OSI BCAMs

Introduction

[06-MAR-24] The Boston CCD Angle Monitor (BCAM) is an optical metrology instrument designed to measure the position and movement of objects in large experiments. Its design and all associated data acquisition hardware and software are open-source. You will find links to drawings, schematics, reports, and manuals at the BCAM Home Page. The BCAM was developed and manufactured by the Brandeis University High Energy Physics (BNDHEP) Department in the years 1999-2021 with funding from the United States Department of Energy.

Figure: A Black H-BCAM. We see the front camera lens in a brass holder. On either side are two laser diodes, both turned on for photo. Above and below the lense are the four white LEDs, turned off for the photo. The metalized serial number label is on the lid. The laser safety label is on the other side wall, as shown in this view.

Open Source Instruments (OSI) began manufacturing BCAMs for HEP experiments in 2004. We designed and built the H-BCAM in 2012. The H-BCAM was the first BCAM to use the ICX424AL image sensor. Prior BCAMs used the smaller TC255P. OSI no longer manufactures the original A-BCAM (Azimuthal BCAM, BNDHEP design for ATLAS) and P-BCAM (Polar BCAM, BNDHEP design for ATLAS). The TC255P image sensor used by these devices is no longer available. The newer N-BCAM (New Small Wheel BCAM, BNDHEP design for ATLAS), D-BCAM (Double-Ended BCAM, BNDHEP design for ATLAS), and H-BCAM (OSI design for CERN) are in production so long as we still have reserves of the ICX424AL image sensor used by their cameras. Thereafter we will design new BCAMs around the newer sCMOS image sensors that are ready to provide the linearity and precision required for 5-μrad tracking of point sources.

Versions

[07-MAR-23] In the figures below, we present the varieties of BCAM currently in production at Open Source Instruments Inc. We do not keep these devices on the shelf in any significant quantity, so when you order them, delivery will be roughly twelve weeks. For prices, see our Price List.

	Black N-BCAM A Boston CCD Angle Monitor (BCAM) A Long-Wire Data Acquisition (LWDAQ) Device. Provides a camera with ICX424 image sensor. Provides two red laser diode light sources. Contains a Black N-BCAM Head (A2083A). Contains one Black N-BCAM Side Head (A2074C)
	Blue N-BCAM A Boston CCD Angle Monitor (BCAM) A Long-Wire Data Acquisition (LWDAQ) Device. Provides a camera with ICX424 image sensor. Provides two red laser diode light sources. Contains a Blue N-BCAM Head (A2083B). Contains one Blue N-BCAM Side Head (A2074D)
	Black D-BCAM, Front View A Boston CCD Angle Monitor (BCAM) A Long-Wire Data Acquisition (LWDAQ) Device. Provides two cameras with ICX424 image sensors. Provides four red laser diode light sources. Contains a Black D-BCAM Head (A2086A). Contains two Black D-BCAM Side Heads (A2074E)
	Black D-BCAM, Rear View A Boston CCD Angle Monitor (BCAM) A Long-Wire Data Acquisition (LWDAQ) Device. Provides two cameras with ICX424 image sensors. Provides four red laser diode light sources. Contains a Black D-BCAM Head (A2086A). Contains two Black D-BCAM Side Heads (A2074E)
	Blue D-BCAM, Front View A Boston CCD Angle Monitor (BCAM) A Long-Wire Data Acquisition (LWDAQ) Device. Provides two cameras with ICX424 image sensors. Provides four red laser diode light sources. Contains a Blue D-BCAM Head (A2086B). Contains two Blue D-BCAM Side Heads (A2074F)
	Blue H-BCAM, Front and Left Side A Boston CCD Angle Monitor (BCAM) A Long-Wire Data Acquisition (LWDAQ) Device. Provides two cameras with ICX424 image sensors. Provides four red laser diode light sources. Contains a Blue H-BCAM Head (A3025B). Contains two Blue D-BCAM Side Heads (A3026R) First BCAM with ICX424, deployed in HIE-ISOLDE.
	Black H-BCAM, Front and Right Side A Boston CCD Angle Monitor (BCAM) A Long-Wire Data Acquisition (LWDAQ) Device. Provides two cameras with ICX424 image sensors. Provides four red laser diode light sources. Contains a Black H-BCAM Head (A3025A). Contains two Black D-BCAM Side Heads (A3026L) First BCAM with ICX424, deployed in HIE-ISOLDE.

Links

[07-MAR-23] More information about BCAMs at the links below.

BCAM Home Page: The BCAM home page with links to manual, drawings, and databases.

H-BCAM Home Page: A page dedicated to the H-BCAM.

SRF Alignment: H-BCAMs used to monitor movements of superconducting radio-frequency cavities while they are cooled down (2019).

HIE-ISOLD Alignment: An optical survey device for the HIE-ISOLDE accelerator at CERN. Uses H-BCAMs (2014).

Space Frame Monitor (SFM): A system of optical instruments to monitor deformations of the ALICE barrel support structure. Uses A-BCAMs (2005).

Geometric Monitoring System (GMS): A system of optical instruments to monitor deformations of the ALICE end-cap muon detector (2005).