The QHY600 uses the latest SONY IMX455 back illuminated sensor. This is a full frame (36mm x 24mm) format sensor with 3.76µm pixels and native 16-bit A/D. This sensor is available in both monochrome and color versions. With its round body design, the QHY600C (Colour) is an ideal camera to match the image circle of the new generation of Celestron RASA telescopes where its shape will not obstruct or reduce the RASA's front aperture.
The new Sony sensor used in the QHY600 has native 16-bit A/D on-chip. The output is a real 16-bits with 65536 levels. Compared to 12-bit and 14-bit A/D, a 16-bit A/D yields higher sample resolution and the system gain will be less than 1e-/ADU with no sample error noise and very low read noise. This leads to the possibility of images with superb dynamic range.
One benefit of the back-illuminated CMOS structure is improved full well capacity. This is particularly helpful for sensors with small pixels. Even unbinned, the QHY600 has a full well capacity of more than 51ke-. When binned 2x2 to 7.5um the full well is 196ke- and when binned 3x3 to 11um the full well is 441ke-
The QHY600 has only one electron of read noise at high gain / full resolution and a 4FPS readout speed. One electron of read noise means the camera can achieve a SNR>3dB at only 4 to 6 photons. This is perfect performance when conditions are photon limited, i.e., short exposures, narrow band imaging, etc. This makes the sensor ideal for sky surveys, time domain astronomy, fluorescence imaging, DNA sequencing and microscopy.
In order to provide smooth uninterrupted data transfer of the entire 60MP sensor at high speed, the QHY600 has 2GB DDR3 image buffer. In addition the camera features a USB3.0 interface for transmission of data at high speed.
Specifications
Model QHY600 PH (QHY600U3G20C) Colour
Image Sensor SONY Full Frame BSI CMOS Sensor IMX455ALK-C (Consumer Grade)
Pixel Size 3.76um x 3.76um Colour
Sensor Surface Glass AR+AR Multi-Coated
Sensor Type Back-Illuminated (BSI)
Effective Pixels 61.17 Megapixels 9576 x 6388 effective area. (9600 x 6422 with overscan and optically black area)
Effective Image Area 36mm x 24mm
Full Well Capacity (1x1, 2x2, 3x3) Standard Mode >51ke- / >204ke- / >408ke- Extend Full Well Mode >80ke- / >320ke- / >720ke-
A/D 16-bit (0-65535 levels) at 1x1 binning 18-bit at 2x2, 19-bit at 3x3, 20-bit at 4x4 software binning *QHY600 uses the software digital binning for 2x2binning. With digital sum, 2x2binning will be four 16-bit summed then it is 18-bit.
Sensor Size Full Frame Format (36mm x 24mm)
Image Transfer Speed
Full Frame Size: 4.0FPS (8-bit output)
Full Frame Size: 2.5FPS (16-bit output)
7.2FPS at 9600 x 3194
22.5FPS at 9600 x 1080
28FPS at 9600 x 768
47FPS at 9600 x 480
160FPS at 9600 x 100
Read Noise 1.0e- to 3.7e- (Standard Mode)
Dark Current 0.0032e-/p/s @ -20C° 0.0056e-/p/s @ -10C°
Exposure Time Range 40us - 3600sec
Firmware/FPGA remote Upgrade Supported. Via Camera USB Port
Shutter Type Electric Rolling Shutter
Computer Interface USB3.0
Built-in Image Buffer 1GBytes（8Gbit）/ 2GBytes（16Gbit）DDR3 memory Non-volatile memory / On camera storage Build-in total 64MByte Flash Memory. 10MBytes user-accessible space for stellar ROI frames for analysis of exoplanet investigation, occultations, atmospheric seeing measurement, focus, optical analysis, etc. Supports 100 x 100 image x 500 frames, 50 x 50 image x 4000 frames, 25 x 25 image x 16000 frames, 10 x 10 image x 250000 frames
Cooling System Dual Stage TEC cooler: - Long exposures (> 1 second) typically -35C° below ambient - Short exposure (< 1second) high FPS, typically -30C° below ambient
Water Cooling Version QHYCCD can offer this as an option. Please contact us for details
Anti-Dew Heater Yes
Telescope Interface M54/0.75
Optic Window Type AR+AR High Quality Multi-Layer Anti-Reflection Coating
Power 40W/100% 20W/50% 13.8W/0%
Back Focal Length 17.5mm (±0.2) A special short backfocus front piece is available as an option. It provides is about 7mm B.F.L. Contact us for more details
Weight (net) Photographic Version: 837g (Not including the M54/0.75mm center/tilt adjust ring)
