(800) 640-1320

Scientific Imaging, Inc.

Imaging Solutions for Science and Industry

Home > Products > SWIR Linescan and Areascan Cameras > Xenics/Exosens TE-cooled 640 x 512 InGaAs SWIR Cameras
Wildcat+ 640 SWIR camera
Wildcat+ 640 SWIR camera

Wildcat+ 640 SWIR camera

WIldcat+ or Wildcat 640 SWIR Camera
WIldcat+ or Wildcat 640 SWIR Camera

WIldcat+ or Wildcat 640 SWIR Camera

Wildcat/Wildcat+ USB3 SWIR camera
Xenics Camera 05

Wildcat/Wildcat+ USB3 SWIR camera

WIldcat/Wildcat+ SWIR Camera with CameraLink interface
WIldcat/Wildcat+ SWIR Camera with CameraLink interface

WIldcat/Wildcat+ SWIR Camera with CameraLink interface

Cheetah+ 640 high-speed SWIR camera
Cheetah+ 640 high-speed SWIR camera

Cheetah+ 640 high-speed SWIR camera

Cheetah+ 640 high-speed SWIR camera: rear view, showing CXP and trigger connectors
Cheetah+ 640 high-speed SWIR camera: rear view, showing CXP and trigger connectors

Cheetah+ 640 high-speed SWIR camera: rear view, showing CXP and trigger connectors

Cheetah 640 high-speed SWIR camera
Cheetah 640 high-speed SWIR camera

Cheetah 640 high-speed SWIR camera

Cheetah 640 high-speed SWIR camera: rear-view, showing CameraLink connectors
Cheetah 640 high-speed SWIR camera: rear-view, showing CameraLink connectors

Cheetah 640 high-speed SWIR camera: rear-view, showing CameraLink connectors

Cheetah 640 TE3: deep-cooled SWIR camera
Cheetah 640 TE3: deep-cooled SWIR camera

Cheetah 640 TE3: deep-cooled SWIR camera

Cheetah 640 TE3 deep-cooled SWIR camera: rear view, showing CameraLink connectors
Cheetah 640 TE3 deep-cooled SWIR camera: rear view, showing CameraLink connectors

Cheetah 640 TE3 deep-cooled SWIR camera: rear view, showing CameraLink connectors

Uncia: new deep-cooled InGaAs 640 x 512 x 20um x up to 200fps camera for low-light SWIR imaging applications
uncia photograph

Uncia: new deep-cooled InGaAs 640 x 512 x 20um x up to 200fps camera for low-light SWIR imaging applications

Uncia: new deep-cooled InGaAs 640 x 512 x 20um x up to 200fps camera for low-light SWIR imaging applications
Uncia camera rear view

Uncia: new deep-cooled InGaAs 640 x 512 x 20um x up to 200fps camera for low-light SWIR imaging applications

Xenics/Exosens TE-cooled 640 x 512 InGaAs SWIR Cameras

Key Features:

  • Based on TE-cooled proprietary 640 x 512 InGaAs Imager Sensors from Exosens/Xenics
    • SWIR operation [900 – 1700nm] | vSWIR [500 – 1700nm] option on selected camera series
    • High QE | Large Full Well Capacity
    • Large 20 μm pixels: High Full Well Capacity
    • Snapshot Global Shutter
  • Choose from the following different camera series, depending on performance requirements
    • Bobcat 640 Series: vSWIR [500-1700nm] option, a choice of GigE/CameraLink interface
    • Wildcat 640 Series: low read-noise, high dynamic range, a choice of CameraLink/USB 3.0 host-interface
    • Wildcat+ 640 Series: lowest read-noise, highest dynamic range, a choice of CameraLink/USB 3.0 host-interface
    • Cheetah 640 Series: Highest speed SWIR camera, with CameraLink interface. 3-state TE-cooler option
    • Cheetah+ 640 Series: Highest speed SWIR camera, with CoaXPress interface
    • NEW Uncia 640 Series: Deep-cooled, very low dark current, lowest read noise, with High Sensitive Mode; ideal for low-light Scientific SWIR imaging applications. CameraLink AND USB3.0 host interface
  • Optical interface: C-mount or M42 [M42 to F-mount adapter optional]

Suggested Applications

  • Spectroscopy
  • Inspection of semiconductors
  • Scientific Research: Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Material Sciences, Photoluminescence, Electroluminescence, Photon Emission Studies
  • High Speed Tracking of Ballistics/Projectiles
  • Machine Vision
  • Inspection and Sorting of Food & Packaging
  • Hyperspectral Imaging
  • Astronomy

Product Documents

Camera Docs

Request Quote

Users may choose between the following different series of cameras based on temperature stabilized proprietary InGaAs 640 x 512 x 20μm SWIR [900-1700nm] and vSWIR [500-1700nm] image sensors from Exosens/Xenics. These cameras have a larger 20 micron pixel which, combined with a low noise readout provides a superior Signal to Noise ratio for most imaging applications in the SWIR. This translates into better quality images and better contrast between features in the image. The different camera series allow users to select the performance that matches the imaging requirements of their specific application. The following is a brief description of the different camera series: please review the “Specifications” tab for details regarding the maximum frame rates, QE, full-well-capacity and noise specifications as well as the different host-interfaces supported within each series.

1) Bobcat 640 cameras operate full frame at up to 100 Hz and are offered with either the CameraLink or GigE Vision interface in a compact and low power housing..

  • vSWIR [500-1700nm] option available
  • CameraLink or GigE Vision interface options
  • Xeneth GUI software is included with camera
  • Suitable for machine vision inspection or scientific research

2) Wildcat 640 cameras are small, high-performance SWIR cameras with low noise and high dynamic range. They are a good choice for a wide range of scientific SWIR imaging projects. Within this series, users may choose between between two host-interface options: CameraLink or USB3 Vision. For each host interface, users may also choose between two different speed options: one with a maximum frame rate of 110Hz and another with a higher frame rate of up to 220 Hz.

  • An economical, high-performance choice for SWIR [900-1700nm] imaging
  • Frame rates up to 220 Hz
  • High dynamic range
  • Low noise and low dark current
  • CameraLink or USB3 Vision interface options
  • Xeneth GUI software is included with camera
  • Suitable for SWIR hyperspectral imaging, semiconductor inspection, interferometry and laser beam analysis

3) Wildcat+ 640 cameras are small, high-performance SWIR cameras with ultra-low read noise, high dynamic range and are capable of high speed operation up to 300Hz. They are a good choice for demanding, performance-oriented scientific SWIR imaging projects. Within this series, users may choose between between two host-interface options: CameraLink or USB3 Vision.

  • A performance-oriented camera for SWIR [900-1700nm] imaging
  • Frame rates up to 300 Hz
  • High dynamic range
  • Ultra-low noise and low dark current
  • CameraLink or USB3 Vision interface options
  • Xeneth GUI software is included with camera
  • Suitable for SWIR hyperspectral imaging, life-sciences imaging, semiconductor inspection, interferometry and laser beam analysis

4) Cheetah 640 cameras are the fastest available SWIR area scan cameras, with CameraLink interface and frame rates up to 1700Hz. The TE1 version of the Cheetah 640 has a single-stage TE-cooled detector and is offered in three configurations with full frame rates of either 400 Hz, 800 Hz or 1700 Hz. The TE3 version has a three-stage TE-cooled detector to dramatically suppress dark current noise. It is meant for slower, low light SWIR imaging applications and is capable of operating at a maximum speed of 110 Hz.

The cameras come with a CameraLink interface and support for TTL based triggering. To achieve the highest frame rates, the cameras can be programmed to read out a small Region of Interest (ROI), exceeding 30kHz for a 64×64 ROI. This is ideal for applications such as Adaptive Optics where high speed imaging of a laser beam is required to provide data to generate correction algorithms.

  • Highest speed SWIR [900-1700nm] camera on the market
  • Frame rates up to 1700 Hz
  • Programmable ROI
  • 3-stage TE-cooler option lowers the dark current for low-light SWIR imaging
  • CameraLink interface
  • Xeneth GUI software is included with camera
  • Suitable for adaptive optics, high-speed laser beam analysis, ballistics/projectile tracking, etc.

5) Cheetah+ 640 cameras are the fastest available SWIR area scan cameras, with CoaXPress interface and frame rates up to 1700Hz. The TE1 version of the Cheetah 640 has a single-stage TE-cooled detector and is offered in three configurations with full frame rates of either 400 Hz, 800 Hz or 1700 Hz. The TE3 version has a three-stage TE-cooled detector to dramatically suppress dark current noise. It is meant for slower, low light SWIR imaging applications and is capable of operating at a maximum speed of 110 Hz.

The cameras come with a CoaXPress interface and support for TTL based triggering. To achieve the highest frame rates, the cameras can be programmed to read out a small Region of Interest (ROI), exceeding 30kHz for a 64×64 ROI on a Cheetah 640 1700Hz platform. This is ideal for applications such as Adaptive Optics where high speed imaging of a laser beam is required to provide data to generate correction algorithms.

  • Highest speed SWIR [900-1700nm] camera on the market
  • Frame rates up to 1700 Hz
  • Programmable ROI, up to 4 regions simultaneously
  • CoaXpress interface
  • Xeneth GUI software is included with camera
  • Suitable for adaptive optics, high-speed laser beam analysis, ballistics/projectile tracking, etc.

6) Uncia 640 cameras are a NEW series of deep-cooled SWIR cameras with ultra-low read noise, very low dark current and high dynamic range. They are a good choice for scientific SWIR imaging projects in which users can leverage (a) the new High-Sensitivity Mode (HSM) and (B) the long integration time capability to obtain high quality images under challenging conditions. The cameras have both CameraLink AND USB3 host-interfaces and can support a maximum frame rate of 200Hz at full frame rate.

  • Deep-cooled SWIR [900-1700nm] image sensor: 4-stage TE-cooler, water-cooling
  • Frame rates up to 200 Hz
  • High dynamic range, Ultra-Low noise and very low dark current
  • High Sensitivity Mode (HSM), ideal for obtaining high SNR images under low-light conditions
  • Long integration time capability for imaging under low-light conditions
  • CameraLink AND USB3 Vision interface
  • Xeneth GUI software is included with camera
  • Suitable for scientific SWIR imaging applications: Life Sciences, Biomedical Research, Photoluminescence, Electroluminescence, Astronomy, Photon Emission Studies

Bobcat 640 Wildcat 640 Wildcat+ 640 Cheetah 640 Cheetah+ 640 New! Uncia 640
Key Features vSWIR option [500-1700nm] Cost-effective, low-noise, high dynamic range Ultra-Low Noise, high dynamic range Highest Speed SWIR camera available (with CameraLink interface) Highest Speed SWIR camera available (with CoaXPress interface) Deep-cooled, Ultra-Low Noise, with new High Sensitivity Mode; for Scientific SWIR Imaging Applications
ELECTRO-OPTICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Image format [pixels] 640 x 512
Pixel pitch [μm] 20
Detector type InGaAs photodiode array with CTIA ROIC
Peak Quantum Efficiency ~80%
Integration type Snapshot - Global Shutter
Active area and diagonal [mm] 12.8mm x 10.24mm | 16.4mm (diagonal)
Optical fill factor 100%
Sensor temperature stabilization 1-stage TE cooler 1-stage TE cooler 1-stage TE cooler TE1: 1-stage TE cooler | TE3: 3-stage TE-cooler 1-stage TE cooler 4-state TE-cooler with water cooling
Spectral range [nm] 900 - 1700nm [SWIR] | 500 - 1700nm [vSWIR] 900 - 1700nm 900 - 1700nm 900 - 1700nm [SWIR] | 500 - 1700nm [vSWIR] 900 - 1700nm 900 - 1700nm
Gain modes High Gain (HG) & High Dynamic Range mode (HDR) High Gain (HG) & High Dynamic Range mode (HDR) High Gain (HG) & High Dynamic Range mode (HDR) High Gain (HG) & High Dynamic Range mode (HDR) High Gain (HG), Low Gain (LG) High Gain (HG), Low Gain (LG), High Sensitivity Mode (HSM)
Full well capacities [electrons] 45k (HG) & 500k (HDR) 110k (HG) & 600k (HDR) 65k (HG) & 550k (HDR) 45k (HG) & 500k (HDR) 55k (HG) & 650k (LG) HG: >60k & LG: >500k
Read noise [electrons] 120 (HG) & 500 (HDR) 80 (HG) & 250 (HDR) 45 (HG) & 200 (HDR) 120 (HG) & 500 (HDR) 150 (HG) HG: ~45 & LG: ~200
Dark current [e-/pix/sec] at 288K sensor temperature, unless otherwise specified <100k | For vSWIR: <200k < 100k < 100k TE1: <100k | For vSWIR: <200k | TE3: <1000 [at 233K sensor temp] <100k < 500 @ 200K sensor temperature
Read out modes (*) IWR & ITR ITR IWR & ITR IWR & ITR IWR & ITR IWR & ITR
Pixel operability > 99.5% > 99.5% > 99.5% > 99% > 99.5% TBD
Max frame rate [Hz] (full frame) 100 110 or 220 300 TE1: 444, 865, or 1730 | TE3: 111 1700 200
Region of interest Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes, up to 4 regions simultaneously TBD
Min region size [pixels] 32 x 4 [step 16 x 4] Min 1032 pixels 8 x 8 (step size 8 pixels in X & 8 pixels in Y) 32 x 4 [step 16 x 4] 32 x 4 [step 16 x 4] TBD
Max frame rate [Hz] (min region size) >10 kHz >1 kHz >20 kHz > 100kHz > 10kHz TBD
Command and control CameraLink or GigE Vision CameraLink Base or USB3 Vision CameraLink Base or USB3 Vision CameraLink CXP CameraLink Base AND USB3 Vision
Digital output format CameraLink  [16-bit] or GigE Vision [16-bit] CameraLink Base [16-bit] or USB3 Vision [16-bit] CameraLink Base [16-bit] or USB3 Vision [16-bit] 400: CameraLink [12 bit base] - 1 cable | 800: CameraLink [12 bit medium] - 2 cables | 1700: CameraLink [12 bit dual medium] - 4 cables OR CameraLink [8 bit full] - 2 cables | TE3 (100): CameraLink [14 bit base] - 1 cable CXP-12, 2 x CXP-6 TBD
Trigger CameraLink: In or out via SMA or in via CL-CC1 [Configurable] | GigE: In or out via SMA [Configurable]  2 trigger in & 2 trigger out - LVCMOS 3.3 V  2 trigger in & 2 trigger out - LVCMOS 3.3 V; CameraLink trigger in  In or out via trigger connector [Configurable] via unified connector 2 x IN and 2 x OUT via unified connector
OPTO-MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions, excluding lens (W x H x L) [mm] (approx.) 55 x 55 x 72 (CL) | 55 x 55 x 82 (GigE) 55 x 55 x 72 (CL) | 55 x 55 x 91.5 (USB3) 55 x 55 x 72 (CL) | 55 x 55 x 91.5 (USB3) 143 x 137 x 95 108 x 108 x 73 100 x 130 x 106.1
Optical interface C-mount or M42 C-mount or M42 C-mount or M42 C-mount C-mount C-mount or M42
Camera weight, excluding lens [gr] 285 (CL) | 334 (GigE) 316 (CL) | 358 (USB) 316 (CL) | 358 (USB) 2000 1206 2366
Host interface Connector Standard SDR (CL) | RJ-45 (GigE) Standard SDR | USB 3.0 type micro-B  Standard SDR | USB 3.0 type micro-B  Standard SDR connectors 2x HD-BNC connectors supporting CXP6 and CXP12 CameraLink AND USB3.0
Aux. Connector Power: Hirose HR10-7R-SA[73]; Trigger: SMA Unified connector (Lemo 1B.308) Unified connector (Lemo 1B.308) LEMO ECG 1B-1K302 Lemo 1B Series 8 pins (A key) TBD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND POWER SPECIFICATIONS
Operating temperature range (housing temperature) [°C] From -40 to +70; also available in temperature range 0 - 50 From -40 to +70 From -40 to +70 From 0 to +50 From -40 to +70 From -40 to +70
Storage temperature [°C] From -40 to +85 From -40 to +85 From -40 to +85 From -45 to +60 From -40 to +85 TBD
Power consumption [W] CL: 2.8W [no TE Cooler] | GigE: 4 [no TE Cooler] <6 <7 TE1: Up to 15 | TE3: Up to 60 With cooliing: 25.2 (via power supply), 15.3 (via CXP) <100W (with cooling)
Power supply voltage DC 12 V DC 12 V DC 12 V DC 12 V DC 24 V DC 12 V
IP rating IP40 IP40 IP40 TBD IP40 TBD
Regulatory compliance CE, RoHS CE CE CE, RoHS RoHS TBD

(*) ITR: Integrate Then Readout, IWR: Integrate While Readout

QE Curve for Bobcat InGaAs vSWIR & SWIR Areascan Camera Series QE Curve for Wildcat InGaAs SWIR Areascan Camera Series QE Curve for Cheetah InGaAs vSWIR and SWIR Areascan Camera Series
Blue = vSWIR [500-1700nm] | Orange = SWIR [900-1700nm] Blue = vSWIR [500-1700nm] | Orange = SWIR [900-1700nm]

All QE values on this website are the best estimates available from various sources, and not necessarily from the manufacturer of the specific image sensor or from the manufacturer of the cameras in our Product Showcase. They represent the best estimates for the imagers by themselves, with the caveat that glass and other optics in the imaging path can significantly impact the spectral sensitivity of an imaging system.

As described on our Knowledge Base article on this subject, these values exist in a range. Therefore no absolute precision is implied, even when QE values are shown to two decimal places! These values and graphs are intended to be used for reference can be use for making useful comparisons between cameras. They are not intended to be a specification or a performance guarantee.

Camera Array dimensions #H pixels #V pixels Pixel size (μm) H size (mm) V size (mm) Diagonal (mm)
Bobcat 640, Wildcat/Wildcat+ 640, Cheetah/Cheetah+640, Uncia 640 Series 640 x 512 x 20μm 640 512 20 12.80 10.24 16.39
In applications that require the best achievable optical resolution, it is desirable to use a lens with an optical resolution ≥ 25 lp/mm for an image sensor with a pixel size of 20μm. This will ensure that the optical resolution of the camera & lens combination is Nyquist-limited by the pixel-size of the camera, and not by the quality of the lens.

The table below shows a selection of SWIR [900-1700nm] lenses that are compatible with these cameras. Contact Scientific Imaging for lenses that are optimized for vSWIR [500-1700nm] applications and also for other accessories such as CameraLink/CoaXPress Framegrabbers, Interface cables, etc.
Notes:
The working distance (WD) is defined as the distance from the object plane to the front of the lens.
The above are theoretical estimates provided for reference, and are not a guarantee of performance. Actual FOVs and optical resolution are best determined by experiment.
FOV dimensions and min. resolvable feature sizes are estimated with the object plane placed at the minimum WD of the lens. A similar calculation may be performed for longer WDs. Please contact us for assistance: our specialists can help you identify a lens that meets your FOV requirements at a Working Distance that is convenient for your workflow.
Increasing the WD will result in larger FOVs, and lower optical resolution (an increase in the smallest resolvable feature size).
(*) The system meets Nyquist criteria if the optical resolution at the center of the lens (in lp/mm) is ≥ the pixel-size limited resolution (see above).
(**) The minimum resolvable feature size is estimated based on whether the lens meets the Nyquist criterion. If the Nyquist limit is met, then the resolution of the system is the estimated to be the distance on the sample plane that corresponds to two pixels in the image plane. If not, it is estimated based on the limiting resolution of the lens.
The method used in the above table is detailed in the linked knowledge base article titled "Choosing a Lens to meet FOV and WD requirements"

Please complete this form to gain site-wide access to Product Documents.

"*" indicates required fields

Hidden
Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Cage Code: 9LW84UEI: P95ZTNC5JR98