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Table of Contents
Related Manuals for Andor Technology iXon3 Series
Summary of Contents for Andor Technology iXon3 Series
- Page 1 Hardware Guide iXon3 www.andor.com © Andor Technology plc 2012...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
iXon 3 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS Page SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION TO IXON3 HARDWARE TECHNICAL SUPPORT Europe Asia-Pacific China COMPONENTS 1.2.1 Camera 1.2.2 Controller Cards 1.2.3 Controller Card Cables 1.2.4 Cooler Power Supply Block 1.2.5 Software SAFETY PRECAUTIONS & MAINTENANCE 1.3.1 Care of the camera 1.3.2... - Page 3 iXon 3 Table of Contents SECTION 1 (continued) Page 1.3.10 Dew Point graph 1.3.11 EM Gain ageing 1.3.12 Minimizing particulate contamination SECTION 2 - INSTALLATION INSTALLING THE HARDWARE 2.1.1 PC requirements CONNECTORS WATER PIPE CONNECTORS CONNECTING THE SYSTEM MOUNTING POSTS INSTALLING PCI/PCIe DRIVER - WINDOWS O/S (2000/XP/VISTA) 2.6.1 Installing Linux driver...
- Page 4 iXon 3 Table of Contents SECTION 3 (continued) Page 3.1.6 RealGainTM : Real and Linear gain 3.1.7 EM Gain Ageing: What causes it and how is it countered? 3.1.8 Gain & signal restrictions 3.1.9 EMCALTM COOLING 3.2.1 Cooling options 3.2.2 Fan settings SENSOR READOUT OPTIMIZATION 3.3.1...
- Page 5 iXon 3 Table of Contents SECTION 3 (continued) Page 3.4.3.1 Points to consider when using Fast Kinetics mode 3.4.4 Keep Clean Cycles TRIGGERING OPTIONS 3.5.1 Triggering options in Frame Transfer (FT) mode 3.5.1.1 Internal (FT) 3.5.1.2 External (FT) 3.5.1.3 External Exposure (FT) 3.5.2 Triggering options in Non-Frame Transfer (NFT) mode 3.5.2.1...
- Page 6 Does EMCCD technology eliminate Read Out Noise? 4.1.3 How sensitive are EMCCDs? 4.1.4 What applications are EMCCDs suitable for? 4.1.5 What is Andor Technology’s experience with EMCCDs? EMCCD SENSOR 4.3 - VACUUM HOUSING 4.3.1 Thermoelectric cooler OUTGASSING CONTROLLER CARD PINOUTS...
- Page 7 iXon 3 Table of Contents APPENDIX (continued) Page A1.1.10 Exposure Time A1.1.11 Frame Transfer A1.1.12 Noise A1.1.12.1 Pixel Noise A1.1.12.1.1 Readout Noise A1.1.12.2 Fixed Pattern Noise A1.1.13 Quantum Efficiency/Spectral Response A1.1.14 Readout A1.1.15 Saturation A1.1.16 Scans (Keep Clean & Acquired) A1.1.17 Shift Register A1.1.17...
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Page 8: Section 1 - Introduction To Ixon3 Hardware
1.1 - TECHNICAL SUPPORT If you have any questions regarding the use of this equipment, please contact the representative* from whom your system was purchased, or: Europe Andor Technology plc Andor Technology 7 Millennium Way 425 Sullivan Avenue Springvale Business Park... -
Page 9: Components
iXon 3 Introduction 1.2 - COMPONENTS The Andor iXon3 system comprises the following main items: • Detector head (hereinafter referred to as a Camera - see figure 1 below) • 2 off BNC - SMB cables • User manuals on CD • Software disk (SDK and/or Solis if ordered) • Andor Programmer guide to Andor Basic (if ordered) • Software Development Kit manual (if SDK ordered) • Camera specific performance booklet or sheet • ESD wrist strap. NOTE: This must be worn at all times when handling the PCI card •... -
Page 10: Controller Cards
iXon 3 Introduction 1.2.2 - Controller Cards Figure 2: CCD-22 Figure 3: CCD-23 Figure 4: CCD-24 The Controller cards (CCI-22, CCI-23 or CCI-24) buffer data from the camera, before transfer to the computer memory, via the PCI bus. The CCI-22 & CCI-23 require a PCI 2.2 slot; the CCI-24 requires a PCIe x1 slot. All boards are well shielded against electrical interference. -
Page 11: Cooler Power Supply Block
iXon 3 Introduction 1.2.4 - Cooler Power Supply Block The iXon3 system is designed to be powered from a PS-20 external Power Supply Block (PSB) which is used to supply power to the Thermoelectric cooler within the camera. The PSB requires an AC mains input between 90-264 V, 47-63 Hz and a maximum supply current of either 1A @ 115V or 0.5A @ 230V. -
Page 12: Safety Precautions & Maintenance
iXon 3 Introduction 1.3 - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS & MAINTENANCE 1.3.1 - Care of the camera WARNINGS: The camera is a precision scientific instrument containing fragile components. Always handle with the care necessary for such instruments. There are no user serviceable parts inside the camera. If the head is opened the warranty will be void. The camera should be mounted so that the mains supply can be easily disconnected. -
Page 13: Regular Checks
iXon 3 Introduction 1.3.3 - Regular checks The state of the product should be checked regularly, especially the following: • The integrity of the enclosure • Any water hoses used • The AC/DC External Power Supply • The mains cable NOTE: Do not use equipment that is damaged. 1.3.4 - Annual electrical safety checks It is advisable to check the integrity of the insulation and protective earth of the product on an annual basis, e.g. -
Page 14: Working With Electronics
iXon 3 Introduction 1.3.8 - Working with electronics The computer equipment that is to be used to operate the iXon3 should be fitted with appropriate surge/EMI/RFI protection on all power lines. Dedicated power lines or line isolation may be required for some extremely noisy sites. Appropriate static control procedures should be used during the installation of the system. Attention should be given to grounding. -
Page 15: Em Gain Ageing
iXon 3 Introduction 1.3.11 - EM Gain ageing It has been observed that some EMCCD sensors, more notably in cameras that incorporate L3Vision sensors from E2V, are susceptible to EM gain fall-off over a period of time. It is important to note that this ageing effect applies to any EMCCD camera manufacturer that incorporates L3Vision sensors into their cameras. -
Page 16: Section 2 - Installation
iXon 3 Installation SECTION 2 - INSTALLATION 2.1 - INSTALLING THE HARDWARE 2.1.1 - PC requirements The system requires a PCI/PCIe compatible computer (PCI 2.2 for CCI-22 & CCI-23 cards or PCIe for the CCI-23 controller cards shown on page 9) and the minimum recommended PC specifications are as follows: •... -
Page 17: Connectors
iXon 3 Installation 2.2 - CONNECTORS Figure 8: iXon3 connectors There are six connections points on the iXon3 as shown in figure 8 above. There are four industry-standard SmB (Sub miniature B) connectors, details as follows: • Fire (please refer to pages 51 - 63) •... -
Page 18: Water Pipe Connectors
iXon 3 Section Title 2.3 - WATER PIPE CONNECTORS Two connectors are fitted to the camera in order to allow water cooling pipes to be connected, e.g.: These can be connected to a water cooler or recirculator to improve cooling. 2.4 - CONNECTING THE SYSTEM Connect the elements of your system as follows: Wherever possible, plug your PC into the mains outlet to ensure grounding, but keep the power switched off. -
Page 19: Installing Pci/Pcie Driver - Windows O/S (2000/Xp/Vista)
Navigate to the Setup Information File (atmcd.inf). • Select the device driver file and click OK. • Restart the PC. This completes the device driver installation. The Andor Technology PCI driver should now be shown in the Device manager, e.g.: • 2.6.1 - Installing Linux driver The Andor PCI / PCIe controller card device driver is compiled from source and installed automatically during installation of the Andor Linux SDK using the install_andor script. -
Page 20: Section 3 - Features & Functionality
iXon 3 Features & Functionality SECTION 3 - FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY 3.1 - EMCCD OPERATION 3.1.1 - Structure of an EMCCD Advances in sensor technology have led to the development of a new generation of ultra-sensitive, low light Electron multiplying Charged Coupled Devices (EmCCDs). At the heart of your iXon3 camera is the latest EMCCD, a revolutionary technology, capable of single photon detection. - Page 21 iXon 3 Features & Functionality During an acquisition using a conventional Frame Transfer CCD (FT CCD), the image area is exposed to light and an image is captured. This image in the form of an electronic charge is then automatically shifted downwards behind the masked region of the chip before being read out.
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Page 22: Em Gain & Read Noise
Read noise has therefore been the major limiting factor for low light level detection in CCDs for many years until the introduction of EMCCD cameras by Andor Technology in 2000. By applying EM gain, a weak signal that would otherwise be indistinguishable from the read noise can be amplified above the read noise level and thus be read out as a useful signal. -
Page 23: Multiplicative Noise Factor & Photon Counting
iXon 3 Features & Functionality Figure 14 below shows S/N plots derived from the specifications of the back-illuminated iXon3 EMCCDs at 1MHz (slower frame rate operation), read out either with EM Gain ON or alternatively through the conventional amplifier (i.e. standard CCD operation). Again, this plot assumes a photon wavelength at which the QE of the sensor is 90%. Specifically this figure applies to 897 and 888 models where the user has the choice of either EMCCD or conventional amplifiers. -
Page 24: Em Gain Dependence And Stability
iXon 3 Features & Functionality Indeed, multiplicative noise can be thought to contribute directly to the overall shot noise, in that one should multiply the Shot Noise by the Noise Factor when calculating overall noise. Simply put, multiplicative noise does not in any way reduce the average signal intensity or reduce the number of photons that are detected, it simply increases the degree of variation of the signal around the mean value, in addition to the variation that already exists from the shot noise (variation from pixel to pixel or from frame to frame). -
Page 25: Realgaintm : Real And Linear Gain
iXon 3 Features & Functionality Figure 17 shows how the EM gain varies with temperature, this dependence arising primarily from photon scattering of electrons when they are accelerating in the EM electric field. The scattering causes a loss of energy, which increases with temperature. -
Page 26: Em Gain Ageing: What Causes It And How Is It Countered
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.1.7 - EM Gain Ageing: What causes it and how is it countered? As already noted in the discussion on safe camera operation in Section 2, EMCCD sensors can suffer from EM gain ageing. This is the phenomenon whereby the EM gain falls off over a period of time when operating at the same clock voltage and cooling temperature. -
Page 27: Emcaltm
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.1.9 - EMCALTM Andor have developed, in the iXon3, a unique and patented method of user-initiated Em gain self recalibration - EmCALTm. This is available only in iXon3 cameras that contain L3 vision sensors from E2V, i.e. 897 and 888 models. The 885 range of iXon3 cameras contain sensors from Texas Instruments that show negligible levels of gain ageing, and thus the EMCALTM function is not required. -
Page 28: Cooling Options
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.2.1 - Cooling options The heat that builds up on the heat sink must be removed and this can be achieved in one of the two following ways: Air cooling: a small built-in fan forces air over the heat sink Water cooling: external water is circulated through the heat sink using the water connectors on the head and this can take one of the following forms: •... -
Page 29: Sensor Preamp Options
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.3.1 - Sensor PreAmp options An EMCCD sensor can have a much larger dynamic range than can be faithfully reproduced with the Analogue/Digital converters and signal processing circuitry currently available on the market today. To overcome this shortcoming and access the range of signals from the smallest to the largest and to optimize the camera performance it is necessary to allow different pre-amplifier gain settings. -
Page 30: Variable Horizontal Readout Rate
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.3.2 - Variable Horizontal Readout Rate The Horizontal Readout Rate defines the rate at which pixels are read from the shift register. The faster the horizontal readout rate the higher the frame rate that can be achieved. The ability to change the pixel readout speed is important to achieve the maximum flexibility of camera operation, particularly in terms of dynamic range. Slower readout typically allows lower read noise and higher available dynamic range, but at the expense of slower frame rates. -
Page 31: Output Amplifier Selection
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.3.4 - Output amplifier selection A number of the EMCCD sensors in the iXon3 range have dual output amplifiers, an electron multiplying output amplifier and a conventional output amplifier. This increases the versatility of the camera as the EM amplifier can be selected for fast imaging in low light conditions whilst the conventional amplifier can be selected where more light is available and a slower readout with its associated lower read noise and higher dynamic range is preferred. -
Page 32: Baseline Clamp
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.3.5.2 - Baseline Clamp When acquiring data small changes in the ambient temperature and/or in the heat generation of the driving electronics within the camera may cause some drift in the baseline level. This is most often observed during long kinetic series. Any drift in the baseline level can be corrected by using the Baseline Clamp option. Baseline Clamp corrects each individual image for any baseline drift by subtracting an average bias signal from each image pixel and then adding 100 counts to ensure that the displayed signal level is always a positive number of counts. - Page 33 iXon 3 Features & Functionality Figure 21: Vertical & Horizontal binning of two rows Step 1 Charge is built up on the sensor Step 2 Charge in the frame is shifted vertically by one row, so that the bottom row of charge moves down into the shift register. Charge in the frame is shifted vertically by a further row, so that the next row of charge moves down into the shift register, which now Step 3 contains charge from two rows - i.e.
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Page 34: Acquisition Options
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.4 - ACQUISITION OPTIONS 3.4.1 - Capture Sequence in Frame Transfer Mode A number of acquisition modes are available for the iXon3 range to best suit your experimental demands. In Frame Transfer (FT) acquisition mode, the iXon3 can deliver its fastest performance whilst maintaining optimal Signal to Noise. It achieves this through simultaneously acquiring an image onto the image area whilst reading out the previous image from the masked frame storage area. -
Page 35: Points To Consider When Using Ft Mode
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.4.1.1 - Points to consider when using FT Mode • In this mode, there are no keep cleans between images during an accumulation or kinetics series as they are not necessary • This mode gives the fastest way to continually take images; however, the minimum exposure time is restricted to the time taken to read-out the image from the Storage area. • The accumulation cycle time and the kinetic cycle time are fully dependent on the exposure time and hence cannot be set via software. • In external trigger mode there are no keep cleans and the External trigger starts the “read out” phase. The exposure time is the time between external triggers and hence the user cannot set the exposure or cycle times. -
Page 36: Capture Sequence In Non-Frame Transfer Mode With An Ft Ccd
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.4.2 - Capture Sequence in Non-Frame Transfer Mode with an FT CCD It is also possible to operate an FT CCD in a Non-Frame Transfer (NFT) mode. In this mode of operation, an FT CCD acts much like a standard CCD. -
Page 37: Points To Note About Using An Ft Ccd As A Standard Ccd
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.4.2.1 - Points to note about using an FT CCD as a standard CCD • The exposure time, accumulation cycle time and the kinetic cycle time are independent. • The minimum exposure time is not related to the time taken to readout the image. • External trigger operates as if the CCD was an NFT CCD. • As the captured image is quickly shifted into the Storage area, even in NFT mode, the system can still be used without a mechanical shutter. • For short exposure times the image may appear streaked as the time taken to shift the Image area into the Storage area and the exposure time may be of similar magnitude, but much less than a ral non-frame transfer. •... -
Page 38: Capture Sequence For Fast Kinetics With An Ft Ccd
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.4.3 - Capture Sequence for Fast Kinetics with an FT CCD Fast Kinetics (FK) is a special readout mode that uses the actual CCD as a temporary storage medium and allows an extremely fast sequence of images to be captured. The capture sequence is illustrated here: Figure 24: Capture sequence (Fast Kinetics mode) -
Page 39: Keep Clean Cycles
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.4.4 - Keep Clean Cycles iXon3 cameras have a range of different Keep Clean Cycles that are run depending on the actual model and the state the camera is in. The first keep clean cycle to be discussed is the one that runs while the camera is in an idle state, i.e. waiting for the PC to tell it to start an acquisition sequence. - Page 40 iXon 3 Features & Functionality The second type of keep clean is executed between individual scans in a kinetic series, and is relevant to Non-Frame Transfer Mode combined with either Internal or Software Trigger. It is called the Internal Keep Clean Cycle. When the user configures a kinetics series acquisition as well as defining the exposure time and the readout mode, they also define the number of scans to capture and the time between the scans.
- Page 41 iXon 3 Features & Functionality The third keep clean is the External Keep Clean Cycle. This cycle uses a different sequence of horizontal and vertical clocking as it must be able to respond to external events extremely rapidly, but at the same time keep the Image area of the sensor charge free.
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Page 42: Triggering Options
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.5 - TRIGGERING OPTIONS The iXon3 range of cameras have several different triggering modes. These include Internal, External (and Fast External), External Start, External Exposure and Software Trigger. It should be noted that not all the triggering options are available on all cameras. -
Page 43: Triggering Options In Frame Transfer (Ft) Mode
iXon 3 Section Title 3.5.1 - Triggering options in Frame Transfer (FT) mode 3.5.1.1 - Internal (FT) This is the simplest mode of operation in that the camera determines when the exposure happens. By monitoring the FIRE output the user can determine exactly when the camera is “exposing”. When the camera is idle, it is running the Idle Keep Clean Cycle described previously. On receipt of the Start command from the PC, the camera will complete the current keep clean cycle and then perform sufficient vertical shifts to ensure that the Image and Storage regions are completely free of charge. -
Page 44: External (Ft)
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.5.1.2 - External (FT) When the camera is idle, it is running the Idle Keep Clean Cycle described previously. On receipt of the Start command from the PC the camera goes into its External Keep Clean Cycle. This cycle consists of one vertical followed by one horizontal shift, repeated continuously. - Page 45 iXon 3 Features & Functionality Since all X3 cameras have iCam technology, the rising edge of the external trigger can occur before the end of the previous read out provided that the falling edge of the Fire pulse occurs after the readout has completed, i.e. the external trigger is only accepted up to the “user defined delay period” before the end of the readout. This enhanced trigger mode will result in a higher frame rate (see figure 30 below): Figure 30: ‘iCam-enhanced’...
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Page 46: External Exposure (Ft)
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.5.1.3 - External Exposure (FT) External Exposure combined with Frame Transfer readout is available only on iXon+ 885 cameras. It is not available for other iXon3 models, since this mode requires an 885 Global Clear function (please see page 57). This mode is distinct from the triggering modes discussed previously in that the exposure period is fully controlled by the width of the external trigger pulse. -
Page 47: Triggering Options In Non-Frame Transfer (Nft) Mode
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.5.2 - Triggering options in Non-Frame Transfer (NFT) mode 3.5.2.1 - Internal (NFT) When the camera is idle, i.e. not actively capturing images, it is repeatedly running the Idle Keep Clean Cycle. When the Start command is received from the PC, the camera will complete the current keep clean cycle and then perform sufficient vertical shifts to ensure the Image and Storage regions are completely free of charge. -
Page 48: External & Fast External (Nft)
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.5.2.2 - External & Fast External (NFT) In External Trigger modes once an acquisition has been started, the camera is placed into the special clearing cycle called “External Trigger Keep Clean’ which was discussed previously. As can be seen from the figure below the external keep clean cycle runs continuously until the first external trigger event is detected at which point the current cycle series will complete before the exposure phase starts. - Page 49 iXon 3 Features & Functionality For the 885 range of cameras, the Global Clear functionality is used to keep the image area free of charge prior to the external trigger pulse. This reduces the pre-trigger image smear which might be seen on other frame transfer sensors. Also, due to the ‘iCam’...
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Page 50: External Exposure (Nft)
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.5.2.3 - External Exposure (NFT) External Exposure combined with Non-Frame Transfer readout is available to all iXon3 cameras. This mode is distinct from the triggering modes discussed previously in that the exposure period is fully controlled by the width of the external trigger pulse. -
Page 51: Software Trigger (Nft)
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.5.2.4 - Software trigger (NFT) This mode is particularly useful when the user needs to control other equipment between each exposure and does not know in advance how long such control will take or if the time taken changes randomly. With Software Trigger the camera and software are in a high state of readiness and can react extremely quickly to a trigger event issued via software. -
Page 52: Trigger Options In Fast Kinetics (Fk) Mode
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.5.3 - Trigger options in Fast Kinetics (FK) mode 3.5.3.1 - Internal (FK) As Fast Kinetics uses both the Image and Storage areas as temporary storage areas the number of options available is quite limited. The simplest mode is again Internal Trigger and as with the internal trigger modes described previously the system determines when the acquisition begins and then uses the exposure time defined by the user. On completion of the exposure period the cameras performs the number of vertical shifts defined by the user and then again waits for the exposure period before the next set of vertical shifts. -
Page 53: External (Fk)
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.5.3.2 - External (FK) In External Trigger mode, a trigger pulse is required to start each scan in the series. The rising edge of the trigger defines the trigger event. The user can delay the start of the vertical shifting relative to the trigger event. After the delay has elapsed, the number of rows (as specified by the user) are vertically shifted. -
Page 54: External Start (Fk)
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.5.3.3 - External Start (FK) External Start trigger mode is a combination of external and internal trigger. At the start of the capture process the camera is running the external keep clean cycle waiting of a trigger pulse to be applied to the External Trigger input. On receiving the trigger the exposure starts. The exposure period is defined by the user. On completion of the exposure period, the camera performs the number of vertical shifts, defined by the sub-area height (set by the user) and then again, wait for the exposure period before the next set of vertical shifts. -
Page 55: Count Convert
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.7 - COUNT CONVERT One of the distinctive features of the iXon3 is the capability to quantitatively capture and present data in units of electrons or photons, the conversion applied either in real time or as a post-conversion step. Photons that are incident on pixels of an array detector are captured and converted to electrons. During a given exposure time, the signal in electrons that is collected in each pixel is proportional to the signal intensity. -
Page 56: Optacquire
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.8 - OptAcquire OptAcquire is a unique control interface, whereby a user can conveniently choose from a pre-determined list of set- up configurations, each designed to optimise the camera for different experimental acquisition types, thus removing complexity from the extremely adaptable control architecture of the iXon3. The control architecture of the iXon3 is extremely tuneable, meaning the camera can be adapted and optimized for a wide variety of quantitative experimental requirements, ranging from fast single photon counting through to slower scan, 16-bit dynamic range measurements. -
Page 57: Optacquire Modes
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.8.1 - OptAcquire modes Pre-defined OptAcquire modes include: Optimized for capturing weak signal at fast frame rates, with single Sensitivity & Speed (Em Amplifier) photon sensitivity. Suited to the majority of EMCCD applications. Dynamic Range & Speed Configured to deliver optimal dynamic range at fast frame rates. (Em Amplifier) Moderate EM gain applied. -
Page 58: Pushing Frame Rates With Cropped Sensor Mode
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.9 - PUSHING FRAME RATES WITH CROPPED SENSOR MODE The iXon3 offers Cropped Sensor Mode, which carries the following advantages: • Specialized readout mode for achieving very fast frame rates (sub-millisecond exposures) from ‘standard’ cameras. • Continuous rapid spooling of images/spectra to hard disk. • User selectable cropped sensor size – highly intuitive software definition. • The iXon3 is now available with the complementary OptoMask accessory, which can be used to shield the region of the sensor outside of the cropped area. If an experiment demands fast temporal resolution, but cannot be constrained by the maximum storage size of the sensor (as is the case for ‘Fast Kinetics Mode’... -
Page 59: Cropped Sensor Mode Frame Rates
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.9.1 - Cropped Sensor Mode Frame Rates In biological imaging Cropped Sensor Mode can be successfully used to enhance performance and throughput in super- resolution ‘nanoscopic’ applications including STORM and PALMIRA. Imaging frame rates exceeding 1000/s can be achieved with sufficiently small crop area. Series of measurements done on Andor iXon3 885 EMCCD camera have demonstrated that Cropped Sensor Mode in conjunction with binning has pushed the speed beyond 4000 frames per second. -
Page 60: Advanced Photon Counting In Emccds
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.10 - ADVANCED PHOTON COUNTING IN EMCCDs Photon Counting in EMCCDs is a way to overcome the multiplicative noise associated with the amplification process, thereby increasing the signal to noise ratio by a factor of root 2 (and doubling the effective quantum efficiency of the EMCCD). Only EMCCDs with low noise floor can perform photon counting. The approach can be further enhanced through innovative ways to post process kinetic data. - Page 61 iXon 3 Features & Functionality To successfully photon count with EMCCDs, there has to be a significantly higher probability of seeing a ‘photon spike’ than seeing a dark current/CIC ‘noise spike’. The lower the contribution of this ‘spurious’ noise source to a single exposure within the accumulated series, the lower the detection limit of photon counting and the cleaner the overall image will be, as demonstrated in Figure 43 below: Figure 42: ‘Photon Counting’...
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Page 62: Photon Counting By Post-Processing
iXon 3 Features & Functionality 3.10.1 - Photon Counting by Post-Processing As a post-processing analysis, the user holds the flexibility to ‘trial and error’ photon count a pre-recorded kinetic series, trading-off temporal resolution vs SNR by choosing how many images should contribute to each photon counted accumulated image. For example, a series of 1000 images could be broken down into groups of 20 photon counted images, yielding 50 time points. - Page 63 iXon 3 Section Title Page 62...
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Page 64: Section 4 - Hardware
EMCCD technology, sometimes known as “on-chip multiplication”, is an innovation first introduced to the digital scientific imaging community by Andor Technology in 2000, with the launch of our dedicated, high-end iXon platform of ultra-sensitive cameras. Essentially, the EMCCD is an image sensor that is capable of detecting single photon events without an image intensifier, achievable by way of a unique electron multiplying structure built into the chip. -
Page 65: What Applications Are Emccds Suitable For
4.1.5 - What is Andor Technology’s experience with EMCCDs? Andor Technology was the first company to introduce an EMCCD based detector in 2000. Since then the company has led the way in the development of EMCCD detectors, introducing the first back illuminated EMCCD in January 2003. -
Page 66: Vacuum Housing
iXon 3 Hardware Slow scan CCD’s have relatively low bandwidth and hence can only be read out at modest speeds typically less than 1MHz. EMCCD cameras avoid this constraint by amplifying the charge signal before the charge amplifier and hence maintain unprecedented sensitivity at high speeds. -
Page 67: Thermoelectric Cooler
The iXon3 is expertly designed to yield maximum heat dissipation, via either forced air cooling (in-built fan) or water cooling, which in combination with Andor’s UltraVacTM vacuum process, results in market-leading cooling performance. A recirculator or a chiller can be purchased from Andor Technology to provide convenient and effective heat dissipation through water cooling. -
Page 68: Controller Card Pinouts
iXon 3 Hardware 4.5 - CONTROLLER CARD PINOUTS WARNING: Pins 11, 12 & 13 are reserved. These pins are NOT available for auxiliary use. DO NOT make electrical connections to these pin locations when attaching external devices via the Controller Card Auxiliary Connector Port. -
Page 69: Smb Signal Diagrams
iXon 3 Hardware 4.6 - SMB SIGNAL DIAGRAMS Figure 45: External Trigger SMB Figure 46: Fire SMB & Shutter SMB Page 68... -
Page 70: Appendix
iXon 3 Appendix APPENDIX A1.1.- GLOSSARY If this is the first time you have used Andor’s EMCCD, the glossary that follows will help familiarize you with its design philosophy and some of its key terminology. A1.1.1 - Readout sequence of an EMCCD In the course of readout, charge is moved vertically into the shift register then horizontally from the shift register into the output node of the amplifier. -
Page 71: A1.1.2 Accumulation
iXon 3 Appendix A1.1.2 - Accumulation Accumulation is the process by which data that have been acquired from a number of similar scans are added together in computer memory. This results in improved signal to noise ratio. A1.1.3 - Acquisition An Acquisition is taken to be the complete data capture process. -
Page 72: A1.1.9 Detection Limit
iXon 3 Appendix A1.1.9 - Detection Limit The Detection Limit is a measure of the smallest signal that can be detected in a single readout. The smallest signal is defined as the signal whose level is equal to the noise accompanying that signal, i.e. a Signal to Noise ratio (S/N) of unity. Sources of noise are as follows: • Shot noise of the signal itself • Shot noise of any dark signal •... -
Page 73: A1.1.12 Noise
iXon 3 Appendix A1.1.12 - Noise Noise is a complex topic, the full exploration of which is beyond the scope of this glossary. However noise may be broken down into two broad categories, as follows: Pixel Noise Fixed Pattern Noise A1.1.12.1 - Pixel Noise Let us first attempt to define pixel noise. -
Page 74: A1.1.13 Quantum Efficiency/Spectral Response
iXon 3 Appendix A1.1.13 - Quantum Efficiency/Spectral Response The glossary refers to signals as a number of electrons. More strictly speaking these are “photoelectrons”, created when a photon is absorbed. When a UV or visible photon is absorbed by the detector it can at best produce only one photoelectron. Photons of different wavelengths have different probabilities of producing a photoelectron and this probability is usually expressed as quantum Efficiency (qE) or Spectral Response. -
Page 75: A1.1.17 Shot Noise
iXon 3 Appendix A1.1.17 - Shot Noise Shot Noise is due to basic physical laws and cannot be removed. Any signal, whether it is a dark signal or a light signal, will have shot noise associated with it. Most simply defined: If the signal or dark signal = N electrons, the shot noise is the square root of N. -
Page 76: A1.2 Mechanical Dimensions
iXon 3 Appendix A1.2 - MECHANICAL DIMENSIONS Figure 47: Dimensions of 860, 885 & 897 models Figure 48: Dimensions of 888 mode Page 75... -
Page 77: A1.3 Declaration Of Conformity
iXon 3 Appendix A1.3 - DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY ... - Page 78 iXon 3 Appendix ≤ Page 77...
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Page 79: A1.4 Terms & Conditions
‘GOODS’ means the goods (including any instalment of the goods or any parts for them) which the Seller is to supply in accordance with these Conditions. ‘SELLER’ means Andor Technology plc. ‘CONDITIONS’ means the standard terms and conditions of sale set out in this document and (unless the context otherwise requires) includes any special terms and conditions agreed in writing between the Buyer and Seller. - Page 80 iXon 3 Appendix 1.2.2 The following hardware components have warranties greater than 12 months: Vacuum Warranty: Andor provides a 7 Year warranty on its UltraVacTM seal for iXon3 cameras. The UltraVacTM seal provides a permanent hermetic vacuum head, which protects the CCD sensor. Should the vacuum fail during the warranty period Andor will repair the vacuum and the components protected by it (including the CCD sensor).
- Page 81 iXon 3 Appendix 1.3.2 In order to be eligible for warranty repair or replacement, the equipment must be suffering a defect which meets the criteria set out in the supply contract and must be within its specified warranty period. Services such as upgrades to Hardware and Software are excluded from the scope of this service description and should be ordered separately.
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Page 82: A1.6 The Waste Electronic And Electrical Equipment Regulations 2006 (Weee)
iXon 3 Appendix 1.6.1 During Warranty Customers have access to the Service Desk at www.andor.com/contact_us/support_request to report product defects. A Customer who has purchased their product via a reseller or third party and who believes they have a software warranty defect should in the first instance contact a representative of their seller’s product support team.
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