«Invited Lecture» Ultrahigh-sensitivity HARP Camera and Its Application

Abstract

We have developed an ultrahigh-sensitivity HARP handheld camera, which has a sensitivity that is about 100 times as great as that of a CCD camera. The sensitivity of TV cameras is determined by the performance of the imaging device. We developed the world's first imaging device that achieves high sensitivity and high picture quality by using the continuous and stable avalanche multiplication phenomenon in an amorphous selenium photoconductive target. This imaging device, called the HARP pickup tube, has an avalanche multiplication factor of more than 600. The HARP handheld camera equipped with the new tubes has a maximum sensitivity of 11 lx at F8. This camera is a powerful tool for reporting breaking news at night and other low-light conditions, the production of scientific programs, and numerous other applications.