Absolute intensity determination for a light source in low level light imaging systems

A method for imaging a light source at low intensity light levels in an imaging system including a camera and an imaging box, the method comprising:

• setting one or more image capture conditions in the imaging system;
• capturing low intensity light data from the light source using the camera,
• wherein the low intensity light data is in the range of about 103 to about 1010 photons/second/centimeter squared/steradian;
• and
• converting image data produced by the camera to absolute light data for the light source using a compensation factor that accommodates for differences between the light emitted from the sample and data output by the camera based on a set of imaging conditions.

An imaging system for capturing an image of a light source with a camera, the imaging system comprising:

• an imaging box having a set of walls enclosing an interior cavity;
• a camera mount configured to position the camera relative to a fixed datum on one of said walls for viewing of the light source by the camera;
• and
• a processor designed or configured to modify image data produced by the camera to absolute light data for the light source using a compensation factor based on a set of imaging conditions that accommodates for differences between the light emitted from the sample and data output by the camera,
• wherein the absolute light intensity data is in the range of about 103 to about 1010 photons/second/centimeter squared/steradian.

A computer readable medium including instructions for generating absolute light data for a light source being imaged at low intensity light levels, the instructions comprising:

• instructions for determining a compensation factor for converting relative intensity data output by a camera into absolute light data, the compensation factor corresponding to a set of imaging conditions;
• instructions for storing the compensation factor;
• instructions for calling the compensation factor based on the set of imaging conditions when the set of imaging conditions are used in imaging the light source;
• and
• instructions for modifying image data, output by the camera, by the compensation factor to obtain the absolute light intensity data for the light source,
• wherein the absolute light intensity data is in the range of about 103 to about 1010 photons/second/centimeter squared/steradian.