iKon-XL 230
Very Large Area Astronomy CCD
Key Specifications

Key Applications

P -100°C TE Cooling (ColdSpaceTM)
P Up to 4 MHz readout (quad port)
P 18-bit Extended Dynamic Range
P 16.8 Megapixel sensor (CCD230-84)
P 3.8 e- read noise
P 150,000 e- well depth
P 61.4 x 61.4 mm2 imaging area

P Large sky surveys
P Exoplanet studies
P Asteroid observations
P Photometry
P Astro-spectroscopy
P X-ray astronomy
P Variable stars

andor.oxinst.com

Introducing iKon-XL 230
Extreme performance, no hassle...
Andor’s iKon-XL is a TE-cooled, very large area CCD camera platform, accommodatinglarge field of view sensors that are ideally suited to long exposure astronomy applications.
Patent-pending ColdSpaceTM technology thermoelectrically cools a back-illuminated 16.8
Megapixel sensor (Teledyne e2v) down to -100oC, avoiding the requirement for liquid nitrogenor unreliable cryo coolers. Extended Dynamic Range technology is complemented by up to18-bit digitization. Flexible connectivity is standard through either USB 3.0 or a long distancedirect fibre optic interface. iKon-XL is a high quality, robust and ‘hassle-free’ detector
solution, designed to operate with low maintenance and exceptional longevity, perfect for
remote observing sites.
The iKon-XL 230 model uses the Teledyne e2v CCD230-84 back-illuminated sensor, offeringa very large 61.4 x 61.4 mm2 imaging area from a 4096 x 4108 array format and 15 μm
pixel size, ideal for applications such as Astronomy or X-ray/Neutron radiography.

Low Maintenance Advantage
3NO liquid nitrogen (LN2) – LN2 cooled cameras require readyaccess to LN2 supply and routine top up of LN2 levels in orderto hold temperature, as well as carrying an additional safetyconcern. Many observatories are in remote locations and insome cases unmanned, making LN2 at best impractical, at worst
impossible.

3

NO cryo cooler – as many are already painfully aware, cryocoolers are cumbersome and notoriously unreliable. iKon-XL canreach typical cryo-cooled temperatures using only TE cooling andwater supply.

3No vacuum re-pumping – the iKon-XL sensor enclosure design isbased on Andor’s proven, proprietary UltraVacTM process, which
carries a Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) value of > 100 years!
Where other very large area CCD cameras require routine repumping, expect the iKon-XL to hold firm!

3

Field replaceable shutter - No shutter is designed or specified for
infinite usage! When it finally fails in a remote observing location,
the shutter mounting of the iKon-XL has been purposefully
designed such that the shutter can be easily replaced by the useron site.

Extended Dynamic Range Technology
CCD cameras always require software selection of amplifier gain to optimize either for low noise (weaksignal) OR max well depth (bright signal). Not both…
…until now. iKon-XL utilizes proprietary Andor CCD know-how to offer low read noise AND large well depth
in one image, with only one gain setting.

2

Features and Benefits
FeatureThermoelectric Cooling to -100oC(Liquid/Water)
61.4 x 61.4 mm sensor
Extended Dynamic Range (18-bit)

BenefitPatent-pending ColdSpaceTM very large area TE cooling technology avoids need for liquid
nitrogen or unreliable cryo coolers. Minimization of dark current to below the zodiacal
background.
Very large field of view from 16.8 Megapixel, 15 mm pixel pitch sensor.
Unique method to achieve low noise and high well depth within one scan. Supplementedby up to 18-bit digitization.

Peak QE over 95%•1

High photon collection efficiency for maximizing SNR.

Low noise readout

Intelligent low-noise electronics offer the most ‘silent’ system noise available from the230-84 sensor.

UltravacTM•2‘Deep Cooled’ and ‘Flexi’ versions
Fibre-optic or USB 3.0 interface flexibility
Balanced Quad-port readout

Critical for sustained vacuum integrity and to maintain unequalled cooling and QE
performance, year after year (5 year vacuum warranty).
‘Deep Cooled’ for -100oC water/liquid (no air cooling).
‘Flexi’ for combined -80oC water/liquid or -60oC air cooled.
Built-in robust plug and play interface options as standard. Fibre optic for long distancesolution.
Tracking stability to ensure all readout circuits experience same temperature andoperating conditions.

Multiple readout speeds, up to 4 MHz

Slower readout for lowest noise, faster speeds for more rapid readout and focusing.

Field replaceable shutter

No shutter is designed or specified for infinite usage! When it finally fails in a remoteobserving location, it can be easily replaced on site.

IRIG-B GPS timestamp
Fully enclosed casing (deep cooled model)
Easy reference column access

Image GPS timestamp with 10 ms resolution for network integration.
Reduced thermal bloom; minimal effect on nearby optics.
Easy and flexible software access to dark (shielded) reference columns.

Windows, Linux & Labview

Andor’s user-friendly SDK supports both Windows and Linux OS. LabView VI packageavailable.

ASTRO control compatibility

Redlogix ASTRO.control is a dedicated platform for control of astronomical telescopes
and instrumentation andor.oxinst.com/astrocontrol

Quantum Efficiency Curve •1

The iKon-XL 230 is available with:
BV: Mid-band AR coating (providing
exceptionally high QE in the visiblerange)

3Technical Specifications
System Specifications •3
BV: CCD230-84 sensor, mid band AR coatingSensor Options

4096 (H) x 4108 (V)PixelsPixel size

15 x 15 μm

Image area

61.4 x 61.4 mm with 100% fill factor

Minimum temperatures •4@ coolant temperature of 10ºC
@ coolant temperature of 16ºC
air cooled (@20°C ambient)

Deep Cooled Model-100ºC-95ºC
N/AFlexi Model-80ºC
-75ºC
-60ºC

Blemish specification

Grade 1 sensor from supplier.

System window type

Single AR coated UV grade fused silica window (>98% transmission)

Advanced Performance Specifications •3
Dark Current, e-/pixel/sec•5@ -600C@ -800C0@ -100 C (Deep Cooled Model only)

0.00090.00009
0.00006

Active area pixel well depth (typical)

150,000 e0.1, 1, 2, 4 MHz

Pixel readout rates
Read Noise (e-)

100 kHz3.81 MHz8.52 MHz
12.0

Peak QE •1>95% for BV models

Binning

User definable

4 MHz
23.0

User definable (centred in 4-output mode)

Region of Interest (windowing mode)
Linearity

Better than 99%Digitization

16-bit (all speeds)
18-bit (100 kHz and 1 MHz)
Quad or Single

Outputs

IRIG-B GPS with 10 ms resolution

Timestamp

Frame Rates •6
Array size
Readout
Rate (Mhz) 4096 x 4112 2048 x 2048 1024 x 1024

4512 x 512

40.437

0.658

0.877

1.050

20.288

0.474

0.695

0.909

10.181

0.319

0.512

0.736

0.1

0.023

0.044

0.086

0.160

Binning

Readout rate (MHz)
421

0.1

1x1

0.44

0.29

0.18

0.02

2x2

0.66

0.55

0.43

0.04

4x4

0.88

0.82

0.73

0.09

8x8

1.05

1.03

0.99

0.16

16x16

1.17

1.16

1.14

0.28

Flexible Connectivity
1 USB 3.0USB 3.0 offers a robust high speed plug and play data interface

2 TTL / Logic

2

3Connector type: SMB, provided with SMB - BNC cable
Fire (Output), External Trigger (Input), Shutter (Output)W

123 IC

Compatible with Fischer SC102A054-130Shutter (TTL), I2C Clock, I2C Data, +5 Vdc, Ground

44 Fibre Optic
Long distance connection via LC Fibre-optic I/O connection

5 IRIG-B
Compatible with IRIG-B standard (GPS with 10 ms resolution)

W Water CoolingW

5Connection to recirculator or other water/liquid cooling system

PP PowerConnection to Camera Control Unit (supplied) refer to power
requirements on page 8Notes: Minimum cable clearance required at rear of camera 150 mm

Sensor Cosmetic Specifications
Sensor Grade 1

Guaranteed Specifications

Typical Values

Column defect (black or white)

10<3White spots

800

<400

Total (black & white) spots

1500

<750

Traps > 200e-15<10Definitions
A defect is counted as a white spot if the dark generation rate is ≥ 5 e-/pixel/s at
White spots 173 K (also equivalent to ≥ 100 e-/hour at 153 K). The temperature dependence
is the same for the mean dark signal
Black spots

A black spot defect is a pixel with a photo-response less than 50% of the local
meanColumn defects

A column is counted as a defect if it contains at least 100 white or dark single
pixel defects

TrapsA trap causes charge to be temporarily held in a pixel and these are counted as
defects if the quantity of trapped charge is greater than 200 e-Defectexclusion zone

Defect measurements are excluded from the outer two rows and columns of thesensor*Sensor specifications provided by Teledyne-e2v

5Creating the Optimum Product for You
XL- EA01 - DS
example shown

Step 1.

SensorType

Step 3.

Choose the sensor type option
Description

Code

16.8 Megapixel CCD230-84 Back
Illuminated Sensor. BV: Mid-band AR
coatingEA01

Accessories

Cooling

Choose the cooling option
Description

CodeFlexi Cooling model(max. cooling -80ºC @ coolant temp of
10ºC; -60ºC max. with air cooling)C

Deep Cooled model(max. cooling -100ºC @ coolant temp of
10ºC)

D

Select shutter option

Shutter

Step 4.

Step 2.

Description

CodeWith Shutter

S

Without Shutter

0

Select the required accessories
DescriptionCode

15 m camera cable with straight attachment for the CCU-500A (iKon-XL Flexi model)
If this is ordered it will be provided instead of the standard 5 m cable.

XL-F-CAB-ST-15M

15 m camera cable with straight attachment for the CCU-500B (iKon-XL Deep Cooled model)
If this is ordered it will be provided instead of the standard 5 m cable.

XL-DC-CAB-ST-15M

25 m fibre optic cable, LC-LC patch lead OM2 (Standard supplied fibre is 15 m).

FIBR-25M

100 m fibre optic cable, LC-LC patch lead OM3 (Standard supplied fibre is 15 m).

FIBR-100M

Hard shell protective transport case for the iKon-XL Flexi model. Tailored to dimensions of the iKon-XL Flexi
model for secure transport to and from observing sites.

XL-F-TRANS-CASE

Hard shell protective transport case for the iKon-XL Deep Cooled model. Tailored to dimensions of the iKon-XL
Deep Cooled model for secure transport to and from observing sites.

XL-DC-TRANS-CASE

Please contact your local sales representative regarding other options such as different mounting types, camera
window options or other customizations you may require for system integration or your specific application.

Step 5.

Select the required software
The iKon-XL requires at least one of the following software options:
Solis for Imaging A 32-bit and fully 64-bit enabled application for Windows (8.1 and 10) offering complete functionality fordata acquisition and processing. AndorBasic provides macro language control of data acquisition, processing, display andexport.

SoftwareAndor SDK 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.
Third party software compatibility Drivers are available so that the iKon-XL can be operated through a large variety of third
party imaging packages. See: andor.oxinst.com/third-party-software-matrix

6Mechanical Drawings
Dimensions in mm

Deep Cooled Model
4 X 2 OFFMOUNTING HOLES
1/4"-20 UNC X 10.0 [0.39] DEEPPIXEL 1,1

SHUTTER APERTURE
90.0 [3.543]

196.0 7.72
MOUNTING HOLE POSITION°

200.0 7.87

22.50

25.4 1.00

8 OFF
M5 TAPPED HOLES
X 20 [0.787] DEEPON 189.0 [7.441] PCD

TRIGGERFIRE

SHUTTER

I²C

USB 3.0

2 OFF 6MM QUICK RELEASE
WATER CONNECTORS(1/4" BARBED WATER
CONNECTORS SUPPLIED)LC
FIBRE OPTIC I/O

IRIG-B

POWER
196.0 7.72
MOUNTING HOLE POSITION

29.3 1.15

36.0 ±0.5 1.42 ±0.02
FOCAL PLANE
115.4 4.54
237.3 9.34

Weight (approx): 12 kg [26 lbs 7]

274.5 10.81

Flexi Model
67.7 2.66

TRIGGER
150.0 5.91

22.5°

4 OFF
MOUNTING HOLES
1/4"-20 UNC X 10.0 [0.39] DEEP

149.0 5.87
MOUNTING HOLE
POSITION

8 OFF
M5 TAPPED HOLES
X 20 DEEP [0.787]
ON 189.0 [7.44] PCD

200.0 7.87

SHUTTER APERTURE
90.0 [3.543]

FIRE

SHUTTER I²C
2 OFF 6MM QUICK RELEASE
WATER CONNECTORS(1/4" BARBED WATER
CONNECTORS SUPPLIED)USB 3.0LC
FIBRE-OPTIC I/O
IRIG-BPIXEL 1,1POWER

149.0 5.87
MOUNTING HOLE
POSITION

33.5 ±0.5 1.32 ±0.02
FOCAL PLANE
39.1 1.54
240.2 9.46
277.4 10.92

Weight (approx): 8.25 kg [18lbs 3]

Camera Control Unit CCU-500•7370.0 14.57

Switch-Display Diagnostics

Power input

Warning LEDs

BNC
Camera cable outlet-Remote Shut-down

3x Fans284.2 11.19

87.5 3.44
94.6 3.72

270.0 10.63

0Weight (approx): 6.6 kg [14 lbs 5]

Note: Product drawings of models without shutter can be found at andor.oxinst.com/xl-product-drawings

7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
1x Fibre Optic PCIe card
1x USB 3 PCIe card
1x iKon-XL camera control unit •7
1x Camera power lead (5 m)
3x BNC-SMA cable (2 m)
1x USB 3.0 cable (3 m)
1x Fibre Optic lead (15 m)
1x Quick Start Guide
1x Individual system perfomance booklet(Note: PC requires 1x slot for installationof a PCIe card)

Minimum Computer Requirements:Footnotes

1. Quantum efficiency as supplied by the sensor manufacturer.
2. Assembled in a state-of-the-art facility, Andor’s UltraVac™ vacuum process combines a permanent hermetic
vacuum seal (no o-rings), with a stringent protocol and proprietary materials to minimize outgassing.
Outgassing is the release of trapped gases that would otherwise degrade cooling performance andpotentially cause sensor failure.
3. Figures are typical, unless otherwise stated.
4. Specified minimum temperature with coolant assumes coolant temperature of 10°C or 16°C, measured atcamera head. Note that cooling performance may be affected by distance between camera head andcooler. Air cooling specification is based at sea level, if the camera is to be used at high altitude pleasecontact Andor for further guidance.
5. Dark current measurement is averaged over the CCD area, excluding any regions with blemishes.
6. The frame rates shown are for a range of binning or array size combinations. All measurements are
made with 179 μs vertical shift speed and using the quad output. It also assumes internal trigger mode ofoperation and minimum exposure time.
7. Camera Control Unit (CCU-500) supplied with brackets for 19 inch rack mounting and mounting lugs forsecuring to optical tables.

Operating & Storage Conditions:• 3.0 GHz single core or 2.4 GHz dual or• Operating Temperature: 0°C to +30°C ambient
quad core processor• Operating Altitude: up to 6000 m• 2 GB RAM• Relative Humidity: <70% (non-condensing)• 250 MB free hard disc to install software • Storage Temperature: -25°C to 50°C
(at least 1 GB recommended for dataspooling)• USB 3.0 High Speed host Controller
Power Requirements:
capable of sustained rate of 60 MB/s
• 100 - 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz• Windows (8.1 and 10) or Linux• Power consumption:• Flexi models: Camera Head (inc.ExternalPower Supply) 240 V/100 V (Typ.): 165/180 W
Deep Cooled models: Camera Head (inc ExternalPower Supply) 240 V/100 V (Typ): 465/480 W

FM40523

EMS91062

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Labview is a registered trademark of National Instruments.
Matlab is a registered trademark of The MathWorks Inc.

iKonXL230SS 0824 R1