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Gpixel Announces Breakthrough Latest Generation Scientific Image Sensor with Sub-Electron Noise at 300 FPS and Single Photon Detection at 100 FPS Targeting Extreme Low Light Microscopy

date:2025-06-26

June 26, 2025, Changchun, China – Gpixel announces GSENSE6504BSI, an extreme-sensitivity backside-illuminated scientific CMOS image sensor utilizing Gpixel’s latest generation technology for single photon detection and ultra-low dark current. GSENSE6504BSI is a 2048 x 2048 (4.2 MP) resolution image sensor with industry-standard 6.5 μm2 pixels and 18.8 mm diagonal, offered in the same package as the previous generation GSENSE2020BSI for easy integration. The sensor has a square format for optimized pairing with microscope objectives. GSENSE6504BSI has 95% peak quantum efficiency at 450 nm while maintaining >50% on average between 200-300 nm. The sensor is capable of single photon detection at 100 fps, while also offering a 300 fps high-speed mode with sub-electron read noise, and more than an order of magnitude reduction in dark current compared to the popular GSENSE2020BSI.


                                               

Figure 1. GSENSE6504BSI is packaged in a 153-pin µPGA ceramic package with removable glass lid identical to the GSENSE2020BSI package, 

making the sensor mechanically compatible with existing cameras.


The sensor offers three imaging modes. In low-noise mode, the sensor achieves a read noise floor of 0.43 e- (rms) at 100 fps while delivering 91 dB of dynamic range using the on-chip dual-gain output. In the high-speed mode, the sensor delivers a read noise of 0.7 e- (median)  at its maximum frame rate of 300 fps. The sensor also supports an HDR mode with 0.8 e- (median) noise, 170 fps, and 85 dB dynamic range. The maximum full well capacity of the image sensor is 15 ke- in all read out modes.



Figure 1. GSENSE6504BSI is capable of single photon detection with a noise histogram peak of 0.28 e- and 0.43 e-rms.

Figure 2. Single photon detection experiment conducted using GSENSE6504BSI image sensor at -20℃ die temperature and 100,000 frames. 

Each curve represents the response of an individual pixel with differerent noise as indicated in the legend.



Image data is converted with an on-chip 12-bit ADC  provided at the output interface through 16 channels of LVDS at 1.2 Gbps each for a total maximum data rate of 19.2 Gbps. The maximum power consumption is 1.6 W.  

Figure 3. Signal-to-noise comparison of GSENSE6504BSI and GSENSE2020BSI when imaging a resolution chart under 2 photon/pixel mean signal level at room temperature.


In addition to 3x lower read noise, the new generation technology offers a 17x improvement in dark current performance. GSENSE6504BSI has a measured dark current of 0.004 electrons/pixel/second at -30(die temperature) compared to 0.07 electrons/pixel/second for the same pixel size in GSENSE2020BSI.


Figure 4. Dark current comparison of GSENSE6504BSI and GSENSE2020BSI over temperature.



“The GSENSE2020BSI has been a workhorse in the microscopy industry for many years. The GSENSE6504BSI updates the category’s capability with lower noise and higher frame rate, while maintaining a broadband sensitivity from UV over VIS to NIR with the expected 95% peak quantum efficiency.” says Wim Wuyts, Gpixel’s Chief Commercial Officer. "The sensor's square optical format and low noise at high frame rates, coupled with wide spectral sensitivity, enable efficient use of optics and single photon detection at high speed for new scientific applications."


Figure 5. High sensitivity in the UV combined with ultra low noise operation expand the applications for GSENSE6504BSI.

Figure 6. Compared to GSENSE2020BSI, GSENSE6504BSI low-noise mode offers lower noise at higher frame rate while maintaining dynamic range.

 

GSENSE6504BSI is a monochrome, rolling shutter CMOS image sensor with global reset and a lightsheet mode that provides trigger control for synchronization. The sensor features on-chip temperature sensor, on-chip SPI control, and supports a low dark current mode for longer exposures. Image data is read out via 16 LVDS channels and vertical windowing is supported for increased frame rate at lower resolution. GSENSE6504BSI is packaged in a 153-pin µPGA ceramic package with removable glass lid identical to the GSENSE2020BSI package, making the sensor mechanically compatible with existing cameras.

 

 

Purchase orders can be placed now for samples and evaluation system.

For more information, please contact Gpixel at info@gpixel.com or visit www.gpixel.com.

 

 

About the GSENSE Sensor Family
The GSENSE series is Gpixel’s family of ultra high performance rolling shutter scientific CMOS image sensors. The product line addresses a wide variety of applications with diverse specifications including quantum efficiency over 95%, noise below 1 e-, dynamic range up to 110 dB and data rates over 76 Gbps.  Primary applications include spectroscopy, fluorescence imaging, astronomy, physical science, UV imaging, and medical imaging.

 

About Gpixel

Gpixel is an international company providing high-end customized and off-the-shelf CMOS image sensor solutions for industrial, medical, scientific, and professional photography and video applications. Gpixel provides a broad portfolio of products leveraging the latest technologies to meet the ever-growing demands of the high-performance imaging market.

https://www.gpixel.com

 

 

Press inquiries:

 

Gloria Putnam

Global Director Marketing & Sales

Gpixel

gloria.putnam@gpixel.com

+17603108227


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