Introduction to high performance CCD cameras

Scientific grade, cooled, charge coupled devices (CCDs) combined with low noise electronic design has redefined the scope of quantitative light imaging. Successful application of this technology requires a basic understanding of CCD camera operation. A brief introduction to CCD camera technology is provided as an aid to investigators interested in quantitative light measurement. Parameters used to characterize camera performance, full-well capacity, dynamic range, read noise, dark current, and linearity are defined.