24 Megapixel, Full Frame 35mm Format, Cooled, CMOS Color Camera
Ultra High Performance
The QHY128C uses the Sony IMX128 full frame, 35mm format, 24 Megapixel, 14-bit CMOS sensor. This sensor is also used in the Nikon D600 camera. It has read noise of 1.8e- to 4e- (2.7e- @ unity gain), and high dynamic range of more than 14 stops.
True RAW Image Output
While the QHY128C has the same CMOS sensor as the Nikon D600 cameras, unlike these consumer DSLR cameras, the QHY128C offers True RAW Image output. In the DSLR implementation there is a RAW image output, but typically it is not completely RAW. Some evidence of noise reduction and hot pixel removal is still visible on close inspection. However, the QHY128C offers TRUE RAW IMAGE OUTPUT and produces an image comprised of the original signal only, thereby maintaining the maximum flexibility for post-acquisition astronomical image processing programs.
Unique Thermal Noise Reduction Technology
In addition to efficient 2-stage thermoelectric cooling, QHYCCD employs a unique thermal noise control technology to reduce CMOS sensor noise to a very low value without affecting the integrity of the raw image. This proprietary technology can be found to improve noise performance across the whole 165/168/247/128/367 product line, producing much better noise reduction than any competing camera model.
Zero Amplifier Glow
The QHY128C has zero amplifier glow no matter how long the exposure.
128MB DDRII Image Buffer
QHY128C has 128MB DDRII image buffer to cache the image and avoid the risk of a frame loss. The image data is stored in the DDR immediately after acquisition and then transferred to computer from the memory buffer. This avoids problems of a busy USB port when there are other peripherals using the same port as the camera.
Anti-Dew Technology
QHYCCD has more than 10 years of experience designing cooled cameras. The QHY128C receives the benefit of that decade of design work by featuring full anti-dew technology for both CCD sensor cover glass and the sensor chamber optical window. The QHY128C has an electric heating board for the chamber window to prevent the formation of dew and the sensor itself is kept dry with our silicon gel tube socket design for control of humidity within the sensor chamber.
AR+AR Optical Window
In order to avoid halos around bright stars the QHY128C has a AR+AR coated optical window rather than the common IR cut window for Single-Shot Color cameras. This permits full access to the red wavelength of H-alpha and SII without attenuation by the window coating. For RGB color balance, without passing the near IR wavelengths above 700nm, a separate removable 2-inch UV/IR filter with the desirable passband characteristics is placed in a custom filter holder in front of the camera
* Each camera is carefully calibrated at the factory with a high-precision axis measurement device. Orthogonal placement of the sensor is guaranteed to be flat to the image plane to better than +/-20um across the sensor from edge to edge, so there is no need to adjust for camera tilt absent mechanical errors elsewhere in the image train.
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