Princeton 4411-0097 ユーザーズマニュアル

52 

PI-MTE System Manual 

Version 4.C 

Note: Since PI-MTE cameras do not use shutters, the Shutter Type selection on the 

 tab page should be "None". 

The shutter options available include Normal, PreOpen, Disable Opened or Disable 
Closed. Disable simply means that the shutter will not operate during the experiment. 
Disable closed is useful for making dark charge measurements or when no shutter is 
present. PreOpen, available in the External Sync and External Sync with Continuous 
Cleans modes, opens the shutter as soon as the ST-133 is ready to receive an External 
Sync pulse. This is required if the time between the External Sync pulse and the event is 
less than a few milliseconds, the time it takes the shutter to open. 

The shutter timing is shown in the timing diagrams that follow. Except for Free Run, 
where the modes of shutter operation are identical, both Normal and PreOpen lines are 
shown in the timing diagrams and flow chart. 

The timing diagrams are labeled indicating the exposure time (t

exp

), shutter 

compensation time (t

c

), and readout time (t

R

). Note that if there is no shutter selected in 

the software, the shutter compensation time (the time required to close a mechanical 
shutter) will be approximately 0 ms. For more information about these parameters, refer 
to the discussion of full frame readout, starting on page 46. 

In the Free Run mode the controller does not 
synchronize with the experiment in any way. The 
shutter opens as soon as the previous readout is 
complete, and remains open for the exposure time, 
t

exp

. Any External Sync signals are ignored. This 

mode is useful for experiments with a constant light 
source, such as a CW laser or a DC lamp. Other 
experiments that can utilize this mode are high 
repetition studies, where the number of shots that 
occur during a single shutter cycle is so large that it 
appears to be continuous illumination. 

Other experimental equipment can be synchronized to 
the ST-133 controller by using the output signal 
(software-selectable 

 or 

 on 

the 

 tab page) 

from the 

 connector. Shutter operation and the 

NOT SCAN output signal are shown in Figure 16.  

Shutter opens

Shutter remains open

for preprogrammed

exposure time

System waits while

shutter closes

 

 

                                                      

*

  NOT SCAN reports when the controller is finished reading out the CCD array. NOT SCAN is 

high when the CCD array is not being scanned, then drops low when readout begins, returning to 
high when the process is finished. The second signal, SHUTTER, reports when the shutter is 
opened and can be used to synchronize external shutters. SHUTTER is low when the shutter is 
closed and goes high when the shutter is activated, dropping low again after the shutter closes.