sCMOS (scientific Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) are a type of
CMOS image sensor (CIS).[1] These sensors are commonly used as components in specific observational scientific instruments, such as
microscopes[2] and
telescopes.[3] sCMOS image sensors offer extremely low noise, rapid
frame rates, wide
dynamic range, high quantum efficiency,
high resolution, and a large field of view simultaneously in one image.[4][5]
Prior to the introduction of the technology, scientists were limited to using either
CCD or
EMCCD cameras, both of which had their own set of technical limitations.[7] While back-illuminated electron-multiplying CCD (EMCCD) cameras are optimal for purposes requiring the lowest noise and dark currents, sCMOS technology's higher pixel count and lower cost result in its use in a wide range of precision applications. sCMOS devices can capture data in a global-shutter “snapshot” mode over all the pixels or rectangular subsets of pixels, and can also operate in a rolling-shutter mode.[8][1]
The cameras are available with a
monochrome sCMOS image sensors or with
RGB sCMOS image sensors. With sCMOS, digital information for each frame is generated rapidly and with an improved low-light image quality. The sCMOS sensor's low read noise and larger area provides a low-noise, large
field-of-view (FOV) image that enables researchers to scan across a sample and capture high-quality images.[9][5]
Some disadvantages at this time, (2023), with sCMOS cameras versus related technologies are:
sCMOS sensors tend be more expensive than traditional CMOS sensors.
sCMOS sensors have a limited resolution compared to other types of sensors like CCD.[10]
Weste, Neil H. E.; Harris, David M. (2010). CMOS VLSI Design: A Circuits and Systems Perspective, Fourth Edition. Boston: Pearson/Addison-Wesley. p. 840.
ISBN978-0-321-54774-3.
http://CMOSVLSI.com/