Princeton Instruments has introduced LightField 4.0, a 64-bit image and spectral acquisition software package that provides a cutting-edge user interface and the powerful functionality needed to set up and perform complex optical diagnostic experiments. The software fully supports Princeton Instruments Pixis, PI-Max 3, ProEM, PyLoN, and Quad-RO cameras as well as Acton series spectrographs, including the popular LS785.
The software provides the IntelliCal spectrograph calibration method, a LightField option that ensures pixel-by-pixel wavelength and intensity accuracy by using NIST-traceable references. In addition, the platform offers the ability to control Princeton Instruments PI-Max 3 ICCD cameras via a virtual dashboard akin to a laboratory oscilloscope.
LightField's automated IntelliCal feature allows calibration of entire spectra in both the wavelength and intensity scales against the NIST database. The spectral response of all elements in the detection path, including that of the grating and the camera, has been taken into account. As a result, the accuracy of IntelliCal calibration can be as much as 10x better than standard calibration, allowing researchers to compare their data on absolute scales.
Whenever a PI-Max 3 ICCD camera is connected, LightField automatically displays SuperSynchro timing and intensifier control. Users can interactively drag and adjust the gate delay, width (<500ps achievable with PI-Max 3), SyncMaster, and auxiliary delays on-the-fly. Synchronising the camera with external lasers is simple, too. LightField even automatically keeps track of gate delay/width information in the acquired file. Furthermore, with a single click, users can quickly plot 'time vs. intensity' graphs to gain fast insight into the process under study.
Additional LightField features include automatic hardware detection with intelligent default setup, automatic saving of every acquisition (complete with raw data and experiment settings), direct streaming of multi-gigabyte pixel data to hard drive, 'live vs. previously acquired' data comparison, live statistics, a search box, a spectrograph alignment helper, a built-in time stamp, multiple-user experiment settings (save/load), multiple-camera control, and limitless customisation possibilities (via add-ins, automation with third-party programs, and the PICAM application programming interface). LightField runs on Microsoft Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate operating systems.