Grab Control

Continuous Frames

Captures continuous images, each with the displayed exposure length (entered in the Exposure Control

panel). When selected, the button changes to Stop Grab to abort the capture.

Stream Frames

An additional three modes regarding frame count are available when a QSFP connection is in use. These

modes are titles Stream - Single, Stream - Multiple, and Stream - Continuous. These options mirror their

non-stream modes and operate in the same way with some slight differences. These modes instruct FLI Pilot

to direct all images from the camera directly into the computer's memory. This significantly increases the

frame rate of capture, however it removes the ability to change the file type prior to saving. All frames of a

stream will be saved as a .RCD file.

Additionally, no image will be displayed in FLI Pilot while the frames are being grabbed. The desired save

path for a stream must be set in the Stream tab of Imaging Parameters. Note: This means the save path set in

the File tab will not be used.

Dark Frame

If your camera has a mechanical shutter, this mode may help calibrate the pixels by obtaining an image (data)

with the shutter closed (essentially no light (dark)) that is same length as your desired image. However, even

when the camera is completely blocked by a closed shutter, the array collects a dark charge pattern

dependent on exposure time and camera temp. By collecting a dark frame, this information can then be

subtracted from the intended image to reduce dark charge artifacts. The longer the exposure and warmer the

camera, the larger the dark current growth and noise accumulation may be.

Flood Frame

This mode is applicable for full frame sensors but not sCMOS sensors. It is useful to fill sensor traps that

cause ghosting. Enable the LED to flood the image with light. This is sometimes called "Flash."

RBI_Flush

This mode fires the pre-flash with the shutter closed, then reads out the sensor (essentially pre-flash plus bias).

the length of the pre-flash is therefore defined by the same bar as the exposure. If you do a long pre-flash, you

may want to add one or more additional bias or dark frames (for clearing purposes) to see their effect. Longer

dark frames will allow more trapped charge to migrate. The highest uniformity is achieved with a pre-flash that

fills all the wells to capacity, but that also adds more noise to the image.

This mode is applicable for full frame sensors, but not sCMOS sensors. It is useful to fill sensor traps that

cause ghosting.

During long exposures, images being read do not extract full charge, thus artifacts of the previous image may

emerge on the next image (as a ghost). This is a defect in the pixels ability to completely reset. Ghosting is

more prevalent at lower operating temperatures.

Bias Frame

A bias frame is a frame captured with the shortest exposure time possible. The outcome of such is that any

flaws or discontinuities in the image caused by minute differences between pixels can be subtracted out to

produce an image with very little influence from internal imperfections.

Exposure

Displays the exposure time that will be used for image capture. The exposure time here may differ from the

exposure time inputted in the Exposure tab of Imaging Parameters if the time entered is not physically

possible in the camera connected. This will only ever be a problem for very short exposures (<50us). If the

Control Panel layout is collapsible, click "Exposure" to open Exposure under Imaging Parameters to change the

time.

Cooler Temp

Displays the current temperature of the sensor. If the Control Panel is collapsible, click "Cooler Temp" to open

Camera under Imaging Parameters to change the desired operating temperature. If the current temperature

does not match the desired operating temperature, the sensor will cool at a rate of approximately 5°C per

minute. This is to ensure the sensor does not receive a thermal shock.

Camera Mode

Displays the current camera mode. If the Control Panel is collapsible, click "Camera Mode" to open Sensor

under Imaging Parameters to change the mode.

Binning

Displays the current binning value. If the Control Panel is collapsible, click "Binning" to open Sensor under

Imaging Parameters to change the value.

Save to File

Save to File will display True if the captured data will be saved automatically. If it displays False, the file will not

be saved automatically. Save to File will only display true if, within File, a file type is selected, a image to be

saved is selected, and a file path is selected. If the Control Panel is collapsible, click "Save To File" to open File

under Imaging Parameters to change the settings.

Display

This setting toggles the Grab Control Panel display mode between button and drop down. This differences of

which are described under Change Grab Control Panel Display.