Oxford Instruments Andor Neo 5.5 sCMOS Hardware Manual
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Oxford Instruments Andor Neo 5.5 sCMOS Hardware Manual

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Neo 5.5 sCMOS
Version 1.7 rev 22 May 2017
Hardware Guide
andor.com
© Andor Technology 2017

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Summary of Contents for Oxford Instruments Andor Neo 5.5 sCMOS

  • Page 1 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Version 1.7 rev 22 May 2017 Hardware Guide andor.com © Andor Technology 2017...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Table of Contents Page SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION ....................... 9 ...................... 10 elp and ecHnical upporT ..........................11 iSclaimer ................... 11 rademarkS and aTenT nformaTion ..........................12 pecificaTionS ..........................13 omponenTS 1.5.1 ....................13 pTional cceSSorieS (pSu) ......................14 ower upply .......................
  • Page 3 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Table of Contents ....................31 enSor eadouT pTimizaTion 2.6.1 ....................31 Hannel onTrol 2.6.2 ....................32 ixel eadouT 2.6.3 roi S ......................32 image ......................... 33 rigger odeS 2.7.1 TTl S ........ 34 ofTware cquiSiTion venTS and nHanced ignalling 2.7.1.1 e...
  • Page 4 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Table of Contents SECTION 3: INSTALLATION ....................... 60 ....................... 60 afeTy onSideraTionS ........................ 60 ounTing THe amera ....................60 inimum ompuTer equiremenTS ................. 60 nSTalling oliS and amera riverS ................62 amera onTroller nSTallaTion 3.5.1 ................63 nSTalling THe amera river...
  • Page 5 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Table of Contents SECTION 6: TROUBLESHOOTING ....................70 ................70 amera uzzer doeS noT ound on TarT pc ....................70 amera iS noT ecognized by ....................70 uzzer oundS onTinuouSly ....................70 an noT peraTing aS xpecTed ..............
  • Page 6 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Table of Contents appendix a.1: mecHanical drawingS (neo wiTH c-mounT) ..........72 appendix a.2: mecHanical drawingS (neo wiTH f-mounT) ..........73 appendix b: dew poinT grapH ....................74 appendix c.1: waSTe elecTronic and elecTrical equipmenT regulaTionS 2006 (weee) ............................75 appendix c.2 TermS and condiTionS of Sale and warranTy informaTion ....
  • Page 7 Neo 5.5 sCMOS evision istoRy Version Released Description 05 Oct 2011 Initial Release 26 Jul 2013 General enhancements to presentation (all Sections). Text revised to improve clarity of information (all Sections. Neo Components revised to show standard supplied components more clearly (Section 1.5) Additional accessories revised to match current options available (Section 1.5.1) Updated timing diagrams and tables for Rolling and Global Shutter Modes (Section 2) 09 Oct 2013...
  • Page 8 2. Before using the system, please follow and adhere to all warnings, safety, manual handling and operating instructions located either on the product or in this User Guide. 3. Andor Neo 5.5 sCMOS is a precision scientific instrument containing fragile components. Always handle with care.

  • Page 9: Section 1: Introduction

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Introduction SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION Thank you for choosing the Neo 5.5 Scientific CMOS (sCMOS) camera. You are now in possession of a revolutionary new sCMOS camera, a breakthrough technology based on the next-generation CMOS image sensor (CIS) design and fabrication techniques.

  • Page 10: H Elp And T Echnical S Upport

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Introduction 1.1 H elp and ecHnical upporT 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 Andor Technology 7 Millennium Way 425 Sullivan Avenue Springvale Business Park Suite # 3...

  • Page 11: D Isclaimer

    Andor, the Andor logo, Neo and Solis are trademarks of Andor Technology. Andor is an Oxford Instruments company. All other marks are property of their owners. Changes are periodically made to the product and these will be incorporated into new editions of the manual. New releases of the manual are available through MyAndor: http://my.andor.com/login.aspx.

  • Page 12: S Pecifications

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Introduction 1.4 S pecificaTionS 1: s CMos C able peCiFiCations oF tHe aMeRa arameTer pecificaTion Power Supply Ratings 100 - 240 VAC (± 5%), 50 - 60 Hz (± 5%) Camera only (typ./max): 30W/60W Power Consumption Camera & Ext. PSU (typ./max): 34W/71W Low Voltage Output: 12 V DC.

  • Page 13: C Omponents

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Introduction 1.5 c omponenTS The standard components of the Andor Neo 5.5 system are as follows: 2: s able tandaRd upplied oMponents Description Quantity Neo 5.5 sCMOS Camera (C or F-mount: as selected at time of ordering) Description Quantity Description...

  • Page 14: P Ower S Upply U Nit (Psu)

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Introduction 1.6 p (pSu) ower upply The Neo 5.5 is powered by an external 12V DC Power Supply Unit (PSU). The connection to the Neo is made via a 2 pin connector. The External Power Supply has an IEC male socket that requires a certified mains lead with an IEC female plug for connection to the mains electrical supply (Refer to Section 1.4 for PSU specifications).

  • Page 15: Onnections Verview

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Introduction 1.7 c onnecTionS verview USB 2 Connection On/Off Switch 12 V DC Power Connection Camera Link Connector Multi I/O Timing Cable TTL/ DAC 26-Way D type Connection 3: C iguRe onneCtions on tHe aCkplate oF tHe 1.7.1 m i/o T ulTi...

  • Page 16: Mpedance Nformation

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Introduction 1.7.2 i mpedance nformaTion TTL and CMOS Compatible Neo Camera TTL Signal Family 10 Ohms External 470 Ohms Trigger Input Neo Camera Use 50 Ohm cable and high impedance input (>1KOhm) 33 Ohms Family Fire, Arm and AUX_OUT 1/2 outputs 4: n...

  • Page 17: Ther C Onnections

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Introduction 1.7.3 o THer onnecTionS USB 2.0: A USB 2.0 compatible cable can be connected between the USB socket and a PC. NOTE: The USB • cable connection is used primarily for Firmware upgrades and should not normally be connected •...

  • Page 18: Ooling Ose Onnectors

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Introduction 1.8 c ooling onnecTorS There are two connectors to allow connection of the Neo to a water cooler or re-circulator to enhance cooling: 6: C iguRe ooling onneCtoRs Please refer to the mechanical drawings in Appendix A for details of connector and hose type compatibility and to Section 3.7 for connection and disconnection information.

  • Page 19: Section 2: Features And Functionality

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality SECTION 2: FEATURES AND FUNCTIONALITY cmoS S TrucTure and peraTion sCMOS technology has been developed specifically to overcome many of the limitations that have marred other scientific detector technologies, resulting in an imaging detector that provides exceptional performance for many applications.

  • Page 20: Te C Ooling

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.2 Te c ooling The read noise of sCMOS technology is extremely low, therefore very careful attention must be given to the contribution of thermal noise, which if left unchecked carries potential to sacrifice the low noise floor advantage. Deep thermoelectric cooling provides the key to maintaining a minimized detection limit through suppression of dark current, and in addition, reducing the occurrence of hot pixel blemishes (see Section 2.2.3).

  • Page 21: E Ffect Of Te C Ooling On The N Oise F Loor

    The Andor Neo 5.5 sCMOS platform is unique as it is the only scientific CMOS camera to offer the level of deep thermoelectric cooling necessary to minimize the detrimental influence of dark noise. Figure 9 below shows theoretical plots of noise floor versus exposure time, at three different cooling temperatures, +5ºC, -30ºC and -40ºC.

  • Page 22: E Ffect Of Te C Ooling On H Ot P Ixel B Lemishes

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.2.3 e Te c ffecT of ooling on ixel lemiSHeS CMOS sensors are particularly susceptible to hot pixel blemishes. These are pixels that have significantly higher dark current than the average. Through deep TE cooling of the sensor, it is possible to dramatically minimize the occurrence of such hot pixels within the sensor, meaning that these pixels can still be used for useful quantitative imaging.

  • Page 23: Olling And Lobal Hutter

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.3 r olling and lobal HuTTer The sCMOS sensor used in the Neo 5.5 offers a choice of both Rolling and Global shutter, providing superior application flexibility. Rolling and Global shutter modes describe two distinct sequences through which the image may be read off a CMOS sensor.

  • Page 24: G Lobal S Hutter

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.3.2 g lobal HuTTer Global shutter mode, which can also be thought of as a ‘snapshot’ exposure mode, means that all pixels of the array are exposed simultaneously. In most respects, global shutter can be thought of as behaving like an Interline CCD sensor. Before the exposure begins, all pixels in the array will be held in a ‘keep clean state’, during which charge is drained into the anti-bloom structure of each pixel.

  • Page 25: S Electinelecting Or Ollinelecting Oor Electing Lobal S Hutteor

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.3.3 S elecTing olling or lobal HuTTer The selection of Rolling Shutter or Global Shutter modes will depend on your specific experimental conditions. A summary of the key parameters for each mode is shown in Table 4. 4: a C able oMpaRison oF...

  • Page 26: R Olling And G Lobal S Hutter M Echanisms

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.3.4 r olling and lobal HuTTer ecHaniSmS In Rolling Shutter mode, charge transfer happens on a per row basis whilst in global shutter charge transfer happens for the whole sensor or globally. To read out a pixel in Rolling Shutter mode, the following processes occur within the analog circuitry: 1.

  • Page 27: U Nderstanding R Ead N Oise In S Cmos

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.4 u cmoS nderSTanding oiSe in S sCMOS technology boasts an ultra-low read noise floor that significantly exceeds that of even the best CCDs, and at several orders of magnitude faster pixel readout speeds. For those more accustomed to dealing with CCDs, it is useful to gain an understanding of the nature of read noise distribution in CMOS imaging sensors.

  • Page 28: S Purious N Oise F Ilter

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.4.1 S puriouS oiSe ilTer The Spurious Noise filter corrects for pixels that would otherwise appear as spurious ‘salt and pepper’ noise spikes in the image. The appearance of such noisy pixels is analogous to the situation of Clock Induced Charge (CIC) noise spikes in EMCCD cameras, in that the overall noise of the sensor has been reduced to such a low level, that the remaining small percentage of spurious, high noise pixels can become an aesthetic issue.

  • Page 29: Ual Mplifier Ynamic Ange

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.5 d mplifier ynamic ange The Dual Amplifier architecture of the sCMOS sensor in Neo 5.5 eliminates the need to choose between low noise or high capacity, as the signal can be sampled simultaneously by both high gain and low gain amplifiers. The lowest noise of the sensor can be harnessed alongside the maximum well depth to provide the widest possible dynamic range.
  • Page 30 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality The dual column level amplifier/ADC pairs have independent gain settings, and the final image (see figure 16) is reconstructed by combining pixel readings from both the high gain and low gain readout channels to achieve a wide intra-scene dynamic range, especially for the relatively small 6.5 μm pixel pitch.

  • Page 31: S Ensor R Eadout O

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.6 S enSor eadouT pTimizaTion To allow the camera to be optimized for the widest range of applications it is important to have flexibility in the readout options available, some of these include: Cooling Options (please see Section 2.2 for further information) •...

  • Page 32: Eadout Ate

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.6.2 p ixel eadouT The Pixel Readout Rate defines the rate at which pixels are read from the sensor The faster the 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.

  • Page 33: T Rigger M Odes

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7 T rigger odeS The Neo 5.5 camera has the following triggering modes: • Internal Trigger: the camera determines the exact time when an exposure happens based on the acquisition settings entered by the user. This is the most basic trigger mode and requires no external intervention. •...

  • Page 34: Nhanced Ttl F Ire S Ignalling

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.1 S TTl S ofTware cquiSiTion venTS and nHanced ignalling The Neo 5.5 camera now includes both software acquisition events (for example fast software notification of start and end of exposure) and enhanced TTL Fire signalling for both Global and Rolling Shutter modes to facilitate the use of the camera in systems where camera synchronisation is required with other devices such as light source controllers or physical stage movements.

  • Page 35: S Oftware

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.1.2 S ofTware venTS The available software events and their behaviour are shown in Table 11. These events can be individually enabled/ disabled. Refer to timing diagrams in the Triggering section to see the occurrences of these events. Refer to SDK3 manual for further information on configuration of software events.

  • Page 36: Xample Ystem Sage Of

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.1.3 e xample ySTem Sage of cquiSiTion venTS Compare the following diagrams: The first diagram (Figure 18) shows the situation prior to the introduction of the Software Events. In this case the user had to wait until the image frame was completely transferred to the PC before they received any notification that the exposure had completed.

  • Page 37: Hutter Riggering Odes

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.2 r olling HuTTer riggering odeS In Rolling Shutter Mode, charge transfer happens on a per row basis: 1. The node is reset for each row 2. A ‘reference’ measurement taken, and the charge transferred 3.
  • Page 38 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality The timing tables accompanying each of the triggering diagrams that follow indicate the exposure and cycle times achievable in each triggering mode. These are based on Frame and Row Periods as shown below in Table 13: 13: t able iMing...

  • Page 39: Olling Hutter Nternal

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.2.1 r olling HuTTer nTernal riggering verlap Internal Trigger Mode allows the user to configure an exposure time and cycle time. For Internal Triggering Non-overlap mode, the exact acquisition sequence depends on the exposure time and cycle time set as shown below. When the required exposure time is less than the time it takes to read out a frame (Short Exposures), the cycle time is always defined by the time taken to read out a frame.

  • Page 40: Olling Hutter Nternal

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 16: e able xaMple tiMings FoR HoRt xposuRe and full frame readouT enSor lock arameTer 200 mH 560 mH Exposure Time 25.41 µs 28.33 ms 9.24 µs 10.1 ms Cycle Time (1/Frame Rate) 27.44 ms 28.33 ms 9.98 ms 10.1 ms...

  • Page 41: Riggering Verlap Ode )

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.2.2 r olling HuTTer nTernal riggering verlap Internal Triggering in Overlap Mode allows the user to perform an exposure and acquire images from the sensor simultaneously. This is achieved by starting a new exposure while the previous frames exposure is being read out from the sensor.

  • Page 42: Olling Hutter Oftware

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.2.3 r olling HuTTer ofTware riggering HorT xpoSureS When the required exposure time is less than the time it takes to read out a frame (Short Exposures), the cycle time is always defined by the time taken to read out a frame. In this scenario, the sensor is configured to continually output signal frames.

  • Page 43: Olling Hutter Xternal

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.2.4 r olling HuTTer xTernal ofTware riggering overlap In this section, both External and Software Trigger are described in the same diagram as the acquisition sequence is the same. The trigger event can either be from the EXT Trigger input or sent via software. While waiting on the trigger event, the sensor is put into a “pre-scan read out cycle”...

  • Page 44: R Olling S

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.2.5 r olling HuTTer xTernal xpoSure riggering verlap While waiting on the trigger event, the sensor held in a global clear state and is put into a “pre-scan read out cycle”. On detection of the trigger event, Global Clear goes LOW and a frame read out is initiated. This frame is discarded as it does not contain the correct exposure period.

  • Page 45: Ode )

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.2.6 r olling HuTTer xTernal xpoSure riggering verlap In overlap mode, every positive edge of an external trigger will trigger a frame read out and start a new exposure for the next frame. The period of external trigger pulse defines exposure and cycle time for each frame read out. While waiting on the positive edge of the external trigger, the sensor held in a global clear state and is put into a “pre- scan read out cycle”.

  • Page 46: Olling Hutter Xternal Tart

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.2.7 r olling HuTTer xTernal TarT riggering In this mode the camera will wait for a single external trigger event. Once this external trigger event is detected, the camera will progress as if the camera was in internal trigger mode (see Section 2.7.2.1 and 2.7.2.2). The ARM signal indicates to the user when the camera is ready to detect an External Start Trigger.

  • Page 47: Olling Hutter Riggering

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.2.8 r olling HuTTer riggering onSTrainTS The table below shows a summary of constraints when operating in Rolling Shutter mode: 24: R able olling HutteR RiggeRing odes onstRaints uMMaRy rigger xpoSure olling HuTTer riggering odeS xpoSure ange...

  • Page 48: Hutter T Riggering M Odes

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.3 g lobal HuTTer riggering odeS Global Shutter mode, which can also be thought of as a ‘snapshot’ exposure mode, means that all pixels of the array are exposed simultaneously. Before the exposure begins, all pixels in the array are cleared of charge using the Global Clear. At the start of the exposure each pixel simultaneously begins to collect charge and is allowed to do so for the duration of the exposure time.

  • Page 49: Lobal Hutter Nternal

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.3.1 g lobal HuTTer nTernal riggering verlap In Internal non-overlap modes, a new exposure does not start until the previous exposure has been read out. The exact acquisition sequence depends on the exposure time. The two scenarios are shown in Figure 28 below and Figure 29. If the exposure time is less than the time it takes to read out a frame, then the exposure period occurs between reading out the reference and the signal frames as shown in Figure 28.

  • Page 50: Lobal Hutter Nternal

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality If the exposure time is greater than a frame read out time, the exposure starts first by pulsing the Global Clear. The reference frame is read out during the exposure such that the end of the reference read out is coincident with the end of the exposure.

  • Page 51: Lobal S Hutter E Xternal /S

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.3.2 g lobal HuTTer nTernal riggering verlap In Internal Triggering with Overlap Mode on, the read out of an exposure overlaps with the next exposure. This allows the user to maximize the frame rate for a given exposure time. The absolute maximum frame rate achievable is the time taken to read out both the Reference and Signal Frame from the sensor.

  • Page 52: G Lobal S

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.3.3 g lobal HuTTer xTernal ofTware riggering In this section, both External and Software Trigger are described in the same diagram as the acquisition sequence is the same. The trigger event can either from the EXT input or sent via software. While waiting on the trigger event, the sensor is put into a “pre-scan read out cycle”.
  • Page 53 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 32: g iguRe lobal HutteR xteRnal oFtwaRe RiggeRing veRlap 30: g ) - C able lobal HutteR xteRnal oFtwaRe RiggeRing iMing aRaMeteRs veRlap yCle ependent on xposuRe aRaMeteR iniMuM axiMuM Exposure 1 Frame + 1 InterFrame + 1 Row 2 Frames + 1 InterFrame + 4 Rows Cycle Time (1/Frame Rate) 2 x (1 Frame + 1 InterFrame + 1 Row)

  • Page 54: M Ode )

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.3.4 g lobal HuTTer xTernal xpoSure riggering verlap While waiting on the trigger event, the sensor is put into a “pre-scan read out cycle”. On detection of the trigger event, the Global Clear is pulsed to clear the charge from the sensor. The exposure period then starts and lasts for the width of the External Trigger.

  • Page 55: Ode )

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.3.5 g lobal HuTTer xTernal xpoSure riggering verlap In overlap mode, every positive edge of an External trigger triggers a signal frame read out and starts a new exposure. The period of External trigger pulse defines both the exposure time and cycle time. Note that when an acquisition starts, the first positive edge of the trigger will initiate the first exposure but also output a frame that has an incorrect exposure which is therefore discarded internally.

  • Page 56: Lobal Hutter Xternal Tart

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.3.6 g lobal HuTTer xTernal TarT riggering In this mode the camera will wait for a single external trigger event. Once this external trigger event is detected, the camera will progress as if the camera was in internal trigger mode. The ARM signal indicates to the user when the camera is ready to detect an External Start Trigger.

  • Page 57: Lobal Hutter Riggering

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.7.3.7 g lobal HuTTer riggering onSTrainTS Table 35 below shows a summary of constraints when operating in Global Shutter mode: 35: g able lobal HutteR onstRaints uMMaRy rigger xpoSure lobal HuTTer riggering odeS xpoSure ange rigger ulSe...

  • Page 58: A Cquisition M Odes

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.8 a cquiSiTion odeS The following acquisition modes can be supported: • Single Scan • Kinetic Series • Accumulate • Run Till Abort NOTES: The term ‘User Frame’, in this section refers to a single frame in Rolling Shutter mode and a reference/image frame pair in Global Shutter mode.

  • Page 59: L Ive M Ode

    Neo 5.5 sCMOS Features and Functionality 2.8.5 l Live Mode refers to a version of Run Till Abort in which each user frame is the latest frame output by the sensor and with the minimum amount of latency through the camera as is possible. Live mode requires the use of SW Trigger.
  • Page 60 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Installation SECTION 3: INSTALLATION 3.1 S afeTy onSideraTionS • Prior to commencing installation, please refer to the Specifications in Section 1.4 to ensure all requirements have been met • As part of the safety features of the Neo 5.5, the product is designed to have a protective earth connected via the earth pin on the mains plug of the unit.
  • Page 61 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Installation 4. Select the installation directory or accept the default when prompted by the installer. 5. The following window will be displayed: 36: s iguRe eleCting tHe estination FoldeR 6. Click on the drop down box and select Neo as shown: 37: s iguRe eleCting tHe...
  • Page 62 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Installation 3.5 c amera onTroller nSTallaTion The Camera Link controller card is installed in the same manner as you would fit most other PCIe slot-in cards such as graphics cards. WARNING: Ensure that the computer is disconnected from the Mains power supply before opening the computer covers or access-panels.
  • Page 63 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Installation 9. Remove the controller card carefully from its protective ESD packaging, e.g.: 41: i iguRe nstalling tHe ontRolleR 10. Firmly press the card connector into the chosen expansion slot and ensure it is securely locked in place 42: t iguRe ontRolleR...
  • Page 64 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Installation 3.7 c oolanT onnecTion and iSconnecTion WARNINGS: Before attempting to insert or remove the Coolant hose connections, ensure that all coolant has been drained from the hoses and integral coolant channel within the camera head. Care must be taken to avoid permanent damage to the camera system resulting from either leakage of coolant during connection / removal of hoses or spillage of any residual coolant contained within the camera head once the hoses have been removed.
  • Page 65 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Operation SECTION 4: OPERATION 4.1 c onnecTing THe amera After you have successfully installed all software and drivers, connect the Neo 5.5 in the following sequence: 1. Power up the PC 2. Connect the power supply to the Power connection point on the rear of the camera 3.
  • Page 66 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Operation 4.2.2 Te c ooling The Neo 5.5 detector is cooled using a thermoelectric (TE) cooler. TE coolers are small, electrically powered devices with no moving parts, making them reliable and convenient. A TE cooler is actually a heat pump, i.e. it achieves a temperature difference by transferring heat from its ‘cold side’...
  • Page 67 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Operation 4.3 f eTTingS The vast majority of applications, including optical microscopy, can be used with the default highest fan speed, since the vibrations from the fan are minimal. However some applications can be extremely sensitive to even the smallest of vibrations (such as when combining an optical set-up with patch clamp electrophysiology, or atomic force microscopy) so it may be useful to either select a slower fan speed, or to temporarily turn the fan off altogether for the duration of the acquisition.
  • Page 68 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Operation 4.4 S ofTware upporT The following software applications include support for the Neo 5.5 camera, check with your software supplier for applications not listed below: • Andor Solis • Andor SDK3 • Andor iQ • MetaMorph Details of how to set up the camera using various 3rd party software can be found on My Andor at MyAndor >...
  • Page 69 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Maintenance SECTION 5: MAINTENANCE WARNING: THERE ARE NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE THE CAMERA. DAMAGE CAUSED BY UNAUTHORIZED MAINTENANCE OR PROCEDURES WILL INVALIDATE THE WARRANTY. 5.1 r egular HeckS • The condition of the product should be checked regularly, especially the integrity of the External Power Supply and the mains cable •...
  • Page 70 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Troubleshooting SECTION 6: TROUBLESHOOTING We have included some typical issues you may encounter when initially using the Neo 5.5 sCMOS. If you are unable to rectify any of the problems shown in this section, please contact Andor Technical Support for further advice.
  • Page 71 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Troubleshooting 6.6 p revenTing ondenSaTion NEVER USE WATER THAT HAS BEEN CHILLED BELOW THE DEW POINT OF THE AMBIENT ENVIRONMENT TO COOL THE CAMERA- A DEW POINT GRAPH IS SHOWN IN APPENDIX B FOR REFERENCE. You may see condensation on the outside of the camera body if the cooling water is at too low a temperature or if the water flow is too high.
  • Page 72 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Appendix appendix a.1: MECHANICAL DRAWINGS (NEO WITH C-MOUNT) Version 1.7 rev 22 May 2017...
  • Page 73 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Appendix APPENDIX a.2: MECHANICAL DRAWINGS (NEO WITH F-MOUNT) Version 1.7 rev 22 May 2017...
  • Page 74 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Appendix appendix b: DEW POINT GRAPH The relationship between Relative Humidity and Dew Point at varying Ambient Temperature is shown below. This can be used to calculate the minimum temperature the cooling water should be set to. Version 1.7 rev 22 May 2017...
  • Page 75 Neo 5.5 sCMOS Appendix appendix c.1: WASTE ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS 2006 (weee) Where appropriate, Andor has labelled its electronic products with the WEEE label (crossed out wheelie bin) to alert our customers that products bearing this label should not be disposed of in a landfill or with municipal waste.

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