WG 2 – Detection system performance

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WG 2 – Objectives

WG2 focuses on the detection system, comprising the detection path and its detector(s), and how it measures the signal from the sample.

Members of WG2 aim to standardize the characterization of the detection system performance and create standard procedures for monitoring it over time, thereby revealing performance issues that could affect data reproducibility. Therefore, WG2 will define universal, externally measurable parameters applicable to any type of detector (e.g., photons, linearity, noise), together with measurement tools and protocols for measuring these parameters from common detector types. These universal parameters will be specified according to each distinct type of detector’s internal parameters, which have already been defined by the community. They will enable the evaluation and comparison of different detection systems, thus pinpointing the most suitable technology for given applications.

WG 2 – Co-Chairs

WG 2 - Latest News

 

Upcoming meeting: 9th February 2026, 5:00 pm
Last meeting: 12th January 2026, 5:00 pm

  1. Subgroup: Area detector
    • Aims: Establish protocols for characterization of detection systems with an area detector.
    • Co-leads: Britta Schroth, David McFadden
    • Contact information: schroth@mpi-cbg.de
    • On-going tasks: 
      • Move measurement protocol to protocols.io
      • Test measurement protocol with marker pen as sample
      • Evaluate measurement and analysis parameters written down in Airtable
    • Cloud storage location (can be accessed as a member) → here
  2. Subgroup: Point detector
    • Aims: Establish protocols for characterization of detection systems with a point detector.
    • Co-leads: Gert-Jan Bakker, Andre Zeug
    • Contact information: gert-jan.bakker@radboudumc.nl
    • On-going tasks: 
      • Insert measurement protocol to protocols.io
      • Generate comments and hints for protocol
      • Evaluate measurement and analysis parameters written down in Airtable
    • Cloud storage location (can be accessed as a member) → here
  3. Subgroup: Test sample
    • Aims: investigate and define standardized samples for characterization of detection systems.
    • Co-leads: Valeria Berno, David McFadden
    • Contact information: berno.valeria@hsr.it
    • On-going tasks: 
      • Test and characterize standardized light sources for characterization of microscope’s detection systems.
    • Cloud storage location (can be accessed as a member) → here
  4.  

19th meeting, 9th of May 2022

Meeting date

19/05/2022 @ 5:00 PM (CET/CEST)

Meeting documentation

18th meeting, 11th of April 2022

Meeting date

11/04/2022 @ 5:00 PM (CET/CEST)

Meeting summary

At the beginning of our 18th meeting, we talked about a few organisational matters and shared general QUAREP-LiMi news: the next general assembly will take place May 25th 2022, 4-6PM CEST. This was followed by reports from the the last two WG2 & WG7 camera glossary meetings. The main topic for both meetings was what defines a colour camera. It was reported that that joined discussion group also needs input from WG2 about what we require the model to deliver. The ensuing discussion pointed out: commonly used glossary and definitions, to be used in methods sections, for spec sheets, TIER level needed with minimal specs required and additional specs available upon request. The APE Quantiflash test samples will be shipped to their first testes soon. The transfer of our data collection to Airtable is under way. More infos to both topics will come in the next meeting. Last but not least, we discussed the next steps towards finalising the first part of our protocols and moving them to protocol.io following the example and experience of WG1. Until the next meeting, each subgroup will look at their respective protocol draft, go over the text and identify open questions. We agreed to finalise the structure with a general introduction and branching or similar feature for the AD and PD protocols. The aim is to have a teaser ready for ELMI, publish the protocol in autumn. To be able to do so, we need to have more people test the protocols, measurement and analysis.

Meeting documentation

17th meeting, 14th of March 2022

Meeting date

14/03/2022 @ 5:00 PM (CET/CEST)

Meeting documentation

16th meeting, 14th of February 2022

Meeting documentation

15th meeting, 10th of January 2022

Meeting documentation

14th meeting, 13th of December 2021

Meeting documentation

13th meeting, 8th of November 2021

Meeting documentation

12th meeting, 11th of October 2021

Meeting summary

One of the main topics of our meeting was to prepare for the joint meeting with WG7 on establishing standardized vocabulary for describing cameras. The idea for this meeting is to bring together camera manufacturers, microscope companies, and users to agree upon the vocabulary. In addition, we have to test and finalize both, our measurement and the analysis protocols, by generating more data for determination of the photo-conversion factor (PCF) and background. For that we agreed to use a de-focused Chroma slide edge as main test sample for now. Last, we discussed how to get more members actively involved and keep the active ones motivated.

Meeting documentation

11th meeting, 13th of September 2021

Meeting summary

This was the first meeting after the summer break. Therefore we mainly did a status update of the current standing of WG2 and our 4 subgroups (area detector, point detector, analysis, test samples). Mainly, first data sets were collected using the first versions of our measurement protocols. Also, we have a first version of a stand-alone analysis program for retrieving of the photon-conversion factor and dark noise contribution. We discussed the documentation and organization of the data and meta data collected, how to improve it, and how to interact with the MetaDataApp.

Meeting documentation

10th meeting, 12th of July 2021

Meeting documentation

Memberlist WG 2