QHY CMOS camera model QHY294M Pro Monochrome

The QHY294 Pro series camera is capable of locking and unlocking on-chip binning to provide two readout modes. The first mode reads the sensor in "locked" mode to produce 11.6mp images with a pixel size of 4.63um and 14 bits per pixel. The second read mode unlocks the binning to produce 46.8mp images with a pixel size of 2.315um and 12 bits per pixel.

Examples of images

Centaurus A

Amit Ashok Kamble, QHY294M Pro

Summary

The 294Pro has 11.7 MP at 4.63um, 14-bit A/D. The IMX492 chips have 46.8 million 2.315um pixels, which Sony 2×2 bins on-chip to create the announced 11.7 million pixel 4.63um sensor array.

The QHY294 Pro CMOS sensor has a dual gain mode, HGC (high gain) and LGC (low gain). The QHY294 Pro will switch the two modes automatically when the gain is set to 1600, giving you the advantages of the ultra-low read noise (1e- to 1.6e-) of the HGC mode and a full-well capability of about 14.5ke- at the switch point setting.

BSI

One of the advantages of the back-illuminated CMOS structure is the improved full-well capability. In a typical front-illuminated sensor, photons from the target entering the photosensitive layer of the sensor must first pass through the metal wiring that is embedded just above the photosensitive layer. The structure of the wiring reflects some of the photons and reduces the efficiency of the sensor.

In the back-illuminated sensor, light can penetrate the photosensitive surface from the reverse side. In this case, the wiring structure embedded in the sensor is located below the photosensitive layer. As a result, more photons strike the photosensitive layer and more electrons are generated and captured in the pixel well. This ratio of photon output to electron output is called quantum efficiency. The higher the quantum efficiency, the more efficient the sensor is at converting photons into electrons, and therefore the more sensitive the sensor is at capturing an image of something faint.

True Raw Data

In the DSLR implementation there is a RAW image output, but it is usually not completely RAW. If you examine closely, you can still see some signs of noise reduction and hot pixel removal. This can have a negative effect on the image for astronomy, such as the "star-eating" effect. However, QHY cameras offer a TRUE RAW IMAGE OUTPUT and produce an image composed only of the original signal, thus maintaining maximum flexibility for post-acquisition astronomical image processing programs and other scientific imaging applications.

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Anti-dew technology

Based on almost 20 years of experience in cold room design, the QHY cold room has implemented total dew control solutions. The optical window has a built-in dew heater and the chamber is protected from internal moisture condensation. An electric heater plate for the chamber window can prevent dew formation and the sensor itself is kept dry with our silicone gel tube socket design for humidity control inside the sensor chamber.

Cooling

In addition to dual-stage TE cooling, QHYCCD implements proprietary technology in hardware to control dark current noise.

Technical characteristics

Curves

Mechanical dimensions

Box contents