Signal-to-Noise Ratio Comparison of CardioCCD-SMQ and EMCCD

The following graph compares the singal-to noise ratio (SNR) of the CardioCCD-SMQ and of an EMCCD camera, at low to medium light levels, at 500HZ :

SMQ vs, EMCCD - medium light


Theoretical Limit:QE - 100%, ReadNoise - 0e-, No Shot Noise Penalty factor (PF = 1.0);
cardioCCD-SMQ:QE - 90%, ReadNoise - 6.5-7e- (at 500fps, 30X & 10X gain), No Shot Noise Penalty factor (PF= 1.0);
EMCCD:QE - 90%
EM on : ReadNoise - 0e- + extraneous noise (0 is used), Shot Noise Penalty factor >= ( is used);
EM off:ReadNoise - 51e-, No Shot Noise Penalty factor (PF= 1.0);

Algorithm:

algorithm

Where:

     I – Effective Light Intensity,

     LI – Light Intensity,

     N – Noise (RMS),

     Ns – Shot Noise, 

     Nr – Read Noise,

     QE – Quantum Efficiency,

     PF – Penalty Factor (shot noise)

   


grey ellipse

A typical example of ArcLight operating range for Drosophila is conceptually placed in the graph based on
 
the photon measurement and DF/F of 5-10% using the optimal setting of the cardioCCD-SMQ system.

  Red Square

The Red region shows the S/N advantage of cardioCCD-SMQ over EMCCD (EM on). EMCCD (EM on) has advantage over cardioCCD-SMQ when photons/frame/pixel is less than 100e- (near the origin).   

  Blue curve -  In "EM on" mode the well size is limited. The cap may vary for different devices.
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