mode’s ability to detect dim signals above
the camera readout noise.
Generation of an Extended Dynamic Range (EDR) image
by the Retiga E7 is dependent on the camera capturing
two exposures of equal duration, one with Sensitivity gainmode and one with Full-Well gain mode. In the resulting
image, the full well capacity remains equivalent to thatfound in Full-Well gain state, but low intensity signals are
better preserved because of the low read noise provided
by Sensitivity gain mode.
EDR images have approximately two and a half fold more
dynamic range than either of the single capture gainstates. This allows better measurement of bright and dim
samples present in your sample. The trade-off for this is
the doubling of the total exposure time.

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Retiga E7 CMOS Camera Datasheet

In the images below of a Harta plate captured at 120 seconds one can see the power of EDR. Each image wascaptured with the Retiga E7 in the mode described using
the same exposure times. Accompanying each image is a

pixel intensity plot in electrons along the center line of theHart plate spots. Contrast has been pushed identically inthese plots, with white representing signals of 50 electrons
or greater, to allow one to discern the dimmest spots.

Sensitivity mode

Full Well image

Extended Dynamic Range mode

In Sensitivity mode, we detect six spots from the Hartaplate, but the two brightest spots saturate, consistent
with the lower full well capacity of this mode. In Full Wellmode, we also detect six spots, with slight saturation at
the center of the brightest spot, and the dimmest, whilevisually detectable is lost to the noise in the line profile.
Extended Dynamic Range mode combines the full wellcapacity of Full Well, and the low noise of Sensitivity modes
to provide more dynamic range image of the sample.
The signal of the brightest spot is the same as that in Full
Well mode, and yet the intensity of the sixth spot, the dimmest captured here, is clearly distinguishable from the noise.

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Retiga E7 CMOS Camera Datasheet

Image Sensitivity and Quality

The Retiga Platform is BothPowerful and Flexible

The Retiga E7 camera has exceptional long exposure
imaging quality, as highlighted in the images below. A
Harta plate was imaged at low intensities, such that thebrightest spots did not saturate the cameras. Twentyminute exposures with the Retiga E7 CMOS camera andwith Teledyne’s QImaging Retiga R6 CCD camera are illustrated below. Visually, there’s little difference between thesensitivity and dynamic range of the E7 CMOS and theCCD, consistent with them having similar dark current
values, pixel size and quantum efficiency.

Fast data transfer over USB 3.2 provides 50 full frames
per second imaging capability as needed. Precise sensor
control, along with cooling to -25°C, allows minutes-longexposures. Two different gain modes select for highsensitivity or high signal level detection. The Retiga E7
provides all the long integration power of CCDs with all
the benefits of modern CMOS cameras to enhance yoursystem performance.

20-minute exposure with Retiga R7 gives CCD-like image quality

Retiga E7 (CMOS sensor)

Retiga R6 (CCD sensor)▲ Figure 2: A 20-minute exposure of the Harta platewith at low signal intensity is illustrated here. Top imageis the Retiga E7, while the bottom image was captured with
the Retiga E6. For display, images were intensity scaled
such that the camera floor is set to black, and 5% of thefull well capacity was set to white. There were nosaturated pixels in either image.

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Retiga E7 CMOS Camera Datasheet

Retiga E7 Long Exposure Image Quality
Heat generates signals in imaging sensors that are indistinguishable from thoses generated by light. To minimize
the heat generated haze and glow generated in longexposure images, several approaches can be used.
Optimizing the power usage in the sensor can reduce thegeneration of heat during the exposure. Similarly, coolingthe sensor reduces the haze and glow generated by heat.
Math can be used to correct for the average heat signal
based on the properties of the sensor. The Retiga E7 uses
all three approaches to reduce dark currents that are
equal to or better than many CCDs on the market.

Quantifying the signal intensities from the Retiga E7 and the Retiga R6 CCD cameras
Retiga E7 – Harta plate signal at 20 minutes◄ Figure 3: Image intensities in grayscales were converted to electrons bysubtracting the camera bias (0 lightat 0 exposure time) and multiplying
the remainder against the camera
gain, expressed as electrons/graylevel, from the camera Certificate ofPerformance. The intensities along
the center line of the Harta plate from
Figure 1 are plotted with the electrons
per pixel plotted on a Log scale on
the Y axis, and pixel position from left
image to right image on the X axis.

Retiga R6 CCD camera – Harta plate signal at 20 minutes

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Retiga E7 CMOS Camera Datasheet

Retiga E7: Hybrid Binning
Charge coupled devices (CCDs) have electrical connections between each pixel. Moving accumulated signal
from one pixel into the next is almost completely noisefree. One approach in CCDs to increase the signal overthe large readout noise is to bin.
Binning in a CCD camera increases the total signal
without increasing camera noise, at the expense ofworse spatial sampling by the bigger “super-pixel.” For
2x2 binning in a CCD, one expects the signal-to-noise
ratio (SNR) to increase by 4. The movement of electrons,
the signal, in CCD sensors is illustrated to the left in thefigure below.

CCDe-CMOS sensors traditionally have no electrical connections
between individual pixels. Binning occurs on CMOS cameras
after readout. CMOS binning adds up signal, but also adds
up the sensor read noise from each pixel. However, since
4 measurements of the pixel intensity were made, thevariability is decreased by the square root of the numberof measurements. In binning 2x2 on a CMOS sensor, theSNR would increase by 2.
Hybrid CMOS sensors, including that in the E7, haveelectrical connections between neighboring pixels, usuallyalong the same column. This provides CCD-like charge
accumulation without extra noise for that pixel pair.
Hybrid binning 2x2 pixels then is a combination of CCDlike binning along the column, with the mathematicalbinning of rows after readout. This provides a lower totalnoise than classic CMOS and a 2.8 fold increase in SNR.

CMOS

e-Readout

ReadoutHybrid CMOS

e-Readout

Readout

Readoutwww.photometrics.com
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Retiga E7 CMOS Camera Datasheet

Features and SpecificationsSpecifications

Camera Performance

SensorCMOS sensor

Active Array Size

3200 x 2200 (7.1 Megapixel)

Pixel Area

4.5µm x 4.5µm (20.25 µm2)

Sensor Area

14.4 mm x 10 mm, 17.6 mm diagonal

Peak QE%> 73%

Readout Mode

Global shutter

Binning

2x1 charge domain (on chip) binning up to 4x4 digital binning

Linearity> 99%

Cooling Options

Air cooled to -25°C

Camera Modes

Specifications

Speed

Long Exposure

16-Bit Extended
Dynamic Range (EDR)

Bit-Depth

12-bit12-bit16-bitMaximum Frame Rate

51 FPS

3.2 FPS

1.6 FPS*

Line Time8.62 µSec137.92 µSec

137.92 µSec

Maximum Exposure Time

120 seconds
0.1 e-/p/sec

60 minutes
0.001 e-/p/sec

60 minutes
0.001 e-/p/sec

Full Well (gain 1)

23 Ke-

23 Ke-—

Sensitivity (gain 2)

8 Ke-

8 Ke-

—

Dark Current
Full Well Capacity

23 Ke-EDR
Read Noise
5.1 e-/
2.1 e-/—

Sensitivity (gain 2)

5.1 e-/
2.1 e-/

EDR——

2.1 e-

Full Well (gain 1)

6.0 e-/gray

6.0 e-/gray—Sensitivity (gain 2)

2.1 e-/gray2.1 e-/gray

—

EDR—

—

0.35 e-/grayFull Well (gain 1)—Gain* EDR combines two exposures of equal time, but different gain modes. Setting the exposure to 60 minutes will take 120 minutes of acquisition.

Specification
Digital Interface

USB 3.2 (10 Gbps)

Lens Interface

C-Mount

Mounting Points

2 x 1/4”-20 TPI mounting points per side

Camera Weight

0.8 Kg, 1.76 lbs

Camera I/O

Read Out
Trigger ReadyExposure Out
Trigger In

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Retiga E7 CMOS Camera Datasheet

Features and Specifications

80Accessories IncludedQUANTUM EFFICIENCY (%)

7060

USB 3.2 Cable and Card

50Trigger Cables
Power Supply

40

Quickstart Guide

302010030040050060070080090010001100

WAVELENGTH (NM)KEY FEATURES

Maximum Frame Rates
ModeUnbinned
Frame Rate

2x2 Binning
Frame RateLong Exposure

3.1 FPS

6.2 FPS

Fast capture

51 FPS

102 FPSEDR

1.5 FPS

3 FPS

Easiest System Integration» True plug-n-play convenience» Teledyne’s ultimate software developmentkit,(SDK), provides complete control ofcamera operations» Easy, seamless integration to your system» Python, C++, LabVIEW, MATLAB compatibility» Full optical, mechanical, and software support» PVCam™ API drivers automate descriptionsof functions, parameters, and valued used tocreate a user-designed interface for Retiga E7cameras and accessories

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photometrics.info@teledyne.com
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8943

4X 1/4-20 UNC

Technical Drawings

DIAGNOSTIC
PORT

18.03 C-MOUNT FLANGETO SENSOR PLANE

A86

USB 3.2 GEN210 Gbps

9.41 C-MOUNT FLANGE TO
EXTERNAL WINDOW SURFACE

86

I/O

89

POWER

SOFTWARE & ENGINEERINGSUPPORT
AIRFLOW IN

AIRFLOW OUT

Data Exchange
Full integration into your system design platformand development environment:» True plug-n-play convenience943

4X 1/4-20 UNC» Teledyne’s ultimate software development
kit, (SDK), provides complete control ofcamera operations

6» Easy, seamless integration to your system» Python, C++, LabVIEW, MATLAB compatibility» Full optical, mechanical, and software supportOW OUT

16»	 PVCam™ API drivers automate descriptions
USB 3.2 GEN2
9.41 C-MOUNT FLANGE TOof functions,parameters, and values10usedGbps
EXTERNAL WINDOWSURFACEto create a user-designed interface forDIAG
18.03 C-MOUNT FLANGE
Retiga E7 cameras and accessoriesP

TO SENSOR PLANE

86Engineering
All support documents are available:» 3D STEP files

6A86» Software SDK
I/O»	Operating Manual» 	Software Manual

EADOUT9.41 C-MOUNT FLANGE TO
EXTERNAL WINDOW SURFACE

USB 3.2 GEN2
10 Gbps

Request documents and software/drivers:
photometrics.info@teledyne.com

89

POWER

DIAGNOSTIC
PORT

18.03 C-MOUNT FLANGETO SENSOR PLANE

I/O

www.photometrics.com
photometrics.info@teledyne.com
Phone +1 520-889-99339797

9Retiga E7 CMOS Cameras

CONTACTSTHE ULTIMATE LONG-EXPOSURE CMOS CAMERAThe Retiga E7 is a major breakthrough in CMOS thermal noise control forapplications that require exposure times stretching from seconds to minutes.
Cost efficient cameras that can capture weak signals using long exposures
are the foundation of many areas of scientific research, including PCR andprotein analysis.

Contact your local Teledyne Photometrics
representative for additional information.
Teledyne Photometrics – USA
Tel: +1 520-889-9933
Toll Free: +1 800-874-9789
photometrics.info@teledyne.com
www.photometrics.com/contact
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The Retiga E7 addresses an urgent issue faced by systems manufacturers invarious industries who rely on the low dark current characteristics of CCD
devices, many of which will soon be phased out. The Retiga E7 is a
7 Megapixel CMOS camera with low read noise (2.2 electrons) and ultra-low
dark current (0.001 electrons/pixel/second or less) that is comfortably able todetect weak signals while integrating over several minutes. It is the next
generation of long exposure camera, following the highly successful
CCD-based Retiga R-series.

Science Off Camera“Science off Camera” is hosted by ourapplication specialists with imaging andspectroscopy experts from a variety ofbackgrounds including biology, chemistry,and physics.

Teledyne Photometrics, a part of Teledyne’s Vision Solutions Group, manufactures industry leading scientific CMOS and CCD cameras used in Life Science
research. With more than 40 years of experience, Teledyne Photometrics has
established itself as a trusted provider of high-quality imaging devices, serving
multiple industries.
Teledyne Photometrics continues its market leadership with the Retiga E7,
designed to be integrated with other devices, with sizing and interfaces
derived from the OEM focused BSI-Express. This camera follows on fromthe boundary pushing Kinetix, the first scientific CMOS with 500 fps speed,
0.7 electron read noise and large field of view. Similarly, the award winning
Prime 95b lead the industry into using back illuminated sensors for highdetection efficiency.

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Rev A0-10-10-2022