Back in 1992, Kappa was one of the first camera manufacturers to offer cooled cameras and today it maintains this tradition with its latest generation of Peltier-cooled sensors. The major difference between back then and today is that nowadays thermo-electrical systems have replaced coolants as a means of generating the desired differences in temperature.
The cooling element allows for sensor temperatures of -10 °C at ambient temperatures of up to +30°C, thus enabling exposure times of several minutes while maintaining good dynamic performance. In fluorescent microscopy applications this helps to visualize structures which would be almost invisible even to the well-adapted eye.
In addition to thermal noise, readout noise and electronic noise also have a negative impact on signal quality. To help reduce readout noise Kappa cameras can be read out with a reduced clock rate. Electronic noise is kept at bay by using high-quality components and employing sophisticated circuitry. However, as a general rule, in order to reduce the negative influence of noise it is advisable to keep electronic enhancement at a minimum. Kappa cooled cameras are also available as signature versions.
