iStar sCMOS
Ultrafast Platform for Nanosecond
Time-resolved Imaging and Spectroscopy
Key Specifications

Key Applications

P 5.5 megapixel sCMOS
P 50 fps full frame
P High dynamic range at full speed
P Integrated triple output DDG
P Photocathode QE up to 50%
P Integrate-On-Chip gating up to 500 kHz
P USB 3.0 interface

P Plasma studies
P Time-resolved Fluorescence &Photoluminescence

P Flow analysis
P Combustion/PLIF imaging
P Hyperspectral imaging
P Standoff chemical detection

andor.oxinst.com

Introducing iStar sCMOS
Superior high-speed acquisition performance
3 12-bit high-speed mode
3 2 times faster than the closest interline-based competitor at anequivalent field-of-view (and over 5 times faster with ROI)

Market Leading Ultrafast Acquisition Speeds
iStar sCMOS*

Image Array Size

Frame Rate
12-bit (16-bit)*•1

2560 x 2160

49 (49)2048 x 2048

52 (52)2160 x 1800 [Ø 18 mm tube fit]

59 (59)512 x 512

201 (201)

128 x 128716 (716)

2560 x 8

4,008 (4,008)

49 52 **

1 MP interline† ICCD
(12.8 µm pix.)26

1 MP emICCD(13 µm pix.)

8.7
0

10

20

* 2 x 2 binning** comparable field of view†
Sensors now obsolete by OnSemi

30

40

50

60

Frame/s

Delivers
3 Faster characterisationof transient plasma,fluorescence or absorption
behaviours

3 NEW Faster characterizationof spectroscopic phenomena
and multi point experimentstudies (multi-track)

3 Faster Echellogram image
capture for broadband LIBSbased applications

Application Focus
Flow Analysis / Combustion

Plasma Imaging

iStar sCMOS comfortably accommodates the 15 Hz imaging
requirement of typical PLIF setups with extremely low noise floor andexcellent dynamic range, nanosecond snapshots of the flame andhigh background light rejection.

The high frame rate and < 2 ns gating of the iStar
sCMOS allow faster reconstruction of plasma
dynamics with extremely high temporal resolution.

Optical inter-frame down to 200 ns for time-gated PIV setups with awide range of velocities.

Hyperspectral Imaging & multi-track spectroscopy
On-head FPGA functions can discriminate up to 256 individual
channels (e.g. multi-leg fibre optic) with no acquisition rate sacrificecompared to CCDs. for time-gated PIV setups with a wide range of
velocities.
2

Features & Benefits
FeatureBenefit

50 frames/s acquisition rates

Sustainable rate at full field-of-view, out-performs CCD and interline* based ns gated
ICCDs with equivalent field-of-view.

16.6 x 14.0 mm sensor matrix

Large field of view, access more of the useful active area of Ø18 mm image intensifiers
without the need for optical tapers.

2.4 e- read noise

Highest dynamic range even at the fastest frame rates, up to 5 times better performance
than the closest interline-based competitor

12-bit and 16-bit modes

12-bit mode for smaller file size and absolute fastest frame rates, 16-bit for full dynamic
range.

Up to 32-bit data transmission to PC

On-head intelligence to preserve dynamic range in extensive pixel binning, or high intensity
pixel binning scenarios.

Optical inter-frame down to 300 ns

Ideal for PIV-type applications requiring fast dual images snapshots with high backgroundrejection or supersonic flow analysis.
The true Global Shutter mode facilitates an optical inter-frame gap down to 100 ns,
although the intensifier phosphor decay time is the limiting factor. The decay time of a fastP46 phosphor is typically 200 ns (@ 10% intensity).

TE cooling down to 0oC
High QE Gen 2 & 3 image intensifiers
True optical gating < 2 ns

Efficiently minimizes dark current noise for acquisitions requiring longer sensor exposure
time, e.g. integrate-on-chip mode.
Superior photon capture, with peak QE up to 50% and spectral coverage from 120 to
1,100 nm.
Billionth of a second time-resolution for accurate transient phenomena study.

Low jitter, on-board Digital Delay
Generator (DDGTM )Highest gating timing accuracy with lowest propagation delay. Software controlled 3x
triggering outputs with 10 ps setup accuracy for complex experiment integration.

500 kHz sustained photocathode gating(3.3 MHz Burst Mode)

Maximizes signal-to-noise ratio in high repetition rate pulse laser-based applications.
Burst mode allows gate pulse separation down to 300 ns for time-resolved PIV mode.

Photocathode EBI minimization
IntelligateTM
USB 3.0 interface
GPU Express

Integrated in EPICS
2 year warranty

Dry gas purge interface for further efficient EBI reduction.
Intelligent and accurate MCP gating for better than 1:108 shuttering efficiency in the UV(Gen 2 image intensifier).
Super-fast data transfer at 40 fps full frame with a plug-and-play, user-friendly interface –optical extenders available for operation up to 100 m.
Simplify and optimize data transfers from camera to Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) card
to facilitate accelerated GPU processing as part of the acquisition pipeline.
Ease of operation in EPICS software-based facilities such as partner particle acceleratorsand other large scientific experiments.
Reliability and guaranteed performance over time.

*Sensors now obsolete by OnSemi

Spectroscopy Modes
On-head asymmetric binning and multitrack

On-board intelligence delivering Spectroscopists-friendly spectra and multi-track dataprior to transfer through USB interface. Upfront data size reduction and easier user dataprocessing.

Selectable bit-depth up to 32-bit

Preserve dynamic range in extensive on-head binning scenarios.
User-selectable data bit depth to be transmitted over the camera interface, up to 32-bit.

3

Technical Specifications•2

Front-Illuminated Scientific CMOS

Sensor type

2560 x 2160 pixels (W x H), 6.5 µm pixel size
Sensor matrix

Ø18 mm

Ø25 mmintensifier

intensifiersCMOS
Sensor

1:1 coupler

1:1 coupler
16.6 x 14.0 mm
21.8 mm diagonal

Sensor size

30,000

Pixel well depth (e-)@ 200 MHz 2.3 [2.5]@ 560 MHz 2.4 [2.6]

Read noise (e- ) median [rms]at available pixel readout rates•3
Minimum cooling temperature•4[dark current, e- /pixel/s]
air cooled
liquid cooledsCMOS
SensorØ18 mm photocathodeØ25 mm photocathode0oC [0.18]
0oC [0.18]

0oC [0.18]
0oC [0.18]
Better than 99.8%

Sensor linearity (% maximum)•5
Data range

12-bit (fastest speed) and 16-bit (maximum dynamic range)

Pixel binning

On-head, pre-defined options 2x2, 4x4 … or flexible configuration setup

Region of Interest

Minimum channel height of 8 rows

Interface option

USB 3.0

Internal memory

1 GB

Camera and Internal Digital Delay Generator (DDG) Inputs/Outputs
Gate pulse delay & width

Adjustable from 0 ns to 10 s in 10 ps steps
Trigger Outputs

Output A, B and C

Fire
Arm monitor

Gate & output A, B and C jitter+5 V CMOS level with 50 Ω source impedance; can drive 5V into a non-terminating load or 2.5V into
50 Ω load; output synchronized triggers for auxiliary equipment, e.g. lasers, flash lamps, National
Instrument™ hardware
Individual delays control from 0 ns to 10 s in 10 ps steps
Configurable Polarity
5 V CMOS level reference signal for beginning and end of individual sensor exposure
5 V CMOS level reference signal to indicate when system is ready to accept external triggers. Signal
goes high when system is ready to accept external triggers (after a readout has finished or sooner if in
overlap mode) and goes low when the exposure is finished
35 ps rms (relative to external trigger or to each other)
Trigger Inputs

External trigger
Direct gate

Trigger input for sensor and Digital Delay Generator
Up to 500 kHz for Integrate-On-Chip mode
TTL input for exact external control of photocathode width and timing with smallest insertion delay.
Additional Controls

4Gate monitoring

AC coupling from photocathode to monitor exact photocathode on/off switching and timings

Insertion delay< 19 ns in direct gate operation

How the sCMOS sensor is used in the different modes
The diagrams below illustrate how the sCMOS sensor array is used for the different modes:

Imaging Mode

Spectroscopy Mode

Multi-track Mode

S

I

M
h

2560 x 82560 x 20d2560 x 30
2560 x 20

512 x 512

2560 x 2160

The array size may be
defined for either resolution,or maximum speed.

I

A vertically binned track is
centred on the sensor enabling
the maximum spectral rate tocapture dynamic events.

Imaging Mode
Frame rate table - 12-bit (16-bit)

Array Size (W x H)

Frame Rate*

2560 x 2160

49 (49)2048 x 2048

52 (52)1920 x 1080

97 (97)512 x 512

201 (201)

128 x 128716 (716)

2560 x 8

4,008 (4,008)

S•1

Up to 256 vertically binned
tracks can be used for
multi-track analysis without
sacrificing speed.

Spectroscopy Mode
Vertically binned tracks 12-bit & 16-bit* 2 x 2 binning.

M

Multi-track Mode
Vertically binned tracks 12-bit & 16-bit

Number of tracks(centred vertically)Trackheight(h, pixels)

Tracksseparation(d, pixels)

Frame Rate

2

12

12

1,967

2

20

20

1,370

2

154

77

265

20

12

12

222

20

20

20

135

50

12

12

89

50

20

20

54

256

8

0

52

•1

Array Size (W x H)

Frame Rate

any x 84,008

any x 12

3,491

any x 16

3,092

any x 31

2,122

any x 77

1,093

any x 100909

any x 128736

any x 154

618

any x 462

224

any x 512203

any x 1040

102

any x 1080

98

any x 2048

52

•1

GPU Express - Optimise Data Flow-Rates
The Andor GPU Express library has been created to simplify and optimise data transfers fromcamera to a CUDA-enabled Nvidia Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) card to facilitate accelerated
GPU processing as part of the acquisition pipeline. GPU Express integrates easily with SDK3 forWindows, providing a user-friendly but powerful solution for management of high bandwidth data
flow challenges; ideal for data intensive applications such as Light Sheet Microscopy, Super-Resolution Microscopy and
Adaptive Optics.

3
3
3

Enhanced convenience, afforded by simple, optimised GPU data management
Optimal data throughout
Superb, easily accessible documentation and examples.
5

Specifications: Gen 2 Image Intensifiers•2

18*-03 (P43)
18*-04 (P46)

Photocathode model

18*-05 †18H-13 (P43)
18H-14 (P46)

18H-83 (P43)
18H-84 (P46)618*-E3 (P43)•
6
18*-E4 (P46)•

25*-03 (P43)
25*-04 (P46)Ø18 mm(Ø25 mm available- contact
Andor for information)

Useful apertureØ18 mm only

Ø25 mmInput window

QuartzMgF2

QuartzQuartzQuartzQuartzPhotocathode type

W-AGT

W-AGT

WR

UW

WE-AGT

W-AGT

Minimum guaranteed QE at room
temperature •7

13.5%

11%

7%

20%

15%

14%

Typical peak QE at room temperature•7

18%

15%

13.5%

25%

22%

16%

180 - 850

120 - 850

180 - 920

180 - 850

180 - 850

180 - 850

Wavelength range (nm)Phosphor type [decay time to 10%]
Standard
Optional**

P43 [2 ms]
P46 [200 ns]

Image intensifier resolution limit •8
P43 (Standard)
P46 (Optional)

25 µm
30 µm [-04 model]

25 µm
30 µm

25 µm
25 µm
25 µm
35 µm
30 µm [-14 model] 30 µm [-84 model] 30 µm [-E4 model] 40 µm [-04 model]

<2
<5
-

<5
< 10
-

< 50

< 100

<2
<5
-

<3
<7
-

> 1000 (P43)> 500 (P46)> 1000>850 (P43)>400 (P46)>500 (P43)>250 (P46)>300 (P43)>150 (P46)>1000 (P43)>500 (P46)

Minimum optical gate width (ns) •9, 10
U (Ultrafast)
F (Fast)H (High QE)
Maximum relative gain •11

Maximum photocathode repetition
rate (with Intelligate™ OFF)500 kHz (continuous)

Maximum photocathode repetition
rate n(with Intelligate™ ON)

5 kHz (continuous)

Equivalent Background Illuminance(EBI)< 0.2 photoe-/pix/sec< 0.4 photoe-/pix/sec< 0.2 photoe-/pix/sec* Substitute with appropriate gate width option, e.g. 18*-03 (please refer to page 9 for detailed ordering information)** All photocathode types can be combined with a fast-decay P46 phosphor – please contact your local Andor representative for further information†

Comes with an O ring VUV-compatible spectrograph interface as standard

Quantum Efficiency Curves for Gen 2 Image Intensifiers•730

18H-83
Gen 2 (UW,
and 18H-84
H-83)

25

Quantum Efficiency (%)

20
18x-E3 and 18x-E4

15

10
18x03
Gen 2 and
(WGT,
18x-04,-03)
25x-03 and 25x-04

518H-13
Gen 2 (WR,and 18H-14
H-13)

0

200

300

400

500

600

Wavelength (nm)

6

700

800

900

Specifications: Gen 3 Image Intensifiers•2

18*-63 (P43)
18*-64 (P46)

Photocathode model

18*-73 (P43)
18*-74 (P46)

18*-93 (P43)
18*-94 (P46)

18*-A3 (P43)18*-A4 (P46)Ø18 mm (Ø25 mm options also available except -93 model- contact Andor for information)

Useful aperture
Input window

Glass

Glass

Glass

Glass

Photocathode type

HVS

VIH

NIR

EVS

Minimum guaranteed QE at room
temperature •7

38%

23%

0.10%

35%

Typical peak QE at room
temperature •7

50%

30%

5%

40%

280 - 760 nm

280 - 910 nm

380 - 1090 nm

280 - 810 nm

Wavelength range
Phosphor type [decay time to 10%]
Standard
Optional**

P43 [2 ms]
P46 [200 ns]

Image intensifier resolution limit •8
P43 (Standard)
P46 (Optional)

30 µm
35 µm [-64 model]

30 µm
35 µm [-74 model]

30 µm
35 µm [-94 model]

30 µm
35 µm [-A4 model]

Minimum optical gate width (ns) •10
U (Ultrafast)
F (Fast)

<2
<5

<2
<5

<3
<5

<2
<5

< 2 photoe-/pix/sec< 0.2 photoe-/pix/sec> 200 (P43)> 100 (P46)

Maximum relative gain •11

Maximum photocathode repetition
rate (with Intelligate™ OFF)500 kHz (continuous)

Maximum photocathode repetition
rate (with Intelligate™ ON)

5 kHz (continuous)

Equivalent Background Illuminance(EBI)< 0.1 photoe-/pix/sec< 0.3 photoe-/pix/sec* Substitute with appropriate gate width option, e.g. 18*-63 (please refer to page 9 for detailed ordering information)** All photocathode types can be combined with a fast-decay P46 phosphor – please contact your local Andor representative for further information

Quantum Efficiency Curves for Gen 3 Image Intensifiers•7100
18x-63 and 18x-64
18x-A3 and 18x-A4
18x-73 and 18x-74

Quantum Efficiency (%)

10

18x-93 and 18x-94

1

0.1

0.01

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

Wavelength (nm)7Intelligent gating modes
Integrate-On-Chip: 500,000 times more signal per 1 sec sensor exposure
The iStar’s Integrate-On-Chip (IOC) mode enables accumulation of useful signal from laser-induced phenomena at
frequencies up to 500 kHz, providing greatly improved signal-to-noise, and minimising experiment time. The latter greatly
benefits setups where photobleaching-sensitive biological samples are probed. This translates into the possibility toaccumulate 500,000 times more signal per 1 second sensor exposure time.
Integrate-On-Chip is fully software-configurable and can be used through extensive kinetic series involving up to 1,000
pre-programmed incremental delays from laser trigger for unrivalled combination of sensitivity and ultra-precise transientphenomena analysis.

Highrepetition
rate laser
CCD
exposure

millisecond scale

Normalphotocathodegating mode
IOC photocathodegating modeIntelligateTM: Superior gating in the UV-VUV region
One of the key functions of an image intensifier is toprovide high optical shuttering (ON/OFF) ratio.

However photocathode “leakage” becomes more
pronounced in the UV-VUV region (< 300 nm), wheremore energetic photons have a greater probability togo through the photocathode turned “OFF”, reach the
MCP to generate an electron that can be detected.
This can lead to shuttering efficiency as low as 1:104.
Andor’s exclusive IntelligateTM simultaneously gates
the photocathode and the MCP. The ultra fast risingedge of the MCP gate pulse switches on the correct
potential in a nanosecond timeframe, coinciding
precisely with the photocathode gating pulse. This
enables ON/OFF ratios as high as 108 in the UV-VUV
region.

Rejection Efficiency with IntelligateTM

1.E+08

Shuttering Efficiency

By switching photocathode voltage to a higher
or lower level relative to the MCP voltage, photoelectrons can be either directed towards or repelledfrom the MCP to avoid detection. ON/OFF values of
1:108 are typically measured for Visible/NIR incident
light on the photocathode.

1.E+09

1.E+07

1.E+06

1.E+05

Rejection Efficiency without IntelligateTM

1.E+04

1.E+03

200

240

260

280

300

320

340

Wavelength (nm)Gating trigger
initiation

Photocathode
Gate

Off
On
Unwanted areas of UVtransmission

MCP Gate~20 ns

8

220

~1 µs

Creating the optimum product for you
ISTAR-SCMOS- 18

Step 1.

Intensifier
DiameterStep 3.

Intensifier

Accessories &Adapters

Step 5.

Software

Step 2.

Choose the intensifier diameter

example shown

Choose a minimum gating speed

Intensifier diameter

Code

Gating speed

CodeØ 18 mm18

High QE, slow gatingHØ 25 mm25

Fast Gating

F

Ultra Fast Gating

U

GatingSpeed

Please contact Andor regarding Ø 25 mm
options.

Select an image intensifier option
Gen 2 Intensifier option

P43
phosphor

P46
phosphor

Gen 3 Intensifier option

P43
phosphor

P46
phosphor

W-AGT photocathode03

04

HVS photocathode

63

64

W-AGT photocathode, MgF205-

VIH photocathode73

74

WR photocathode13

14

NIR photocathode

93

94

84

EVS photocathode

A3

A4

E4

WE-AGT

E3

E4

UW photocathodeWE-AGT photocathode

Step 4.

F - 0383
E3

Select the required accessories and adapters
Description

Order CodeC-mount lens adaptor

ACC-LM-C

F-mount lens adaptor

ACC-LM-NIKON-F

UV-VIS 105mm SLR lens, 250 - 650 nm transmission, F-mount

OL-AF10-F45-#UV2

Oasis 160 Ultra compact chiller unit (tubing to be ordered separately)

ACC-XW-CHIL-160

6 mm tubing options for ACC-XW-CHIL-160(2x2.5 m or 2x5 m lengths)

ACC-6MM-TUBING-2X2.5/
ACC-6MM-TUBING-2X5M

I2C to BNC cable for Kymera and Shamrock shutter control

ELC-05323

Metric Bracket, converts ¼-20 mounting points to M6

ACC-ISTAR-METRIC ADP

15 m active USB 3.0 connector cable (power supply not required)

ACC-ASE-06887

50 m fibre optic USB 3.0 extender solution including power supply

ACC-ASE-08762

100 m fibre optic USB 3.0 extender solution including power supply

ACC-ASE-07860

Select the required software
The iStar sCMOS requires at least one of the following software options:
Solis for Time-Resolved A 32-bit and fully 64-bit enabled application for Windows (8.1 and 10) offering richfunctionality for data acquisition and processing. AndorBasic provides macro language control of data acquisition,
processing, display and export.
Andor SDK3 A software development kit that allows you to control the Andor range of cameras from your own application.
Available as 32/ 64-bit libraries for Windows (8.1 and 10) and Linux. Compatible with C/C++, C#, Delphi, VB.NET, LabVIEW,
MATLAB and Python.
GPU Express Andor GPU Express library has been created to simplify and optimize data transfers from camera to a
CUDA-enabled NVidia Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) card to facilitate accelerated GPU processing as part of theacquisition pipeline. Integrates easily with Andor SDK3 for Windows.

9

Product drawings
Dimensions in mm [inches]
Weight: 4.5 kg [9 lb 15 oz]
18MM CAMERA:
25MM CAMERA:

21.80 [0.858]
27.40 [1.079]

Third-angle projection
GATE MONITOR SKT(BEHIND GROMMET)

4.360
110.7

"AIR IN" TOP GRILL"AIR OUT" SIDE GRILL(BOTH SIDES)

1.319
33.5

1.870
47.5

3.372
85.7

2.047
52.0

5.429
137.9

0.157
4.0
4 PLCS"AIR IN"(OUT OPPOSITE SIDE)

3.543
90.0
O-RING

2.114
53.7 ID X 2.0 [0.08] WIDE
(BS-034)+0.016
0.394 - 0.016+0.40
10.0 - 0.40
OPTICAL FOCALDISTANCE

DRY GAS PURGE FORINTENSIFIER INPUT WINDOW.
PUSH FIT FOR 6MM [0.240] O.D
PLASTIC HOSE
(VENT OPPOSITE SIDE)MOUNTING POINTS
1/4-20 UNC ↓ 10.0 [0.394]
3 PLCS

9.247
234.9

EXTERNAL TRIGGER

2.319
58.9

FIRE

2.000
50.8

ACCESS POINTS FOR ALLEN KEY,
FOR 4 OFF Ø4.0 [0.157] CLEARANCEHOLES FOR MOUNTING SCREWS.

POWER
INPUT

DDG OUTPUT A, B, C
ARM
DIRECT GATE
0.315
8.0
ID WATER CONNECTIONSCOMPATIBLE WITH 1/4" BORE
SOFT HOSE(2 PLCS)AUX OUT
PRE-TRIG IN
I²C

1.850
47.0

EARTHING
STUD

ON/OFF SWITCH
USB 3.0(OPTIONAL LOCKABLE INTERFACE)

Connecting to the iStar sCMOS
Camera Control
Connector type: USB 3.0•12

Logic Input / Output
Connector type: SMA, provided with SMA - BNC cable
6x outputs: FIRE pulse, Output A, B, C from DDG, ARM, and Aux Out. 3x inputs: Camera trigger from 3rd party source (External Trigger), direct gate for direct
external control of intensifier gating, and Pre-Trigger

I2C connector
Compatible with Fischer SC102A054-130, pin-outs as follow:
1 = Shutter (5V CMOS level with 50 Ω impedance), 2 = I2C Clock (5 V), 3 = I2C Data (5 V), 4 = +5 Vdc, 5 = Ground

Gate Monitor
1x output: AC coupling to photocathode

Aux Out (external mechanical shutter output)
Configured by default to a 5 V CMOS level with 50 Ω impedance shutter output for controlling Andor Shamrock spectrograph mechanical shutters

Pre-trigger
Controls the sensor exposure in ‘external exposure mode’. Also available in ‘external trigger mode’ as a optional exclusive trigger to the sensor.

Regulatory Compliance & Power Supply Information
Regulatory Compliance••••

RoHS compliant
EU EMC Directive
EU LV Directive
IEC 61010-1 CB Scheme

External Power Supply Compliance• UL-certified for Canada and USA• Japanese PSE MarkPower Supply Requirements• Power: +12 VDC ± 5% @ 5 A typ. / 9 A max.
• Ripple: 120 mV peak-peak 0 - 20 MHz• 100 - 240 VAC, 43 - 67 Hz External power supply
Power Consumption:• Camera + External Power Supply (Typ./ Max.): 69 W/ 124 W• Camera Only (Typ./ Max.): 60 W/ 108 W

10Our Cameras for Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy-based diagnostics in the fields of Material Science, Chemistry, Life Science or Fundamental
Physics & Optics rely on the capture and analysis of optical and chemical signatures with a high degree ofprecision.
Andor’s range of detectors offer a wide range of sensitivity, time-resolution and sensor formats to best suitspecific experimental conditions from UV to SWIR, nanosecond to hours time resolution, high photon flux tosingle photon with super dynamic range and resolution.

Spectrographs & Accessories

High Sensitivity & Dynamic Range

3
3
3
3

3
3
3

Long exposure
High sensitivity UV-SWIR
Large pixel well depths
High resolution matrix

3
3
3
3

High modularity
High resolution
Intelligent motorisation
Broadband & high resolution Echelle

iDus CCD & InGaAs | Newton CCD & EM

Shamrock | Kymera | Mechelle

kHz Spectral Rates

Extended Multi-fibre Spectroscopyµs to ms time-resolution
High sensitivity down to single photon
High resolution matrix

Newton CCD & EMCCD | iXon EMCCD |ZL41 sCMOS | Marana sCMOS333

Large area sensors
Ultrafast sCMOS and EMCCD options
High sensitivity down to single photon

iKon-M CCD | iXon EMCCD | ZL41 sCMOS |Marana sCMOS | iStar CCD & sCMOS

Learn more about our detector range here.

11Order Today
Need more information? At Andor we are committed to finding the correct
solution for you. With a dedicated team of technical advisors, we are able tooffer you one-to-one guidance and technical support on all Andor products.
For a full listing of our local sales offices, please see: andor.oxinst.com/contact
Our regional headquarters are:Europe					Japan
Belfast, Northern Ireland 			Tokyo
Phone +44 (28) 9023 7126			
Phone +81 (3) 6744 4703
Fax +44 (28) 9031 0792			
Fax +81 (3) 3446 8320
North America				China
Concord, MA, USA 				Beijing | Shanghai | Guangzhou
Phone +1 (860) 290 9211			
Phone +86 (400) 678 0609
Fax +1 (860) 290 9566			
Fax +86 (10) 5884 7901

Items shipped with your camera
1 x USB 3.0 PCIe Card and 1 x 3 m USB 3.0 cable(Type A to B)
1x Gate Monitor cable
2x 2 m BNC to SMA cable
1x Power supply with mains cable
1x Quick Start Guide
1x User guides in electronic format
1x Individual perfomance booklet

Footnotes: Specifications are subject to change without notice

1. Note that the write speed of the PC hard drive can impose a further restriction to achieving sustained
kinetic series acquisition. All frame rates specified are given for non-overlap mode.
2. Figures are typical unless otherwise stated.
3. Readout noise is for the entire system and is taken as a median over the sensor area excluding any regionsof blemishes. It is a combination of sensor readout noise and A/D noise.
4. Dark current measurement is taken as a median over the sensor area excluding any regions of blemishes.
5. Linearity is measured from a plot of Signal vs. Exposure Time over the full dynamic range.

Minimum Computer Requirements:

6. The On/Off ratio for the ‘E3 and E4’ image intensifier in the UV with MCP gating is typically 105.

• 3 GHz Quad Core
• 4GB RAM (increase RAM if to be used forcontinuous data spooling)• Hard Drive: Minimum 450 MB/s continuous
write• PCI Express x4 or greater• Windows (8.1 or 10) or Linux• *See technical note entitled: ‘PC Specifications for
sCMOS’

7. Typical photocathode Quantum Efficiency and input window transmission as measured by the tube
manufacturer.

Operating and Storage Conditions• Operating Temperature:0ºC to 40ºC ambient• Relative Humidity: < 70% (non-condensing)• Storage Temperature: -20ºC to 55ºC

Power Requirements• Please refer to page 10

8. Typical resolution of the image intensifier tube only, not the overall resolution of the system. As a roughguide, the smallest resolvable FWHM feature will be approximately 4x the sensor pixel size. This is a very
important consideration for optical resolution calculations in spectrograph-based systems.
9. Gen 2 High QE (H) option – Photocathode QE is inherently linked to the gating speed of the intensifier. HighQE option (H) offers higher peak QE than Ultrafast (U) or Fast (F) intensifiers, while exhibiting minimum
gating speed one order of magnitude slower.
10. Actual measured minimum optical gating of the photocathode, reflecting not only the electrical pulse
width applied to the photocathode but also its inherent irising time.
11. Gain is software-selectable through a 12-bit DAC and varies exponentially with DAC setting. Value refers
to the ratio of max to min intensifier gain as measured for individual cameras. Actual optical gain (counts/
photoe-) for a DAC setting is accessed by the multiplication of the relative gain (at that DAC value) by theminimum system gain (at DAC = 0, sCMOS e- /photoe-) and divided by the sCMOS sensitivity (sCMOS e-/
count). Sensitivities are individually measured and reported for each system.
12. USB 3.0 connection should work with any modern USB 3.0 enabled PC/laptop (provided hard drives or
RAM is sufficient to support data rates) as every USB 3.0 port should have its own host controller. iStar
sCMOS also ship with a USB 3.0 PCIe card as a means to add a USB 3.0 port to an older PC, or as adiagnostic aid to interoperability issues or to ensure maximum speed.

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation
LISTARSCMOSSS 0824 R1