Kodak Increases Sensitivity of Full Frame CCD Image Sensor

November 5, 2001 - Eastman Kodak Company announced today an upgraded version of the popular KAF-3200E image sensor, the KAF-3200ME. The KAF-3200ME offers a significant increase in the CCD's ability to convert incident light into electrical energy (known as the quantum efficiency, or QE, of the image sensor). This announcement marks the next step in the advancement of Kodak's award winning Blue Plus family of full-frame image sensors. The KAF-3200ME is the first sensor to combine Kodak's indium-tin-oxide (ITO) process with its advanced microlens technology on a single sensor. Manufacturers developing camera systems for scientific and medical imaging applications can take immediate advantage of this increased QE by offering products which have improved low light imaging performance, higher signal-to-noise ratios, and faster frame speeds - all critical factors when comparing high performance imaging systems.

"The KAF-3200ME takes our popular Blue Plus imagers to a new performance level," said Helen Titus, marketing manager for Kodak's Image Sensor Solutions Division. "By continually improving the capability of our image sensors, Kodak is expanding its position as a leading supplier of CCD and CMOS imagers for the world's most demanding imaging applications."

Peak quantum efficiency for the KAF-3200ME has been increased 18% to a total of 85%. Previously, this level of QE was achievable only through the expensive process of thinning the wafer and illuminating the image sensor from the backside. QE for the blue wavelengths has been improved by 49% and by 25% in the near IR region. Kodak plans to provide similar QE improvements on several of its other Blue Plus sensors in the near future.

Availability
The 3.2-million pixel KAF-3200ME with spatial resolution of 2,184(H) x 1,510(V) and 6.8um square pixels is available immediately. For more information on Kodak's image sensor product line, visit www.Kodak.com/go/imagers.

SOURCE Kodak