A fast double shutter system for CCD image sensors

A new fast shutter system for CCD sensor-based cameras is presented. This system is capable of providing for the first time short exposure times for two consecutive frames recorded in fast succession with high spatial resolutions. In addition, a third frame can be recorded with a long exposure time, this then corresponding to the well-known 'double shutter'. Measurement techniques such as particle image velocimetry (PIV) will benefit from the new fast shutter when being used in bright environments. Using the optional third frame, advanced evaluation schemes can be implemented to measure acceleration, increase the dynamic range of the velocity measurements or reduce the number of false matches (ghost particles) in tomographic PIV or particle tracking. It will be shown that for double-frame applications this new shutter timing outperforms even the latest commercially available single-chip high-speed cameras.