Back-illuminated scientific CMOS camera

DatasheetKURO DATASHEET | Highlights

Breakthrough Technology
The KURO™ from Princeton Instruments is theworld’s first scientific CMOS (sCMOS) camera system
to implement back-illuminated sensor technology withpowerful software. The camera is capable of very low
read noise, >95% QE, and >82 fps at full 1200 x 1200
resolution, making it ideal for many challenging lowlight applications.

Applications include:

Hyperspectral imaging | Astronomy | Cold-atom imaging | Quantum imaging | Fluorescence spectroscopy | High-speed spectroscopy
Outstanding UV response

The elimination of the need for microlenses (thanks to back illumination) means theKURO offers outstanding response in the ultraviolet range. Microlenses transmit very
poorly (or not at all) below 400 nm.
100%

sCMOS Front Illuminated
Gen I (Normal incidence)80%

Quantum Efficiency

Back-illuminated sCMOS detector with >95% peak QE

KURO sCMOS
Back Illuminated(all incident angles)

90%

sCMOS Front Illuminated
Gen II (Normal incidence)

70%

sCMOS Front Illuminated
Gen III (Normal incidence)

60%
50%
40%

The KURO features a back-illuminated sensor architecture just like thatof the most sensitive CCD detectors available. The back-illuminatedtechnology utilized by the KURO allows this next-generation sCMOS
camera system to deliver >95% quantum efficiency (QE) and 100%
fill factor.

30%
20%
10%
0%
200

250

300

350

400

450

500

550600

650

700

750

800

850

900

950

1000 1050

1100

Wavelength (nm)Reduced fixed-pattern noise<The KURO uses the latest sCMOS fabrication technology along withoptimized electronics. As a result, it has a significantly better noise
profile than any previous-generation, front-illuminated sCMOS camera.

100 frame average of frontilluminated sCMOS camera

Resolution

Frame rate: fps (12 bit / 16 bit)1200 x 1200

82 / 41

1200 x 512

192 / 96

1200 x 256

384 / 192

1200 x 128

768 / 384

1200 x 64

1536 / 768

1200 x 32

3072 / 1536

/ Back-illuminated sCMOS camera

High speed and low read noise
The KURO offers very high frame rates, up to 41 fps (16 bit) or 82 fps(12 bit) at full 1200 x 1200 resolution with an exceptionally low
1.3 e- rms (median) read noise. The camera is capable of delivering
hundreds of frames per second with reduced resolution.

2Princetoninstruments.com

KURO DATASHEET | Highlights

No microlenses on pixels

Unlike front-illuminated sCMOS cameras, which claim ~80% peak QE, the KURO does not use microlenses to recapture
light from the masked area of the pixel. Microlenses significantly degrade QE when light is incident at any angle other thannormal to the sensor surface.
LightLight

Microlenses

Traditional front-illuminated sCMOS with microlenses

Back-illuminated scientific CMOS camera

Large pixels and wide dynamic range
The 11 µm2 pixel pitch of the KURO sensor captures 2.8x more photons
than previous-generation sCMOS sensors. Each pixel can also handle
a large full well of 80,000 electrons, allowing excellent dynamic range(61,500:1 or 95 dB).
Previous-generation sCMOS
pixel (6.5 µm2)

Back-illuminated
sCMOS pixel (11 µm2)

Flexible trigger modes
The KURO provides a full suite of input-output TTL signals. Thesesignals make it easy to synchronize camera operation with external
events or light sources.

Optimized for spectroscopy
Scientific CMOS sensors typically do not support on-chip binning.
However, the KURO camera’s low read noise and support of software
binning (off-chip binning) make it ideal for high-speed spectroscopy
applications. Furthermore, the pixel pitch of its sensor is a perfectmatch for optimal use with the award-winning, aberration-free IsoPlane®
spectrometer from Princeton Instruments.

Powered by LightField®
Designed for operation within the Princeton Instruments LightField
software ecosystem, the KURO is easy to control and can be integrated
quickly in myriad imaging and spectroscopy experiments. Camera
integration for use with both MATLAB® (MathWorks) and LabVIEW®
(National Instruments) is also fast and simple.

/ Back-illuminated sCMOS camera

3Princetoninstruments.com

KURO DATASHEET | Specs

KURO Specs
FeatureSpecificationSensor

1200 x 1200 back-illuminated scientific CMOS

Quantum efficiency>95% @ 550 nm; >70% @ 230 – 250 nm

Pixel size

11 x 11 µm

Pixel fill factor

100%

Full well

80,000 e-Imaging area

13.2 x 13.2 mm (18.66 mm diagonal)

WindowSingle window in the optical path; UV-grade fused silica

Readout noise

1.3 e- rms (median); 1.5 e- rms

Readout modes

Rolling shutter; effective global shutter

Bit depth

12 bit; 16 bit

Frame rates @ full resolution

41 fps / 16 bit; 82 fps / 12 bit (see page 2 for more frame rates)

Binning

Yes (software binning only)

Data interface

High-speed USB 3.0; PCI Express

Trigger modes

Start on single trigger; readout per trigger

TTL output signals

EXPOSE (first row, any row, all rows);
READOUT;READY;SHUTTER OUT

Sensor cooling–10°C (with air); –25°C (with liquid assist)

Fan control

Software-selectable fan speeds

Dark current

1.9 e-/p/s @ –10°C; 0.7 e-/p/s @ –25°C

SoftwarePrinceton Instruments LightField (optional);
LabVIEW (National Instruments) and MATLAB (MathWorks) supported via automation

SDK

PICam (available for free)

Operating system

Microsoft® Windows® 7/8/10 (64 bit)Lens mounts

C-mount (standard);
C-to-spectrometer mount (optional);
C-to-F mount (optional)

Dimensions / weight

L x W x D: 6.15” (156.2 mm) x 4.04” (102.6 mm) x 4.04” (102.6 mm);
3.8 lbs (1.7 kg)

Operating conditions

0°C to 30°C; 80% RH non-condensing
Specifications are subject to change.

/ Back-illuminated sCMOS camera

4

Princetoninstruments.com

KURO DATASHEET | QE Curve & Outlines

Quantum Efficiency Curve100%
KURO sCMOS
Back Illuminated(all incident angles)

90%

sCMOS Front Illuminated
Gen I (Normal incidence)

Quantum Efficiency

80%

sCMOS Front Illuminated
Gen II (Normal incidence)

70%

sCMOS Front Illuminated
Gen III (Normal incidence)

60%
50%

Note:
Graph shows typical QE
data measured at +25°C.
QE decreases at normal
operating temperatures.
For the best results for yourapplication, please discuss
the specific parametersof your experiment withyour Princeton Instruments
representative.

40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
200

250

300

350

400

450

500

550

600

650

700

750

800

850

900

950

1000 1050

1100

Wavelength (nm)Outline Drawings
LEFT

FRONT

17.8mm .70in
DISTANCE FROM C-MOUNT TO SENSOR
6.4mm 0.25in

102.6mm 4.04 in

8X 1/4-20 UNC

102.6mm 4.04in

RIGHT

6.3mm .25in

5.7mm .22in
146.8mm 5.78in
156.2mm 6.15in
16.3mm .64in

BACK/ Back-illuminated sCMOS camera

5Princetoninstruments.com

KURO DATASHEET | Readout Modes

Rolling Shutter
Like many sCMOS sensors, the KURO sensor uses a rolling shutter mode for exposure-readout operations.
This mode allows lower read noise; however, it does not allow “simultaneous” exposure of pixels. The following
diagram and table describe the rolling shutter timing used by the KURO camera.

Row #1 Exposure
Row #2 Exposure
Row #3 Exposure
Row #N Exposure
1xLineTime

2xLineTime(N-1)x LineTime

Row #Exposure Start time

Exposure End time

1TO

TO+EXP TIME (user entered value)

2TO+(1xLINE TIME)

TO+(1xLINE TIME)+EXP TIME

3TO+

N

TO+(N-1 * LINE TIME)

TO+(N-1xLINE TIME)+EXP TIME

Effective Global Shutter
The KURO provides programmable TTL output signals that can be employed to synchronize the camera with external
events or light sources. The EXPOSE OUT signal can be programmed as follows…
FIRST ROW EXPOSE: The signal is high as long as the first row of the frame is exposed.
ANY ROW EXPOSE: The signal is high from the start of the first row exposure to the end of the last row exposure.
ALL ROWS EXPOSED: The signal is high to indicate ALL sensor rows are exposed. This is useful as a strobe pulse tocontrol an external light source and obtain “effective global shutter” operation.

See KURO technical note at princetoninstruments.com/ Back-illuminated sCMOS camera

6

Princetoninstruments.com

KURO DATASHEET | What is in the box?

What is in the box?

Optional:/ Back-illuminated sCMOS camera

7•

LightField software•Liquid circulator•

C-to-spectrometer mount•C-to-F mountPrincetoninstruments.com

Back-illuminated scientific CMOS camera

Contact your local Princeton Instruments
representative for additional information.
Princeton Instruments - USA

Tel: +1 609.587.9797
info@princetoninstruments.com

China
Beijing OfficeTel: +86 10 6591 6460
Mobile: + 86 185 1862 8083
info_China@princetoninstruments.com
Shanghai OfficeTel: +86 21 3377 3532
Mobile: +86 21 3377 3525
info_China@princetoninstruments.com
FranceTel: +33.1.60.86.03.65
info@roperscientific.fr
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89-660 779 3
contactus@roperscientific.deJapan
Tel: +81.3.5639.2741
web_pi_contact@roper.co.jp
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 7810 835 719
info_UK@princetoninstruments.com

revA0.1
Copyright © 2016 Princeton Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved. KURO is a trademark and IsoPlane and LightField are registered trademarks of Princeton Instruments, Inc.
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other brand and product names are the trademarks orregistered trademarks of their respective owners and manufacturers.

/ Back-illuminated sCMOS camera

Princetoninstruments.com