NIR cameras use photovoltaic electroluminescence
MARCH 2, 2009--The iKon-M 934 BR-DD and the LucaEM R cameras have high quantum detection efficiency and sensitivity in the near-infrared (NIR) range, making them suitable for solar-cell quality control during manufacturing. Using induced photovoltaic electroluminescence, weak emissions in the 900-to-1100-nm wavelength range are used to detect typical faults such as shunts, crystalline defects, and broken-finger electrodes. The LucaEM R is an electron-multiplying CCD (EMCCD) camera for high-throughput in-line production inspection. It uses a monochrome megapixel frame-transfer EMCCD sensor, providing single-photon detection sensitivity and high NIR quantum efficiency (27% @ 900 nm) in a cooled, compact, USB 2.0 camera platform. The iKon-M 934 BRDD delivers ~70% QE at 900 nm. The megapixel CCD camera also benefits from thermoelectric cooling to -100 degrees Celsius, very low read noise, and a USB 2.0 interface.
Andor
Belfast, UK
www.andor.com
For related information, visit the Infrared Imaging topic center.
-- Posted by Carrie Meadows, Vision Systems Design, www.vision-systems.com
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PRESS RELEASE
More efficient fault detection for solar cells
High performance NIR-enhanced CCD and EMCCD cameras harness benefits of photovoltaic luminescence imaging
Belfast, Northern Ireland, 4 February 2009 - Common faults in solar cells and panels can now be detected far more simply using two high-performance cameras from Andor Technology - the iKon-M 934 BR-DD and the LucaEM R.
Both cameras have high quantum detection efficiency and sensitivity in the near-infrared (NIR) range, making them ideal for solar cell quality control during manufacturing. They harness the phenomenon of induced photovoltaic electroluminescence, where weak emissions in the 900-1100nm wavelength range are used to detect typical faults such as shunts, crystalline defects and broken-finger electrodes.
These cameras also offer exceptionally high sensitivity at rapid frame rates, meaning they can be used for high-throughput testing of individual photovoltaic cells or larger panels.
By incorporating photovoltaic electroluminescence into their QC routines and R&D work, manufacturers can benefit from a simpler, potentially less expensive inspection technique. However, as photovoltaic electroluminescence emissions are very weak, extremely sensitive cameras are required, such as the iKon-M BR-DD and the LucaEM R.
The LucaEM R is a highly cost-effective yet fast and powerful Electron Multiplying CCD camera for high-throughput in-line production inspection. LucaEM R uses a monochrome megapixel frame-transfer EMCCD sensor, providing single photon detection sensitivity and high NIR quantum efficiency (27% @ 900 nm) in a cooled, compact, USB 2.0 camera platform.
The iKon-M 934 BRDD is designed to offer ultimate responsivity in the NIR region, delivering ~70% QE at 900nm. The megapixel CCD camera also benefits from deep TE cooling to -100 0C, very low read noise and a convenient USB 2.0 interface.
For more information, please visit;
http://www.andor.com/learning/applications/?docID=886