New generation of photon counting cameras

We describe the current status of photon-counting cameras developed at Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur for ground-based interferometry. The development aims at improving both the time and spatial resolution of our detectors using fast intensified CCD chips, real-time pattern analysis techniques for super spatial resolution implemented on multi-DSP boards. The on-line processing includes a quick look-up of estimated interferometric visibilities in order to dynamically drive the interferometric parameters during the observations. Our cameras will be used in priority on the GI2T/REGAIN dual channel spectrograph which allows 'spectral bootstrapping', i.e. blind fringe acquisition in blue wavelengths, while tracking fringes in red wavelengths. The other applications concern adaptive optics coronography in the visible at Observatoire de Haute Provence and the SPID speckle-interferometric camera at Observatoire de Lyon.