Here at Hamamatsu Photonics we have developed a new “Immunochromato Reader C10066-60” that gives precise readouts of fluorescence in immunochromatographic reagents. Its measurement sensitivity has been boosted more than 10 times higher than currently available products by applying our own advanced signal processing technology and optical design technology.

This new immunochromato reader (lateral flow reader) does high-sensitivity detection of reagent reactions occurring with antigens such as viruses and hormones or antibodies reacting with viruses, etc. It is a promising tool for streamlining R&D work on immunochromatographic reagents including those for novel coronavirus (COVID-19). We start accepting product orders from domestic and overseas reagent manufacturers on October 1st (Thu), 2020. We will also be supplying this immunochromato reader as a commercially available OEM (original equipment manufacturer) product that matches the reagents produced by each manufacturer.

3D TOF sensors contribute to touchless machinery operation and labor-saving autonomous robots

Touchless operation of machinery for hygiene management, measurement tools for ensuring social distance, and labor-saving autonomous robots are becoming more common in everyday life. This trend has attracted attention to the sensor technology that makes such technologies possible.

The distance image sensor is designed to measure the distance to an object by an indirect TOF (time-of-flight) method. It can be used for people/object detection and shape recognition in various situations requiring touchless (non-contact) or labor-saving technology.

We have recently added three back-thinned sensors (64 pixels, 256 pixels, and 96 × 72 pixels) to our lineup.

We plan to further expand our sensor lineup and release module products that integrate a light source (pulsed laser diode), optical system, and integrated circuits (ASIC).

A new type of image sensor combining TDI-CCD and CMOS readout circuits
TDI-CCD image sensors S14810/S14813

Hamamatsu has developed an image sensor that combines the advantages of TDI-CCD, which can ensure adequate brightness for images even during high-speed imaging, with the merits of a CMOS readout circuit for high-speed line rate and digital output.

While conventional TDI-CCD image sensors are capable of high sensitivity, high speed imaging, the fact that they use analog output makes it necessary for the customer to add a signal processing circuit. Our newly developed S14810 and S14813 use a CMOS readout circuit for digital output, simplifying design of external circuits and making the products easier to use.

We also offer custom designs, such as increasing the number of TDI-CCD pixels, or increasing the number of columns for column parallel readout in order to improve the line rate.

Hamamatsu Photonics has developed a new pinhole inspection unit that quickly finds tiny pinhole defects in sheet workpieces down to a diameter of only 1 micron.

By making use of a photomultiplier tube with a large photosensitive area and a noise-suppression signal processing technique, Hamamatsu Photonics has developed a new pinhole inspection unit, the model C15477 that quickly finds pinhole defects as small as 1 micron (millionth of a meter or μm hereafter) in diameter in sheet workpieces. This new product can detect tiny pinhole defects only a quarter of the size of pinholes detectable up to now, and so will improve inspection accuracy for tasks such as inspecting pinhole defects in fuel cell separators for fuel cell vehicles and aluminum laminate films for pouch rechargeable batteries. This product is available as a set with a light source unit and a light collector unit optimized for inspecting pinhole defects in sheet workpieces such as large thin metal sheets measuring 480 mm wide by 180 mm deep. Sales begin Monday, March 2nd, 2020 chiefly for domestic and overseas automotive-related manufacturers.

Hamamatsu Photonics has developed a palm-sized FTIR engine capable of highly sensitive detection of near-infrared light at wavelengths ranging from 1.1 to 2.5 micrometers.

By applying our own unique microelectro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology, we have successfully developed a palm-sized “Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) engine C15511-01” offering high sensitivity to near-infrared light at wavelengths from 1.1 to 2.5 micrometers (abbreviated to μm: μ is one millionth). This FT-IR engine will assist in creating portable handheld FTIR spectrophotometers for analytical applications including real-time monitoring of chemicals on production lines and ingredient analysis of agricultural products in the field. We start accepting product orders from domestic and overseas analytical instrument manufacturers from Monday, February 3rd, 2020.

This FTIR engine will be on display at the exhibition running in parallel to the International Conference “SPIE Photonics West 2020” held in San Francisco, California, United States, for 3 days from February 4th (Tue) to 6th (Thu).

SWIR (short-wavelength infrared) imaging is a great solution for nondestructive inspection. It sees under the surface, differentiates materials based on their SWIR spectral signatures, and offers a safe and convenient way to ensure product quality. Example applications include checking liquid volumes in packages, inspecting contents of sealed containers, and detecting damages and contaminants in agricultural products. In addition, applications in the semiconductor industry include Si wafer pattern inspection and solar cell defect detection.

Integrating SWIR imaging into production lines requires fast line rate, high-sensitivity cameras such as the new C15333-10E InGaAs line scan camera from Hamamatsu.

Released on November 1, the C15333-10E InGaAs line scan camera joins Hamamatsu’s long-established product line of SWIR and NIR (near-infrared) imaging technologies, which include InGaAs area cameras for high-quality inspection. This new camera is ideal for real-time, inline nondestructive inspection using SWIR imaging, and has the following features:

• High SWIR sensitivity
• Fast line rate
• 1024-pixel linear array
• GigE Vision

Hamamatsu Photonics introduces a new micro PMT encapsulated in a plastic package ideal for downsizing medical diagnostic devices and environmental analyzers.

Hamamatsu Photonics now offers a new micro PMT “R12900U” housing the world’s smallest photomultiplier tube in a miniature plastic package designed to easily mount on electronic circuit boards. Installing this new micro PMT to serve as a photodetector means environmental analyzers, portable medical diagnostic devices and so on can now be drastically downsized for convenient use anywhere needed including patient bedsides.

Hamamatsu is the first in the world to succeed in mass-producing a compound opto-semiconductor that detects mid-infrared light to a wavelength of 14.3 μm without using hazardous substances restricted under the RoHS directive.

By utilizing compound opto-semiconductor manufacturing technology developed in-house over many years, we are the first in the world to succeed in mass-producing a compound opto-semiconductor (Type-II superlattice infrared detector)* not containing harmful mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd) but able to detect mid-infrared light to a wavelength of 14.3 micrometers (a micrometer, abbreviated μm, is one millionth of a meter). Mercury and cadmium are common materials used for mid-infrared detectors but are restricted substances under the RoHS directive issued by EU that prohibits use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products sold in the EU market. So our new product will likely replace currently available mid-infrared detectors that contain restricted substances. Our new product will prove ideal for analytical instruments that rely on mid-infrared light to identify substances contained in the air, foods, and drugs. 

Hamamatsu has developed a novel 3D fluorescence scanning method called "Zyncscan™" with a light-sheet for cell-based fluorescence assays in microplates

Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. has developed a novel 3D fluorescence scanning method called "Zyncscan™" that performs x-z plane scans using a light-sheet for cell-based fluorescence assays in microplates. This technology provides an x-z plane scan using a light-sheet for a whole 96/384/1536-well microplate, allowing users to obtain 3D fluorescence images of whole wells in xy: 2–3 μm and z: 6–7 μm voxel resolution for ≤ 300 μm thickness from the well bottom within a few minutes per color. This technology also allows for ultra-high level separation of cell fluorescence signals from the background, which makes it possible to obtain cell fluorescence images in the cell culture mediums containing serum and with fluorescent dyes (i.e., no need to wash out fluorescent dyes).

Hamamatsu Photonics has developed an InGaAs area image sensor for hyperspectral cameras capable of detecting short-wavelength-infrared light up to 2.55 µm which is the world’s longest wavelength detectable by this type of area image sensor.

By applying compound opto-semiconductor manufacturing technology fostered in-house over many years, we designed and developed a new area image sensor G14674-0808W made of indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) capable of detecting short-wavelength-infrared light up to 2.55 µm which is the world’s longest wavelength detectable by this type of area image sensor. Installing this new InGaAs image sensor into hyperspectral cameras for plastic recycling will boost the plastic recycling rate since hyperspectral cameras can screen and sort plastics containing flame-retardant resin to separate them out from other plastics, which has been extremely difficult up till now. 

Hamamatsu Photonics has newly developed the world’s tiniest grating spectrometer offering high sensitivity, compact size, light weight and low cost.

Hamamatsu Photonics has newly developed the world’s smallest (in-house survey), grating spectrometer “SMD series mini-spectrometer C14384MA” offering high near-infrared sensitivity, compact size, light weight and low cost. Our C14384MA has a cubic size of about 1/40th, and weight of about 1/30th that of our MS series mini-spectrometers with sensitivity in the same near-infrared range, yet the sensitivity is about 50 times higher. This makes the C14384MA ideal for applications where real-time on-site measurement is required such as quality inspections of food or agricultural crops and even environmental analysis from a quadcopters or drones.

Enabling real-time spectroscopic measurements at the workplace and at home Ultra-compact spectrum sensor

A new product has been added to the MEMS-FPI*spectrum sensor lineup of ultra-compact near infrared spectrum sensors.
The new C14273 sensor has more sensitivity in the long-wavelength band than the 2 current types. The spectral response range is between 1.75 and 2.15 μm.

Hamamatsu Photonics has newly developed ionization-assisting substrates that will drastically reduce the pretreatment time in imaging mass spectrometry.

Hamamatsu Photonics has newly developed ionization-assisting substrates called the DIUTHAME series. DIUTHAME is an acronym for Desorption Ionization Using Through Hole Alumina MEmbrane that utilize porous alumina to drastically reduce the pretreatment time needed for ionizing a sample or analyte to be analyzed by imaging mass spectrometry. To complete sample-pretreatment for mass spectrometry, all one has to do is place the DIUTHAME substrate on the sample. This shortens the pretreatment time to about one tenth that of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization or MALDI which is a mainstream ionization technique for mass spectrometry. DIUTHAME is also usable for measurement with existing MALDI-TOF-MS.

High-speed readout 100 kline/s max.
CMOS linear image sensor for industrial camera S13774

The S13774 is a CMOS linear image sensor developed for industrial cameras that require high-speed scanning. The column-parallel readout system, which has a readout amplifier and an A/D converter for each pixel, allows high-speed readout. For the A/D converter resolution, either 10-bit (high-speed mode: 100 klines/s max.) or 12-bit (low-speed mode: 25 klines/s max.) can be selected. Image data is output serially in 180 MHz LVDS format.

Compact and low cost 1D InGaAs image sensor, allowing installation in a portable equipment

Hamamatsu has developed the low cost 1D InGaAs image sensor G13913 series by employing a small size LCC (Leadless Chip-Carrier) package. 1D InGAs image sensors have been used widely for near infrared spectroscopy. There is growing demand on a sensor for downsizing and current consumption reduction.

A back-illuminated structure InGaAs array chip of 128 ch or 256 ch is adopted to the G13913 series, realizing both small size and low cost. Unlike a conventional 1D InGaAs image sensor mainly for a large size instrument, the new features of the G13913 series will make installation in a portable equipment possible.