iXon Ultra
The World’s Highest PerformanceBack-illuminated EMCCDs
Key Specifications

Key Applications

3

Single photon sensitive

3

Quantum imaging

3

Exceptional QE > 95%

3

Cold atom & ion research3

13 or 16 µm pixel size

3

Fast astronomy

3

Active pixels: 1024 x 1024 or 512 x 512

3

Tomography3

TE cooling down to -95 or -100ºC

3

Fast spectroscopy

3

26 or 56 fps full frame
SRRF-Stream+ real time super-resolution

3

Single molecule detection

3

Super-resolution

3

andor.com

iXon Ultra
iXon Ultra 888:
Field of View & Sensitivity...
Now 3x Faster!
The highly innovative iXon Ultra 888 megapixel,
back-illuminated EMCCD camera offers single
photon sensitivity across a large field of view,at 26 fps. Building on a rich history of first to
market innovation, the ‘supercharged’ iXon Ultra
888, represents a massive performance boost
for the largest available EMCCD sensor, as wellas the first USB 3.0 enabled EMCCD camera.
The iXon Ultra 888 has been fundamentally re-engineered
to facilitate a 3x acceleration of the pixel readout speed toan unprecedented 30 MHz, whilst maintaining quantitative
stability, propelling the full frame performance to video rate.
Furthermore, Andor’s unique ‘Crop Mode’ can be employed tofurther boost frame rates from a user defined sub-region, forexample pushing a 512 x 512 sub-array to 93 fps and a 128 x
128 area to 697 fps.
With a 1024 x 1024 sensor format and 13 µm pixel size,
the resolving power, field of view and unparalleled speed of
the iXon Ultra 888 render it the most attractive and versatile
EMCCD option for demanding applications such as single
molecule detection, super-resolution microscopy, live cell
imaging and high time resolution astronomy.

EXCLUSIVECAMERA-BASEDSUPER-RESOLUTIONTECHNOLOGY

Widefield + SRRF Stream

iXon Ultra 897:
The market leading backilluminated EMCCD, now
accelerated to 56 fps.

Widefield
Image comparison of a fluorescently labelled fixed BPAE cell,recorded with a widefield fluorescence microscope and a
SRRF-Stream enabled iXon 888 camera.

Key Specifications
Active pixels (H x V)

1024 x 1024

Pixel size (W x H; μm )13 x 13

Image area (mm)13.3 x 13.3

Active Area Pixel Well Depth (e-)

80,000Max Readout Rate (MHz)30

Frame rates (fps)

26 (full frame) 9690

Read noise (e-)<1 with EM gain

QE Max>95%

The iXon Ultra 897 platform takes the popular
back-illuminated 512 x 512 frame transfer
sensor and overclocks readout to 17 MHz,
pushing speed performance to an outstanding
56 fps (full frame), whilst maintaining single
photon sensitivity and quantitative stability
throughout. New Optically Centred Crop Mode
unlocks unparalleled frame rate performancefrom centrally located ROIs, ideal for theparticular speed and sensitivity requirements ofsuper-resolution microscopy.
The iXon Ultra maintains all the advanced performance
attributes that have defined the industry-leading iXon range,such as deep vacuum cooling to -100°C, extremely low
spurious noise, and Andor’s patented EM gain recalibration
technology (EMCA™). Count Convert functionality allows realtime data acquisition in units of electrons or incident photons
and OptAcquire facilitates one-click optimization of thisversatile camera to a variety of application conditions.

Key Specifications
Active pixels (H x V)

512 x 512

Pixel size (W x H; μm )16 x 16

Image area (mm)8.2 x 8.2

Active Area Pixel Well Depth (e-)

180,000

Max Readout Rate (MHz)17

Frame rates (fps)

56 (full frame) 11,074

Read noise (e-)<1 with EM gain

QE Max>95%

Additional features of the iXon Ultra include plug and play USB
connectivity, a lower noise conventional CCD mode and an
additional Camera Link output, offering the unique ability todirectly access data for ‘on the fly’ processing, ideally suited todata intensive applications such as adaptive optics or superresolution microscopy.

The iXon Ultra is designed to be the most flexible yet easy touse EMCCD on the market, optimizable for a wide variety of
application requirements in a single click via the OptAcquire™
feature. Furthermore, signal can be quantitatively calibrated
in units of electrons or photons, either in real time or postprocessing. Patented, pioneering technology offers automatedrecalibration of EM gain, alongside anti-ageing protection.
Crucially, the iXon brand carries an outstanding reputation
within the industry for quality and reliability, brandishing an
unparalleled track record of minimal field failures.

Stability Plot

EM Gain stability in the iXon Ultra 897 @ 55
fps. 500 frame kinetic series; frame transfer(overlapped) acquisition; 17.8 ms exposure
time; x300 EM gain.
Field of View Comparison between iXon Ultra models. The
888 model has a x2.6 greater sensitive area than the 897
model.
2

3

Features & Benefits
Single Photon Sensitive & > 95% QE

Optimal SNR in light starved applications such as single molecule detection
and quantum physics.

Real time, cell super-resolution functionality. Living and fixed cells, works on
NEW ‘SRRF-Stream+’ (optional)
most modern fluorescence microscopes. Super-resolution down to 50 nm.
Our new sensor option offers up to 20% higher sensitivity to photons acrossBlue optimized model the blue region of the spectrum, ideal for quantum and ion imaging as well as
blue-emitting BEC.

Application Focus
The Physicist’s Choice
The unique high-performance specifications of the optimized iXon range have been serving the physical scientist andastronomer in scenarios that demand more than simply an EM sensor in a camera. Andor have worked with numerous
scientists to deliver solutions that work for their particular application requirements, such as specific coatings, coupling tofibre optic scintillators and ‘minimized latency’ direct data access solutions.

Quantum Science
Overclocked readout speeds Follow dynamic changing processes.
Continuous imaging with fastest possible frame rate from centrally positioned
Crop Mode ROIs. Highly enabling for live cell super-resolution and much more (e.g. 251
fps with 256 x 256 ROI).
TE cooling to -100°C Elimination of dark current detection limit.
RealGain™ Absolute EMCCD gain selectable directly from a linear and quantitative scale.
Lower Noise CCD Mode

‘2 in 1’ flexibility. EMCCD for ultra-sensitivity at speed, conventional CCD for
longer acquisitions.

Fringe Suppression (optional) Reduced etaloning in NIR.
Optimize the highly flexible iXon for different application requirements at the
OptAcquire
click of a button.
Count Convert

Quantitatively capture and view data in electrons or incident photons. Count
Convert does this important conversion for you.

EMCAL™ Patented user-initiated self-recalibration of EM gain.
Qualified down to -20oC ambient
Excellent for use at observatories.
temperature
Minimal Clock-Induced Charge Confident discrimination of single photon events in Quantum Imaging.
UltraVac™
Spurious Noise Filter
Direct Data Access
Enhanced photon counting modes

Critical for sustained vacuum integrity and to maintain unequalled cooling and
QE performance, year after year. Seven year vacuum warranty.
Intelligent algorithms to filter clock induced charge events from thebackground.
Camera Link output port to facilitate direct access to data for ‘on the fly’processing.
Intuitive single photon counting modes ideal for Quantum Imaging. Real timeor post-processing.

FPGA Timestamp Hardware generated timestamp with 10 ns accuracy.
ASTRO.control compatibility (Ultra only)

Redlogix ASTRO.control is a dedicated platform for control of astronomical
telescopes and instrumentation http://www.andor.com/astrocontrol.aspx

Quantum entanglement is now being studied with the aim of providing insight
into the practical applications of this phenomenon. Quantum cryptography,
communication and computing may soon rely on high-fidelity readouts ofentangled photons. To detect these single particles researchers must rely on themost sensitive detection as is provided by iXon Ultra EMCCD cameras.

Cold Atom & Ion Research
Our new blue-enhanced back-illuminated EMCCD sensor option is ideal for cold
atom imaging experiments such as blue-emitting Bose-Einstein Condensation(BEC), ion traps and degenerate matter studies. Single photon sensitivity enables
users to discern signals from single trapped ions and atoms.

Fast Astronomy
Extremely fast and ultra-sensitive performance of binned sub-regions make theiXon Ultra an ideal Shack Hartmann AO detector. The large FOV of the Ultra 888
and fast frame rate are ideal for Lucky / Speckle Imaging. Qualified down to-20oC ambient, perfect for night observation.

A phase transition and BEC formation in agas of erbium atoms imaged at 401 nm
matched by camera’s QE at approx. 75%.
Courtesy of K. Aikawa et al., University of
Innsbruck, Austria.

Tomography
Lens coupled or customer fibre coupled, the iXon Ultra provides the superlative
ultrasensitive, large array solution for fast tomography.

Fast Spectroscopy
The iXon Ultra has been a very valuable detector for fast spectroscopy
applications, such for rapid spectroscopic mapping or fast monitoring of fastchemical reactions. When operated in full vertical binning the cameras canbe pushed to thousands of spectra per second, accessing sub-ms dynamics.
The iXon Ultra camera models are fully compatible with Andor’s Kymera andShamrock range of high-end spectrographs.

The iXon Ultra 888 serves as the Focal
Plane Imager of the SOFIA telescope.
Courtesy of Pasquale Temi & E.E. Becklin,
NASA.

iXon Ultra 888 – Capture everything
3
3
3

3
3

4

Quantum entanglement, see Quantum
imaging finally saves Schrödinger’s cat.
Courtesy of Anton Zeilinger, Institutefor Quantum Optics and Quantum
Information, University of Vienna.

Extreme Sensitivity – capture, resolve and quantify extremely weak
structures.
Capture More – the 13.3 x 13.3 mm sensor of the Ultra 888 is well suited
to the optically useful FOV from a microscope.
3x Faster – more and more studies of cell processes require greater
temporal resolution. The Ultra 888 offers the fastest available EMCCD
readout capability.
Superb Image Quality – megapixel resolution and uniform backgrounds
for publication quality imaging.
2 in 1 – the Ultra 888 can operate as an EMCCD or a low noise CCD,
rendering it optimal for both fast and slow capture.

Magnetic fibrils that weave through thesolar chromosphere. Courtesy of Kevin
Reardon, National Solar Observatory.

5

Application Focus

EMCCD or sCMOS?

The Biologist’s Choice

Since the introduction of sCMOS technology by Andor, the question of the performancecomparison against the more established Electron Multiplying CCD (EMCCD) has been acommon one.

In applications such as single molecule microscopy, super-resolution, live cell microscopy (including confocal),calcium signalling, transport/motile imaging and intracellular bioluminescence, weak, rapidly changing
fluorescent signals from cells must be dynamically imaged. Andor’s iXon technology offers an ideal detection
solution. Ultra-sensitive detection capability in fluorescence microscopy facilitates use of lower excitation
powers (thereby reducing photobleaching and phototoxicity) and lower dye concentrations.

Single Molecule Detection
Andor’s iXon EMCCD has long been the gold standard detector of the biophysics
laboratory, and remains the dominant detector type, operating in a low light regime
that is less suited to sCMOS cameras. The 3x accelerated 30 MHz readout speed of
the iXon Ultra 888, especially combined with ‘Optically Centred Crop Mode’, meansthat dynamic single molecule processes can be better characterized. The 13 µm pixel
provides superb resolving capability at the diffraction limit.

Spinning disk confocal
The iXon Ultra 888 is the ultimate detector to drive stunning performance from
confocal spinning disk technology. Whilst affording superb confocality and low rates ofphototoxicity, spinning disk experiments are inherently photon starved, by virtue of thephoton rejection implicit to optical sectioning.

Single molecule imaging mRNA (red),
during translation, and proteins, FLAGKDM5B (green) and HA-KDM5B (blue).
Courtesy of Timothy J. Stasevich, IGAF,
Colorado State University.

Being a very fast, low noise technology, sCMOS
does hold some potential to offer an alternativetechnology across some applications andtechniques, including to an extent, TIRF
microscopy. Whilst the read noise of sCMOS is
Zyla 5.5very low compared to CCDs, EMCCD technology sCMOS
2x2 binned
holds the distinct advantage of being able to(13 µm)practically eliminate read noise, rendering themsingle photon sensitive.

490 photons
per pixel

68 photons
per pixel

8 photons
per pixel

After a few years of sCMOS being tested in themarket, we are concluding that the primary light
Backstaved applications for which EMCCDs were
illuminatedoriginally purchased, such as single molecule
EMCCD(13 µm)detection and low light spinning disk confocal
microscopy, are continuing to strongly benefit
from this ultrasensitive technology. EMCCDs
offer a raw sensitivity that cannot be surpassed
Images at a range of incident light intensity, acquired using backin the very low light regime.
illuminated EMCCD iXon 888 and Zyla 5.5 sCMOS cameras (2x2binned pixels). At low light intensities, the Signal to Noise Ratio
advantage of the EMCCD is apparent (in this example the 8 photons
per pixel images).

The superior sensitivity of the iXon Ultra detector brings these low light images to life.

Luminescence

Zyla 4.2 Plus 2x2 Binned

SRRF-Stream+

3
3
3
3
3

3D STORM image of actin
cytoskeleton (AF647-phalloidin) in
COS-7 cell. Colour codes for z-depth.
Image courtesy of Xiaowei Zhuang,
Harvard University.

Real Time – enhanced workflow, avoids post-processing. View in ‘Live Mode’.
Low Excitation Intensities – prolonged live cell observations & accurate physiology.
Conventional Fluorophores– simple labelling, no photo-switching required.
Live Cell Dynamics – full FOV super-res images every 1-2 secs. > 10 fps using ROI.
Cost-Effective – convert conventional fluorescence microscopes to super-resolution
microscopes.

610

iXon Ultra 888

20

Photons
per pixel

140

Photons
per pixel

1
10

0.1

Andor’s new “SRRF-Stream+” provides even better performance. The original SRRFStream, localization was limited to 6-axes, which provided a compromise of image
quality and speed for most datasets. However. for SRRF-Stream+ it has been possible to Spinning disk confocal image (right) ofa mouse embryo section with F-actin
increase the axes of radiality to 24, by maximising GPU processing, enhancing image
quality with minimal impact to speed. Find out more in the SRRF-Stream+ technical note. (AF568-phalloidin), membrane
Users of the original SRRF-Stream can upgrade to the new SRRF-Stream+ using an
updater utility from their local Andor product support.

Log10 (Signal to Noise Ratio)

The iXon Ultra can be used in either single photon counting mode (EM amplifier) or inslow scan, deep cooled CCD mode (CCD amplifier) as a highly sensitive and flexible
detector in this typically long exposure, extreme low light application.

Exclusive to compatible Andor cameras, SRRF-Stream leverages GPU optimization to
greatly increase processing of the SRRF algorithm This makes it possible to perform
super-resolution microscopy on conventional modern fluorescence microscopes in realtime!

Zyla 5.5 2x2 Binned

100

100

1000

Log10(Photons per pixel)

Plot of Signal to Noise Ratio versus Incident Photon Intensity, comparing a backilluminated EMCCD iXon 888 (13 µm pixel size) to 2x2 binned Zyla sCMOS cameras(13 µm pixel size after binning)glycoproteins (AF488-WGA), and DNA(DAPI) labelling.

7

iXon Ultra 888 Frame Rates

Technical Specifications
System Specifications•2

Ultra 888

Standard Mode•3,9Ultra 897

Active pixels

1024 x 1024

512 x 512

Pixel size

13 x 13 μm

16 x 16 μm

Image area

13.3 x 13.3 mm with 100% fill factor

8.2 x 8.2 mm with 100% fill factor•3

10 MHz-80ºC-95ºC

30 MHz-60ºC-75ºC

10 MHz-80ºC-100ºC

512 x 512

256 x 256128 x 128

1024 x 100

1024 x 32

1024 x 1

26

50

95

171

220

498

1163

2x2

50

94

170

285

368

699

-

4x4

92

167

281

426

552

870

-

1024 x 32

1024 x 1

Binning

17 MHz-80ºC-100ºC

Grade 1 sensor from supplier. Camera blemishes as defined by Andor Grade A

Digitization
USB 3.0

1x1

93 (78)190 (251)

670 (697)

2053 (1319)

259

778

9690

2x2

170 (143)

350 (426)

1150 (1019)

3123 (1646)

492

1416

-

4x4

291 (245)

601 (653)

1772 (1504)

4109 (1857)

887

2370

-

512 x 512

256 x 256128 x 128

64 x 64

512 x 100

512 x 32

512 x 1

56

110

212

398

267

708

2,881

2x2

109

210

394

699

486

1,141

-

4x4

206

385

682

1,109

820

1,615

-

Binning

256 x 256128 x 128

64 x 64

32 x 32

512 x 100

512 x 32

512 x 1

1x1

111 (174)595 (569)

1,433 (1,490)

3,533 (3,021)

282

857

11,0742x2215 (329)

1,094 (1,013)

2,481 (2,325)

5,555 (4,048)

541

1,607

-

4x4

405 (593)

1 ,883 (1,661)

3,906 (3,236)

7,751 (4,878)

1,005

2,865

-

C-mount

Direct Data Access

1024 x 100

1x1

USB 2.0

Lens Mount

64 x 64

Crop Mode - Optically Centred frame rates in brackets•10

16-bit (at all speeds)•12

PC Interface

128 x 128

Binning#BV: UV-grade fused silica, Broadband Visible-Near Infrared, 0.5 degree wedge
UVB, EXF: UV-grade fused silica, Broadband Vacuum Ultraviolet-Near Infrared, 0.5 degree wedge#BB: UV-grade fused silica, Broadband Vacuum Ultraviolet-Near Infrared, 0.5 degree wedge

Blemish specification

256 x 256

Standard Mode•10

Internal, External, External Start, External Exposure, Software Trigger

Triggering

512 x 512

iXon Ultra 897 Frame Rates± 0.01°C

Thermostatic Precision

System window type1024 x 1024

1x1

Crop Mode - Optically Centred frame rates in brackets•3,9Available on EXF sensor option

Fringe Suppression

Pixel Readout Rate
Minimum temperature, aircooled, ambient 20°C
Chiller liquid cooling, coolant@ 10°C, >0.75l/min

Binning#BV: Back Illuminated, standard AR coated
UVB: Back Illuminated, standard AR with additional lumogen coating
EXF: Back illuminated, dual AR coated with fringe suppression#BB: Back-illuminated, blue optimized AR coatedSensor QE options

Camera Link 3-tap output

Advanced Performance Specifications •2
Ultra 888

Ultra 897

0.000250.000110.000300.00015

Quantum Efficiency (QE) Curves

Dark current and background events•4,5

Dark current (e-/pixel/sec) @ -80°C
Dark current (e-/pixel/sec) @ max cooling
Spurious background (events/pix) @ 1000x
gain / -85°C
Active area pixel well depth

0.005

0.001880,000 e-

180,000 e-#BV

Most sensitivity 480 to 690nm.

UVB

Optimized specifically for UV region.

#EXF

•11

Blue-optimized sensor option for
quantum and BEC studies
Blue Spectrum Emissions

For the broadest response.

Er
Mg

800,000 e-

EM Amplifier: 30, 20, 10 & 1 MHz
Conventional Amplifier: 1 & 0.1 MHz

EM Amplifier: 17, 10, 5 & 1 MHz
Conventional Amplifier: 3, 1 & 0.08 MHz

90

EMCCD
Amplifier

EMCCD
AmplifierConventional
AmplifierConventional
Amplifier

MHz

30

20

10

1

1

0.1

17

10

5

1

3

1

0.08

Without Electron Multiplication

130

80

40

12

6

3.5

89

65

37

15

9.6

5.3

2.7

<1

<1

<1

<1

-

-

<1

<1

<1

<1

-

-

-

With Electron Multiplication
Linear absolute Electron Multiplier gain#BB

1 - 1000 times via RealGain™ (calibration stable at all cooling temperatures)

80

80

70

70
Quantum efficiency (%)

Read noise (e-)•7

60
50
40
UVB

30

Vertical clock speed
Timestamp accuracy
NEW SRRF-Stream+ mode
8

Better than 99.9%
0.6 to 4.33 µs (user selectable)

0.3 to 3.33 µs (user selectable)

50

30

10

10

300

400

500

600

700

800

Wavelength (nm)

900

1000

1100

1200

20%

#BB sensor option
has up to 20% better
sensitivity across theblue spectrum

40

20

200

up
to

60

20

0

Linearity•8

Sr

#EXF

Quantum efficiency (%)

Pixel readout rates

Dy

#BV

#BV

730,000 e-

Ca

100

100
90

Gain register pixel well depth•6,7

Yb

0
275

325

375

425

475

525

575

625

675

725

775

825

Wavelength (nm)10 ns
Optional
9

Product Drawings

Creating The Optimum Product for You
Step 1.

CameraType
Step 2.

SensorType

Choose the camera type
Description

CodeiXon Ultra 888: 1024 x 1024 EMCCD, max. 30 MHz, with USB 3.0

DU-888U3-CS0-

Dimensions in mm [inches]

iXon Ultra 897: 512 x 512 EMCCD, max. 17 MHz, with USB 2.0
DU-897U-CS0Add sensor type code to camera code (see step 2)
NOTE: If SRRF-Stream+ real time super-resolution functionality is required with your iXon Ultra, please order as an‘accessory’ in step 4 below.

iXon Ultra 888

iXon Ultra 897

Choose the sensor type option
Description

Code

Description

CodeBack-illuminated, standard AR coated#BV

Back-illuminated, EX2 dual AR coated withfringe suppression

EXF

Back Illuminated, standard AR with additional
lumogen coating

UVB

NEW Back-illuminated, blue optimized AR
coated#BB

Add sensor type code to camera code (step 1)

Step 3.

Select an alternative camera window (optional)

CameraWindow

The standard window has been selected to satisfy most applications. However, other options are available. The
alternative camera window code must be specified at time of ordering.
To view and select other window options please refer to the ‘Camera Windows Supplementary Specification Sheet’
which gives the transmission characteristics, product codes and procedure for entering the order. Further detailed
information on the windows is in the Technical note – ‘Camera Windows: Optimizing for Different Spectral Regions’.

Step 4.

Select the required accessories
Description

Accessories

SRRF-Stream+ real time super-resolutionfunctionality, compatible with iXon Ultra and iXon LifeEMCCD platforms. Camera must be connected toacquisition PC workstation containing an Nvidia GPU
card (compute capability v3.0, or above, and 4GB or
greater on-board GPU RAM).

SRRFSTREAMIXON

SRRF-Stream Dell Workstation (English), pre-installedwith a recommended and tested GPU card, alongside
SRRF-Stream enabled MicroManager and Andor
SDK2 with SRRF-Stream.

WKST-SRRF9ZY

Monitor (optional) - Dell UltraSharp U3417W - 34.14”
Curved LED

FUS-MNTR34W

Dell UltraSharp UP3017 - 30” with PremierColorFUSMNTR-30

OptoMask accessory, used to mask unwanted sensor
area during Crop Mode acquisition (refer to OptoMask
Specification Sheet for further information).

Step 5.

Software10

Order CodeOPTMSK-L/
OPTMSKOC-L/
OPTMSKOC-S

Description

Order CodeRe-circulator for enhanced cooling
performance

XW-RECR

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

ACC-XWCHIL-160

6 mm tubing options for ACC-XW-CHIL-160(2x2.5 m or 2x5m lengths)

ACC-6MMTUBING-2X2.5/
ACC-6MMTUBING-2X5M

C-mount to Nikon F-mount adapter

OA-CNAF

C-mount to Olympus adapter

OA-COFM

C-mount to T-mount adapter

OA-CTOT

15 m Active USB 3.0 connector cable (power
supply not required) Icron for Ultra 888

ACC-ASE-06887

50 m Fibre Optic USB 3.0 extender solutioninc. power supply (Adnaco) for Ultra 888

ACC-ASE-08762

100 m Fibre Optic USB 3.0 extender solutioninc. power supply (Adnaco) for Ultra 888

ACC-ASE-07860

Select the required software
The iXon Ultra series requires one of the following software options:
Solis Imaging: A 32-bit and fully 64-bit enabled application for Windows (8, 8.1 and 10) offering rich functionality fordata acquisition and processing. AndorBasic provides macro language control of data acquisition, processing, display
and export.
Andor SDK: A software development kit that allows you to control the Andor range of cameras from your own
application. Available as 32 and 64-bit libraries for Windows (8, 8.1 and 10), compatible with C/C++, C#, Delphi, VB.NET,LabVIEW and Matlab. Linux SDK compatible with C/C++.
Andor iQ A comprehensive multi-dimensional imaging software package. Offers tight synchronization of EMCCD with acomprehensive range of microscopy hardware, along with comprehensive rendering and analysis functionality. Modular
architecture for best price/performance package on the market.
Third party software compatibility, drivers are available for a variety of third party imaging packages.
For SRRF-Stream+ the iXon must be operated either through MicroManager (Open Imaging) open source microscopy
software platform, or through the Andor SDK, if SRRF-Stream functionality is to be accessed.

Weight 3.7 Kg

Weight 3.7 Kg

Ultra 888 Power Requirements

Ultra 897 Power Requirements

•
•
•
•

•
•
•
•

Power Input: +12 VDC ± 5% @ 8 A
Power Consumption: 96 W max
Ripple and noise: 120 mV max (peak-peak 0 - 20 MHz)
External Power Supply: 100 - 240 VAC 50/60 Hz

Power Input: +12 VDC ± 5% @ 6 A
Power Consumption: 72 W max
Ripple and noise: 120 mV max (peak-peak 0 - 20 MHz)
External Power Supply: 100 - 240 VAC 50/60 Hz

Logic: Connector type: 26 way D Type with 8 programmable digital inputs or outputs for control and sensing of up to 8 external devices,
Minimum cable clearance required: 90 mm, Weight: 3.7 kg [8 lb 3 oz] approx.
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) 6732 8968
Fax +44 (28) 9031 0792			
Fax +81 (3) 6732 8939
North America				China
Concord, MA, USA 				Beijing
Phone +1 (860) 290 9211			
Phone +86 (10) 5884 7900
Fax +1 (860) 290 9566			
Fax +86 (10) 5884 7901

Items shipped with your iXon Ultra 888:

Footnotes: Specifications are subject to change without notice

1. Assembled in a state-of-the-art cleanroom facility, Andor’s UltraVac™ vacuum process combines a permanent hermetic
vacuum seal (no o-rings), with a stringent protocol to minimize outgassing, including use of proprietary materials.
2. Figures are typical unless otherwise stated.
3. At 30 MHz overclocked pixel readout rate, thermal dissipation from the sensor is higher since a greater proportion of timeis spent vertical shifting, and it is necessary to set a higher sensor cooling temperature at this rate. Furthermore, stablecooling performance will depend on other variables such as vertical clock speed, Region of Interest size (Standard or
Crop Mode) and ambient temp. As such, user testing is advised to determine the stable sensor cooling temperature forselected conditions. Status of temperature stability is apparent through the acquisition software.
4. The dark current measurement is averaged over the sensor area excluding any regions of blemishes.
5. Using Electron Multiplication the iXon is capable of detecting single photons, therefore the true camera detection limit isset by the number of ‘dark’ background events. These events consist of both residual thermally generated electrons andClock Induced Charge (CIC) electrons (also referred to as Spurious Noise), each appearing as random single spikes above
the read noise floor. A thresholding scheme is employed to count these single electron events and is quoted as a
Items shipped with your iXon Ultra 897:
probability of an event per pixel. Acquisition conditions are full resolution and max frame rate (30 MHz readout; frametransfer mode; 1.1 µs vertical clock speed; x 1000 EM gain; 10 ms exposure; -95°C).
1x Andor ACZ-03463: 2 m Multi I/O timing
6. The EM register on CCD201 sensors has a linear response up to ~400,000 electrons and a full well depth of ~730,000
cable, offering Fire, External Trigger, Shutter
electrons.
and Arm
7. Readout noise is for the entire system. It is a combination of sensor readout noise and A/D noise. Measurement is for1x 3m USB 2.0 cable Type A to Type B
Single Pixel readout with the sensor at a temperature of -75°C and minimum exposure time under dark conditions. Under
1x Power supply unit with mains cable
Electron Multiplying conditions, the effective system readout noise is reduced to sub 1 e- levels.
8. Linearity is measured from a plot of counts vs. exposure time under constant photon flux up to the saturation point of the
1x Quick Start guidesystem, at 10 MHz readout speed.
1x Electronic copy of user manuals
9. All measurements are made at 30 MHz pixel readout speed with 0.6 µs vertical clock speed. It also assumes internal
1x SRRF-Stream Quick Start guide (if applicable)
trigger mode of operation. Standard and Crop Mode frame rates shown are for ‘Corner Tethered’ ROIs, with ‘Optically
1x Individual system performance booklet
Centred’ ROI frame rates shown within brackets.
10.
All measurements are made at 17 MHz pixel readout speed with 0.3 μs vertical clock speed. It also assumes internal
Recommended Computer Requirements:
trigger mode of operation. Standard and Crop Mode frame rates shown are for ‘Corner Tethered’ ROIs, with ‘Optically• 3.0 GHz single core or 2.6 GHz multi core
Centred’ ROI frame rates shown within brackets.
processor
11. Quantum efficiency of the sensor at 25°C, as supplied by the sensor manufacturer.
• 2 GB RAM
12. iXon Ultra 888 should work with any modern USB 3.0 enabled PC/laptop, as every USB 3.0 port should have its own hostcontroller. iXon Ultra 888 also ships with a USB 3.0 PCI card as a means to add a USB 3.0 port to an older PC, or as a
• 100 MB free disc space to install software (atdiagnostic aid to interoperability issues.
least 1 GB recommended for data spooling)

1x Andor ACZ-03463: 2m Multi I/O timing
cable, offering Fire, External Trigger, Shutterand Arm
1x 3m USB 3.0 cable Type A to Type B•12
PCIe USB 3.0 Card Adapter (2-Port)
1x Power supply unit with mains cable
1x Quick Start guide
1x Electronic copy of user manuals
1x SRRF-Stream Quick Start guide (if applicable)
1x Individual system performance booklet• USB 3.0 Super Speed Host Controller capable
Operating & Storage Conditionsof a sustained rate of 60MB/s for iXon Ultra 888 • Operating Temperature: -20°C to 30°C
• USB 2.0 High Speed Host Controller capable ofambient
sustained rate of 40MB/s for iXon Ultra 897• Relative Humidity: < 70% (non• Solid-state drive (SSD) capable of a minimum
condensing)sustained write speed of 100MB/S for spooling data • Storage Temperature: -25°C to 50°C
• Windows (8.1 and 10) or LinuxPower Requirements• SRRF-Stream+ - If selected, the PC requires• Please refer to page 11
a Nvidia GPU card. See page 10 for further
details.

FM40523

EMS91062

OHS502497

LiXonUltraSS 0523 R1