Re: video camera for 1550nm

Michael Koch wrote:
Hi,

I need a video camera for 1550nm, for example an IR vidicon camera. Any idea where to get a cheap one (let's say < $500) ?
Are there any CCD cameras for 1550nm?


Unless you can get really lucky on ebay I don't think you have a chance.
The cheapest commercial CCD 1550nm camera I'm aware of uses a phosphor coating on a silicon CCD to up-convert 1550nm. They have decent resolution but limited sensitivity and still cost $2000. It's the Spiricon SP-1550M. Edmund Scientifc sells a stand alone 1550nm phosphor converter for $1637 which will work with 1/2" B&W CCD cameras with sensitivity in the 950-1050 nm range. model NT56-754 . I would expect it to be less sensitive than the Spiricon because of poorer coupling.


Vidicon cameras made by Electrophysics show up occasionally on Ebay but tested working models with good 1550 sensitivity still demand a high price, typically $2k or more. InGaAs CCDs have excellent sensitivity and resolution but cost the better part of $10K. Surplus ones are very rare.

If you can live with very low sensitivity you might for $500 be able to jury rig a silicon CCD behind a korean war vintage military IR viewer which has an S1 photocathode. They have about 1 part in 10,000 the sensitivity at 1550 that they have at 800nm. Those scopes often sell for under $200.

A bare silicon CCD has no response at 1550 (or even 1310). Find-R-Scope viewers with extended IR response to 1700nm also show up on ebay occasionally but they usually sell closer to $1500. A CCD camera could be attached.

If I knew of a decent 1550nm camera for $500 I'd buy it myself. I don't.

.

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