electron multiplying CCD (EMCCD)

An EMCCD, Electron Multiplying Charge Coupled Device (EMCCD), is a high sensitivity CCD sensor. It is also referred to as a Low Light Level CCD (LLLCCD or L3CCD).

The high light sensitivity of EMCCD devices is achieved by an integrated electron multiplier. Electron multiplication occurs in charge-coupled shift registers, several of which are connected in series and successively traversed by the electrons. In each individual shift register, multiplication takes place by an avalanche effect.

The number of amplifier stages determines the amplification factor. By integrating the amplifier stages into the charge coupled device, the inherent noise is low and the signal-to-noise ratio improves with multiplication.