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Chapter 14 PI-MAX4: EM Family 223
14.3 Photon Detection
Photon Detection is a method of estimating the number of photons collected by an emICCD
under extremely low-light conditions. By comparing the intensity of the incoming light with
a predefined minimum intensity level (measured in counts,) an estimated photon count can
be derived.
The PI-MAX4: EM family of cameras supports two Photon Detection modes:
• Thresholding
• Clipping
In both of these modes, when the intensity of the incoming light falls below the minimum
intensity level (in counts,) LightField interprets/records this as there having been zero
incoming photons detected.
However, when the intensity of the incoming light meets or exceeds the minimum intensity
level (in counts,) LightField interprets this differently depending upon which Photon
Detection Mode has been selected:
• Thresholding
With Thresholding, when the incoming intensity meets or exceeds the defined
intensity threshold (in counts,) LightField interprets/records the incoming intensity
as being exactly one photon.
The primary advantage of Thresholding is that it provides improved Signal-to-
Noise Ratios (SNR) under extremely low-light conditions.
• Clipping
With Clipping, when the incoming intensity meets or exceeds the defined intensity
threshold (in counts,) LightField records the incoming intensity level precisely as
the measured/detected intensity level.
The primary advantage of Clipping is that there is no information loss when
intensity levels exceed the minimum threshold value.