HICATT High Speed Intensifier
Nb of stages
2
Tube size
18 or 25 mm
Max Rep Rate
0.1 to 1 MHz continuous/ <10 MHz in burst mode
Shortest Gate duration
3 ns/25 ns/40 ns/ 100 ns/ 200ns
Photocathodes/spectral sensitivity
Gen 2 (S20, S20B, S25) or Gen 3 (GaAs, GaAsP )
Phosphors
P46 or P47
The HiCATT is an intensified camera attachment specifically designed for use in combination with high-speed and ultra-high speed cameras (1 MHz). It is used to amplify low light level images up to 50000 times ( tube and wavelength dependent) thereby boosting the sensitivity of the attached high-speed camera and enabling high-speed, low light-level imaging. The following video is a gas explosion in a mine test chamber acquired at 2o,000 fps with a HICATT coupled to a high speed camera.
The HiCATT attaches to all major brand high-speed cameras by using a high quality lens coupling. The hybrid Image Intensifier of the HiCATT consists of 2 stages and can be delivered with a diameter of either 25 mm or 18 mm. The first stage is a Gen II or Gen III proximity-focused MCP intensifier and offers a very high, adjustable gain. The second stage is a proximity-focussed Gen1 booster, producing the extra high output brightness required for imaging at high frame rates. In its gating mode the first stage functions as a fast electro-optical shutter with effective exposure times down to the nanosecond regime.
The intensifier can be operated at repetition rates of up to 1 Mhz in continuous mode and 5 MHz in bursts. A series of different intensifier control units provide functionality ranging from analog gain control to full digital control including an internal trigger generator and programmable gate trains. With a wide range of Gen II and Gen III image intensifiers the HiCATT offers high sensitivity down to single photon level and the optimal spectral bandwidth for your application. Different models covering a range in spectral sensitivity, phosphor, spatial resolution, gain, linearity, minimum gate width and gating frequency are available. Standard, the first stage image intensifier of the HiCATT is equipped with a single MCP. Dual MCP image intensifiers are available on request.
Image Intensifier Layout
When the HiCATT is mounted to a lens or microscope, the incoming light (a) is focused onto the entrance window of the image intensifier (b). The image intensifier converts the optical image to electrons at the photocathode, amplifies this electron image at the micro-channel plate (MCP), and re-converts the electrons into photons at the anode screen. The second image intensifier (booster, c) further amplifies the signal. At the output of the hybrid intensifier a relay objective (d) is mounted with a magnification that matches the intensifier to the high-speed camera sensor (e).
For time-resolved imaging a gate unit (f) is used together with the image intensifier to yield an electro-optical shutter. The gate unit either generates a high voltage pulse signal or follows an external TTL pulse. The pulse width is variable and follows a TTL input pulse over the range from less than 3 ns to DC at a repetition rate up to 300 kHz.
Spectral response and phosphor decay time
Phosphor | Efficiency | Decay time to 10% | Decay time to 1% |
P43 (optional) | 20 photons/e-/kV | 1.5 ms | 3 ms |
P46 (standard) | 6 photons/e-/kV | 500 ns | 2000 ns |
**P20, P24 and P47 available on request
Intensifier working principle
On the photocathode(1) photons get converted into electrons. These are accelerated in an electric field towards the Multi Channel Plate (MCP, 2) and hit the channel walls. Depending on the voltage across the channel, multiple electrons are generated by secondary emission. This cloud of electrons gets accelerated towards the anode screen (3), where the electrons are converted back into photons by the phosphor layer. These photons are guided by a fiberoptic faceplate (3) to the entrance of the second stage (booster). Again photons are converted to electrons by the photocathode (4) and accelerated to the anode screen (5) where the image appears. The relay lens (6) transfers the image from the back of the intensifier onto the mounted camera.
Photocathodes
The photocathode is the entrance of the image intensifier. This is where the incoming photons are converted to electrons. The quantum efficiency of the photocathode material specifies how efficient this conversion is for each wavelength.
Second generation image intensifiers
The photocathode of a second generation image intensifier can have a quantum efficiency of up to 25%.S25 photocathodes are only available in the 18 mm diameter image intensifiers.
Second generation high QE image intensifiers
The photocathode of a second generation high QE image intensifier can have a quantum efficiency of over 30%.Please note that these image intensifiers are only available with a diameter of 18 mm.
Second generation fast-gated high QE image intensifiers
The photocathode of a second generation high QE image intensifier can have a quantum efficiency of over 25%. Please note that these image intensifiers are only available with a diameter of 18 mm.
Third generation image intensifiers
The photocathode of a third generation image intensifier can have a quantum efficiency of up to 50%.
HICATT18 | HICATT25 | |
First stage image intensifier | proximity-focused Gen II or Gen III (filmless) | |
Second stage image intensifier | proximity-focused Gen I | |
Effective area | Gen II:ø17.5 mm, Gen III: 16x16mm | Gen II:ø 24.5 mm, Gen III: 13.5×10 mm |
Input window | S20: Quartz, S25, GaAs, GaAsP: Borosilicate glass | |
Input diameter | 18mm | 25mm |
Input window thickness | 5.5mm | 6.0mm |
Sensitivity amd spectral range | Please see QE graphs of possible photocathodes in description tab | |
Min Gate width and Max. repetition rate |
Multiple gating units possible :
|
|
Photon gain | S20: 40000, S25: 30000, GaAs: 30000, GaAsP: 50000 | |
Equivalent Background Input | S20: 0.006 photo eˉ/pix/s, S25: 0.008 photo eˉ/pix/s,GaAs: 0.024 photo eˉ/pix/s, GaAsP: 0.006 photo eˉ/pix/s | |
Phosphor | P46 (P20, P24, P43, P47 on request) | |
Spatial resolution bare intensifier | Gen II: up to 69 lp/mm, Gen III: up to 64 lp/mm | |
Resolution on output | 1:1 relay lens:S20 33 lp/mm, S25 31 lp/mm,GaAs 28 lp/mm, GaAsP 26 lp/mm | 2:1 relay lens:S20 66 lp/mm, S25 62 lp/mm,GaAs 56 lp/mm, GaAsP 52 lp/mm3:1 relay lens:S20 99 lp/mm, S25 93 lp/mm,GaAs 84 lp/mm, GaAsP 78 lp/mm |
Lens coupling / output flange | 1:1 C-mount, 2:1 C-mount, 1:1; 2:1; 3:1 F-mount on request | 1:1 F-Mount, 2:1 F-mount, 3:1 F-mount |
Combustion research

Researchers around the world are using the HiCATT in their combustion studies involving OH* laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and chemiluminescence. To avoid motion blur and to see the detailed structures, a very short exposure time is required. This reduces the light intensity that is detected during each exposure. The HiCATT boosts the light intensity to ensure clear images at high frame rates.

The images on the left show three recordings of a blue gas flame. Image A is a regular recording that shows the general shape of the blue gas flame. But the details are lost due to the long exposure time.
Image B was recorded with a high-speed camera (1000 fps, 1 millisecond exposure time) to reduce motion blur. The image is dim and blurry, but it shows less motion blur than image A.
Image C shows what a flame looks like at 2000 fps with a 15 microsecond exposure time. The HiCATT eliminates motion blur while boosting the intensity of the incoming light to retain image detail.
Other applications
- Super-slow motion combustion research for the automotive industry
- Time-resolved imaging in plasma physics research
- Dynamic phenomena in microscopy
- Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) and especially PLIF ( Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence )
- Time-resolved imaging of fluids for microfluidic research
- Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP)
- Many other industrial or scientific low-light-level applications in high-speed imaging
Injector-coupled transverse instabilities in a multi-element premixed combustor
June 25, 2020
Ultrahigh-Speed Imaging of a Propagating Detonation Wave in a High Aspect Ratio Rectangular Channel
Aug 16 2019 (Combustion, OH Chemiluminescence)
Combustion and soot characteristics of hydrotreated vegetable oil compression-ignited spray flames
Jan 28, 2020 (Combustion, OH Chemiluminescence)
Application of femtosecond laser electronic excitation tagging (FLEET) velocimetry in a bladeless turbine
Jan 27, 2020 (Fluorescence, Flow structure)
Experimental study on flame/flow dynamics in a multi-nozzle gas turbine model combustor under thermo-acoustically unstable condition with different swirler configurations
Jan 9, 2020 Combustion, OH Chemiluminescence)
Experimental study on combustion stability characteristics in liquid-fueled gas turbine model combustor: Fuel sensitivities and flame/flow dynamics
Jan 6, 2020 (Combustion, OH Chemiluminescence, PIV)
Combustion Response of Shear Coaxial Injectors to Transverse Combustion Instabilities
Jan 5, 2020 (Combustion, OH Chemiluminescence)
Detonation Dynamics Visualization From Megahertz Imaging
Jan 5, 2020 (OH Chemiluminescence, PIV)
Effects on performance, combustion and pollutants of water emulsified fuel in an aeroengine combustor
Dec 12, 2019 (OH Chemiluminescence, Combustion)
Simultaneous TR-PIV and CH* Chemiluminescence During Combustion-Instability Triggered Flame-Flashback in a Backward Facing Step Combustor
Nov 5, 2019 (Combustion, OH Chemiluminescence)
The Role of Mean Flame Anchoring on the Stability Characteristics of Syngas, Synthesis Natural Gas, and Hydrogen Fuels in a Turbulent Non-Premixed Bluff-Body Combustor
Nov 5, 2019 (Combustion, OH Chemiluminescence)
Measurement of the 3D Rayleigh index field via time-resolved CH* computed tomography
Oct 23, 2019 (OH Chemiluminescence, Combustion)
Syngas Combustion Dynamics in a Bluff-Body Turbulent Combustor
Oct 15, 2019 (Combustion, OH Chemiluminescence)
Effect of the fuel-air flow velocity on heat release rate of swirling non-premixed methane flames
Oct 10, 2019 (Combustion, OH Chemiluminescence, Flame Research)
On the influence of wall distance and geometry for high-pressure n-dodecane spray flames in a constant-volume chamber
Sep 17, 2019 (Combustion, Flame Research, Diesel Sprays)
Phase-Opposition Control of the Precessing Vortex Core in Turbulent Swirl Flames for Investigation of Mixing and Flame Stability
Sep 16, 2019 (Combustion, PIV, Flame Research)
The Effects of Chemical Kinetic Effects on Detonation Wave Generation in a Semi-Bounded Channel
Aug 16, 2019 (Combustion)
Development of a Turbine-integrated High-pressure Optical RDE (THOR) for injection and detonation dynamics assessment
Aug 16, 2019 (Combustion, OH Chemiluminescence)
Effects of Emulsified Fuel on the Performance and Emission Characteristics of Aeroengine Combustors
Aug 1, 2019 (Combustion)
Optical Measurements of In-flame Soot in Compression-ignited Methyl Ester Flames
Jul 5, 2019 (Combustion, OH Chemiluminescence)
Excitation of the precessing vortex core by active flow control tosuppress thermoacoustic instabilities in swirl flames
Jul 4, 2019 (Combustion, OH Chemiluminescence, Flame Research)
Demonstration of a cost-effective single-pixel UV camera for flame chemiluminescence imaging
Jun 10, 2019 (Combustion, OH Chemiluminescence)
Effects of fuel variation and inlet air temperature on combustion stability in a gas turbine model combustor
May 28, 2019 (Combustion)
Flame/flow Dynamics in a Multi-nozzle Gas Turbine Model Combustor Under Thermo-acoustically Unstable Condition
May 18, 2019 (Combustion, OH Chemiluminescence)
Excitation of high frequency thermoacoustic oscillations by syngas in a non-premixed bluff body combustor
May 3, 2019 (OH Chemiluminescence, Flame Research, Combustion)
Development of a modular, high-speed plenoptic-camera for 3D flow-measurement
Apr 25, 2019 (3D Flow-Measurement, PIV)
Simultaneous high-speed SO2 PLIF imaging and stereo-PIV measurements in premixed swirling flame at 20 kHz
Apr 1, 2019 (Combustion, PIV, Flame Research)
Combined study by direct numerical simulation and optical diagnostics of the flame stabilization in a Diesel spray
Mar 11, 2019 (Combustion, Flame Research)
High-repetition-rate burst-mode-laser diagnostics of an unconfined lean premixed swirling flame under external acoustic excitation
Feb 26, 2019 (Combustion, Flame Research, PIV)
Effect of syngas composition on high frequency combustion instability in a non-premixed turbulent combustor
Feb 5, 2019 (OH Chemiluminescence, Combustion, PIV)
Time-Resolved 3D Flow-Measurement with a Single Plenoptic-Camera
Jan 14, 2019 (3D Flow-Measurement)
Wave Dynamic Mechanisms in Coaxial Hydrogen/Liquid-Oxygen Jet Flames
Dec 24, 2018 (Combustion, Flame Research, OH Chemiluminescence)
- Diameter : 18 or 25 mm
- Phosphors ( P46, P47)
- Photocathodes (S20 UV, S20, S25, Hi-QE Green, Hi-QE Blue, Hi-QE Red, GaAs, GaAsP, red enhanced GaAsP)
- Relay optics ( 1:1, 2:1, 3:1)
- Gating units ( 40 ns @ 100 KHz, 2 ns@ 300 Khz, 25 ns @ 1 MHz )
- Intensifier USB control units ( gain control DG, gate control GC, gate generator GG, programmable gate GG-PP)
- Mounting Plate
- C-Mount and F-Mount Adapters
- Interchangeable relay lenses
- Mechanical Shutter with interlock for extra intensifier tube safety
- High Speed Cameras
Description
The HiCATT is an intensified camera attachment specifically designed for use in combination with high-speed cameras. It can be used to amplify low light level images to a level up to 30000 times, thereby boosting the sensitivity of the attached high-speed camera and enabling high-speed, low-light level imaging.
The HiCATT attaches to all major brand high-speed cameras by using a high-quality lens coupling. The hybrid Image Intensifier of the HiCATT consists of 2 stages and can be delivered with a diameter of either 25 mm or 18 mm. The first stage is a Gen II or Gen III proximity-focused MCP intensifier and offers a very high, adjustable gain. The second stage is a proximity-focussed Gen1 booster, producing the extra high output brightness required for imaging at high frame rates. In its gating mode the first stage functions as a fast electro-optical shutter with effective exposure times down to the nanosecond regime.
The intensifier can be operated at repetition rates of up to 1 Mhz in continuous mode and 5 MHz in bursts. A series of different intensifier control units provide functionality ranging from analog gain control to full digital control including an internal trigger generator and programmable gate trains. With a wide range of Gen II and Gen III image intensifiers the HiCATT offers high sensitivity down to single photon level and the optimal spectral bandwidth for your application. Different models covering a range in spectral sensitivity, phosphor, spatial resolution, gain, linearity, minimum gate width and gating frequency are available. Standard, the first stage image intensifier of the HiCATT is equipped with a single MCP. Dual MCP image intensifiers are available on request.
Image Intensifier Layout
When the HiCATT is mounted to a lens or microscope, the incoming light (a) is focused onto the entrance window of the image intensifier (b). The image intensifier converts the optical image to electrons at the photocathode, amplifies this electron image at the micro-channel plate (MCP), and re-converts the electrons into photons at the anode screen. The second image intensifier (booster, c) further amplifies the signal. At the output of the hybrid intensifier a relay objective (d) is mounted with a magnification that matches the intensifier to the high-speed camera sensor (e).
For time-resolved imaging a gate unit (f) is used together with the image intensifier to yield an electro-optical shutter. The gate unit either generates a high voltage pulse signal or follows an external TTL pulse. The pulse width is variable and follows a TTL input pulse over the range from less than 3 ns to DC at a repetition rate up to 300 kHz.
Spectral response and phosphor decay time
Phosphor | Efficiency | Decay time to 10% | Decay time to 1% |
P43 (optional) | 20 photons/e-/kV | 1.5 ms | 3 ms |
P46 (standard) | 6 photons/e-/kV | 500 ns | 2000 ns |
**P20, P24 and P47 available on request
Intensifier working principle
On the photocathode(1) photons get converted into electrons. These are accelerated in an electric field towards the Multi Channel Plate (MCP, 2) and hit the channel walls. Depending on the voltage across the channel, multiple electrons are generated by secondary emission. This cloud of electrons gets accelerated towards the anode screen (3), where the electrons are converted back into photons by the phosphor layer. These photons are guided by a fiberoptic faceplate (3) to the entrance of the second stage (booster). Again photons are converted to electrons by the photocathode (4) and accelerated to the anode screen (5) where the image appears. The relay lens (6) transfers the image from the back of the intensifier onto the mounted camera.
Researchers around the world are using the HiCATT in their combustion studies involving OH* laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and chemiluminescence. To avoid motion blur and to see the detailed structures, a very short exposure time is required. This reduces the light intensity that is detected during each exposure. The HiCATT boosts the light intensity to ensure clear images at high frame rates.
Related Products
-
CamRecord Sprinter-HD High-speed Camera
Rated 0 out of 5The Sprinter-HD high-speed camera of the CamRecord-Sprinter series is equipped with a large-format, highly light-sensitive image sensor that records the
-
3D Light Field Vision and Plenoptic Camera
Rated 0 out of 5WHY WOULD I WANT TO USE LIGHT-FIELDS? The 3D light field cameras work particularly well for small objects. You can
-
TRiCAM Time Resolved Intensified Camera
Rated 0 out of 5The TRiCAM, a successor of the Li²CAM, is a compact Intensified CMOS camera for scientific and industrial applications that offers
-
HiCAM Fluo High Speed Intensified Camera
Rated 0 out of 5HiCAM FLUO is a high-speed camera for fluorescence applications. It records high resolution images at a frame rate of 1,000
-
TRICATT Gated or Modulated Image Intensifier
Rated 0 out of 5The TRiCATT is a compact lens-coupled image intensifier for scientific and industrial applications that require: Low-light level imaging Ultra-short exposures
-
CamRecord Sprinter-FHD High-speed Camera
Rated 0 out of 5The Sprinter-FHD high-speed camera is equipped with a large-format, light-sensitive image sensor that records the fastest movements. With a high
-
CamPerform CP, High-Speed CoaXPress cameras
Rated 0 out of 5CUTTING-EDGE CAMERA TECHOLOGY FOR YOUR AUTOMATION SOLUTION Here are our convincing arguments for a compelling image-processing machine vision solution: CoaXPress
-
Cyclone High-Speed CoaXPress 2.0 cameras
Rated 0 out of 5CamPerform-Cyclone series cameras are high-speed CMOS cameras for machine vision applications. The cameras use the fast CoaXPress 2.0 interface to