iKon-M/L SO Series

OPEN-FRONT CCDs

DIRECT DETECTIONIMAGING
Key Specifications• 1 MP or large area 4.2 MP sensors• Peak QE up to 95% (soft x-ray
region• High resolution 13x13 or
13.5x13.5 µm pixels• TE-cooling down to -100°C• Readout noise as low as 2.9 e• Labview and EPICS compatibility

Key Applications
P VUV/EUV/XUV Imaging
P X-Ray Imaging
P X-Ray Microscopy
P X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)
P X-Ray Plasma Imaging
P X-Ray source characterization
P X-Ray Phase Contrast Imaging
P X-Ray Tomography
P High Harmonic Generation (HHG)
P Crystallography

INTRODUCINGIKON-M & -L SO
High Resolution, High Sensitivity and High Dynamic Range‘Direct’ Detection
Andor’s iKon series offers outstanding sensitivity performance through a combination of > 95% QE
back-illuminated sensors, low noise readout electronics and industry-leading, maintenance-free deep
TE-cooling down to -100°C. It features high resolution 1 and 4.2 Megapixel large area sensor options(with 13 and 13.5 µm pixels respectively) for simultaneous high dynamic range and high spatial
resolution imaging in the VUV and soft x-ray range.
A convenient 16-point, knife-edge sealed 6” rotatable CF-152 flange provides a robust and highlyeffective seal to any compatible vacuum chamber interface. The iKon-M and -L also offer a USB2
interface and Labview or EPICS compatibility for seamless integration into complex setups.

Meet the FamilyNEWiKon-M SO
Sensor
Cooling
Peak QE
Read Noise
Pixel Well Depth
Frame Rate
Mounting

•
•
•
•
•
•
•

1 MP (13 µm pixels)-100°C TE cooling>95%
Down to 2.9 eUp to 100 000 e4.4 fps
DN100CF / 6” CF / CF-152
rotatable flange and knife-edge

iKon-L SO
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

4.2 MP (13.5 µm pixels)-100°C TE cooling>95%
Down to 2.9 eUp to 150 000 e0.953 fps
DN100CF / 6” CF / CF-152
flange and knife-edge

iKon-XL SO*
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

16.8 MP (15 µm pixels)-75°C TE cooling>95%
Down to 2.1 eUp to 350 000 eUp to 0.5 fps (full frame)
DN160CF / 8” CF / CF-203 rotatableflange and knife-edge

13.3 x 13.3 mm
27.6 x 27.6 mm

61.4 x 61.7 mm
Above: Comparison of the sensor size of the iKon family (actual size).
* For more information about the iKon XL platform, please go to www.andor.com/scientific-cameras/high-energy-detection
2

FEATURES & BENEFITS
FeatureBenefit

Open-front end

DN100CF / 6” CF / CF-152 flange and knife-edge sealing provided as standard for directinterfacing to vacuum chambers (rotatable design for iKon-M models).

1 MP and 4.2 MP sensor options

Choice of acquisition speed or large field-of-view to best match experimental needs.

13 x 13 and 13.5 x 13.5 µm pixel size options

Ideal balance of dynamic range and resolution, on-head binning to extend dynamic range.

Peak QE up to 95%

High photon collection efficiency for maximising signal-to-noise ratios.
‘Enhanced’ process back-illuminated sensor options for increased QE in the soft x-ray range.

Thermo-electric cooling down to -100°C

Efficiently minimizes dark current noise for acquisitions requiring longer sensor exposure
time, obtain better signal-to-noise ratios faster.

Low noise readout down to 2.9 e-Intelligent low-noise electronics offer the most ‘silent’ system noise.

Up to 5 MHz pixel readout speed

Slow readout for low noise and best SNR performance, faster speed for studying dynamic
processes and 5 MHz focusing mode.

USB 2.0 interface

Built-in robust plug and play interface as standard.

Cropped sensor mode

Tracking stability to ensure all readout circuits experience same temperature and operating
conditions.

Enhanced baseline clamp

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

Windows, Linux & Labview

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

Integrated in EPICS

Seamless integration and operation at EPICS-based particle accelerators.

Filter and filter holders options

Accommodate beryllium (or aluminium) windows with thickness down to 200 µm for removal ofunwanted lower energy radiations (< 2 keV). Ø45.5 mm supported for iKon-M and Ø60 mm for
iKon-L.

Open-front to standalone converter options

Provides maximum flexibility – camera can attach directly to a vacuum chamber, or be used as
standalone with a beryllium filter.

iKon-M & -L SO Application Images

X-Ray diffraction pattern of the Synchrotron Soleil, France obtainedwith a iKon-M SO. Courtesy of Vincent Jacques.

XRD Powder diffraction image obtained with an iKon-L SO.
Courtesy of NASA AMES, USA

3

TECHNICAL DATA
System Specifications •2
iKon-M SO
Sensor Options

iKon-L SO

BN: Back-illuminated CCD, uncoated
NEW BEN: Back-illuminated CCD, enhanced process, uncoated
FI: Front-illuminated CCD
BR-DD: Back-illuminated CCD, deep-depletion

Pixels•31024 x 1024

2048 x 2048

Pixel size

13 x 13 μm

13.5 x 13.5 μm

Image area

13.3 x 13.3 mm with 100% fill factor

27.6 x 27.6 mm with 100% fill factor

Minimum temperatures•4
Air cooled
Coolant recirculator
Coolant chiller coolant @10°C 0.75l/min
Blemish specification

4-stage cooler
-70ºC
-75ºC
-80ºC

-80ºC
-95ºC
-100ºC

5-stage cooler
-80ºC
-95ºC
-100ºC

Grade 1 sensor from supplier. Camera blemishes as defined by Andor Grade A
www.andor.com/learning-academy/ccd-blemishes-and-non-uniformities-black-pixels-and-hot-pixels-on-a-ccd-sensor

Advanced Performance Specifications •2
iKon-M SO
Peak QE •5>95% (BN/BEN), >90% (BR-DD)
BN/BEN/BR-DD/FI
150,000 e-

Active area pixel well depth (typical)
Output node capacity

BN/BEN/FI
100,000 e-

250,000 e-

Pixel readout rates
Read Noise (e-)

iKon-L SO

1,000,000 e0.05, 1, 3 and 5 MHz

BN/BEN

BR-DD

0.05 MHz
1 MHz
3 MHz
5 MHz

2.9
6.6
11.6
18.0

3.3
6.2
9.2
13.6

Dark Current, e-/pixel/sec •6@ -70°C@ -80°C@ -100°C

0.00160.00040.0001

0.066
0.01510.0008

Frame rate (full frame)

BN
High

High

High

High

Capacity

Sensitivity

Capacity

2.9
7.0
11.7
31.5

8.7
22.2
40.2
70.3

4.3
6.8
11.7
34.1

9.5
21.8
36.3
69.4

0.00160.00040.0001

4.4 fps

Digitization

16-bit (all speeds)

Vacuum compatibility

0.066
0.01510.00080.953 fps

Better than 99%

Maximum bake-out temperature

BR-DD/BEN

Sensitivity

Linearity •7

Mounting flange

BR-DD
150,000e-

DN100CF / 6” CF / CF-152+55oC>10-8 millibar

4Quantum Efficiency Curves

•5

Key:
VUV: Vacuum Ultraviolet, EUV: Extreme Ultraviolet, XUV: Extreme Ultraviolet (X-Ray)For more information about Andor solutions for ‘indirect’ detection please go to www.andor.com/scientific-cameras/high-energy-detection

Dark Current

Beryllium Window Transmission
100%
90%
80%
BEN (iKon-L), BR-DD

Transmission [%]70%

BEN (iKon-M), BN

60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
Be (200 µm)

10%Be (250 µm)

0%
1,000

10,000
Photon Energy [eV]5

Frame Rates•8

iKon-M SO
1 MHz

50 kHz Precision photometry mode
Binning

Full Frame

512 x 512

256 x 256128 x 128

Binning

Full Frame

512 x 512

256 x 256128 x 128

1x1

0.04

0.1

0.2

0.4

1x1

0.9

1.8

3.5

6.9

2x2

0.2

0.2

0.4

0.8

2x2

2.9

4.3

7.5

13.5

4x4

0.6

0.6

0.9

1.5

4x4

7.9

9.4

14.8

24.6

8x8

2.0

1.2

1.7

2.8

8x8

18.0

18.2

26.6

40.7

16 x 16

5.1

2.3

3.2

5.0

16 x 16

33.4

31.6

43.0

59.8

•9

3 MHz
Binning

Full Frame

1x1
2x2

5 MHz Visualization mode

512 x 512

256 x 256128 x 128

Binning

Full Frame

512 x 512

256 x 256128 x 128

2.6

5.2

10.0

18.6

1x1

6.3

10.9

19.3

33.2

2x2

4.4

8.5

16.0

28.8

8.4

15.9

28.5

47.6

4x4

13.4

20.9

34.2

53.5

8x8

25.1

36.3

54.4

76.5

4x4

15.6

28.1

47.0

70.8

8x8

27.3

45.8

69.4

93.5

16 x 16

41.5

56.1

76.5

97.1

16 x 16

43.6

66.9

91.2

111.5

iKon-L SO
50 kHz Precision photometry mode

1 MHz

Binning

Full Frame

1024 x 1024

512 x 512

Binning

Full Frame

1024 x 1024

512 x 512

1x1

0.011

0.023

0.046

1x1

0.221

0.433

0.835

2x2

0.04

0.059

0.102

2x2

0.662

0.993

1.67

4x4

0.155

0.138

0.213

4x4

1.594

1.947

2.951

8x8

0.482

0.293

0.42

8x8

2.912

3.266

4.571

16 x 16

1.166

0.572

0.78

16 x 16

4.152

4.71

6.204

•9

3 MHz

5 MHz Visualization mode

Binning

Full Frame

1024 x 1024

512 x 512

Binning

Full Frame

1024 x 1024

512 x 512

1x1

0.607

1.157

2.115

1x1

0.953

1.771

3.1

2x2

1.294

2.175

3.588

2x2

1.655

2.922

4.733

4x4

2.305

3.545

5.326

4x4

2.619

4.329

6.424

8x8

3.463

5.017

6.953

8x8

3.697

5.7

7.822

16 x 16

4.496

6.27

8.18

16 x 16

4.654

6.776

8.777

6

Typical Set-up
Vacuum Chamber

Photoelectrons vs Incident X-rays
Flange e.g.
CF203

•10

10000

Software CD

Photoelectrons per detected X-ray

PC

USB Cable

1000

100

iKon-M/L-SO CCD
Power Supply(iKon-L only)

Power Supply

10
0.1

Power Supply Cable

i

1

10

Energy [keV]Best Practice
Guidelines

Condensation• It is strongly advised that the camera should not be used in a condensing atmosphere.
• If used in a condensing atmosphere the sensor MUST be protected and the use of a cold finger is strongly recommended.
Contamination & Damage• When not in use, the sensor chamber should be covered and sealed.
• Due to the exposed nature of the sensor, extreme care should be taken with the camera, as damage can easily occur through mishandling or by contamination• If the sensor becomes contaminated, due to accident or misuse, please contact Andor immediately for advice on cleaning.
Vacuum Operations• Ensure that the vacuum environment to which the camera is fitted is free of water vapour and other contaminants.
• Care should also be taken to control pressure change, as sudden pressure changes can potentially cause damage to the sensor assembly.

Vacuum Units Equivalences
Pressure Range
Vacuum Regime

mBar

bar

pascal (Pa)Torr

Atmospheric pressure

1.013x10+3

1.013

1.013x10+5

7.6x10+2

High vacuum

1x10-3 to 1x10-9

1x10-6 to 1x10-12

1x10-1 to 1x10-7

7.5x10-4 to 7.5x10-10

Ultra high vacuum

1x10-9 to 1x10-12

1x10-12 to 1x10-15

1x10-7 to 1x10-10

7.5x10-10 to 7.5x10-13

Extremely high vacuum<1x10-12<1x10-15<1x10-10<1x10-13

Please refer to the Andor Technical Note:
Open-front camera flanges for further details.

7

CREATING THE OPTIMUM
PRODUCT FOR YOU
iKon-L SO

Step 1.

iKon-M SO
example shown

example shown

DO936N- M 0 Z - BEN

DO934P- BR-DD

Choose the flange hole type (iKon-L)
Description

Flange Hole
Type

Code

Imperial thread (5/16 UNC)I

No thread (ø 8 mm through hole)*

0

Metric thread (M8)M

* Please contact your Andor representative for further
details about this option. M8 or 5/16 UNC nut required
behind flange to secure bolt from vacuum chamber.
Refer also to Mechanical Drawings on page 9.

Step 3.
Step 2.

Choose the sensor type option

Choose the cooling option (iKon-L)

Cooling

Step 4.

Description

Code

Description

Code

Back Illuminated CCD, with no AR coating#BN

4-stage peltier cooling (Air cooled: -70ºC,
Coolant recirculator: -75ºC, Coolant chiller,
coolant @ 10ºC, 0.75 l/min: -80ºC)

W

Back Illuminated CCD, no AR coating,enhanced soft X-Ray WE

BEN

5-stage peltier cooling (Air cooled: -80ºC,
Coolant recirculator: -95ºC, Coolant chiller,
coolant @ 10ºC, 0.75 l/min: -100ºC)

Back Illuminated deep-depletion CCD

BR-DD

Z

Front Illuminated CCD#FI

SensorType

Select the required accessories and adapters
Description

Accessories &Adapters

Step 5.

Order CodeRe-circulator for enhanced cooling performance

XW-RECR

Oasis 160 Ultra compact chiller unit

ACC-XW-CHIL-160

USB Extender: Icron USB 2.0 Ranger 2201 (100 m) - EU/UK/USACC-USBX-EU
ACC-USBX-UK
ACC-USBX-US

Optional filter holder for iKon-L only (supplied as standard for iKon-M)

SO-FILTER-MNT-IKONL

Copper gasket for DN100CF / 6 “ CF open-front camera knife-edge vacuum seal

ACC-FLG-SO-GSKT-CU

Beryllium filter for iKon-M, Ø45.5 mm, 250 µm thick

ACC-OPT-02839

Beryllium filter for iKon-L, Ø60.0 mm, 250 µm thick

ACC-OPT-03838

SO-SY adapter for iKon-M, Ø45.5 mm filter

FLG-SO-SY-CONVERT-45

SO-SY adapter for iKon-L, Ø60 mm filter

FLG-SO-SY-CONVERT-60

Select the required software
The iKon-M and L SO require at least one of the following software options:
Solis Imaging A 32-bit and fully 64-bit enabled application for Windows (7, 8 and 10) offering rich functionality for dataacquisition and processing. AndorBasic provides macro language control of data acquisition, processing, display and export.

SoftwareAndor 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 (7, 8 and 10), compatible with C/C++, C#, Delphi, VB6, VB.NET, LabVIEW andMatlab. Linux SDK compatible with C/C++.

8

MECHANICAL DRAWINGS
iKon-L SO

Third-angle projection
22.5°

Dimensions in mm [inches]

27.6 [1.09”]

Ø1
51
.6
[5.
97
”]

128.0 [5.04”]

CF-152
FlangePosition of pixel 1,1

Power
I2C

”]
68
[2.
8.0
6
Ø

USB

3xSMB
Water Connectors (x2)
to suit 6.0mm ID soft
PVC hose

27.6 [1.09”]
Power

71.0 [2.80”]
USB

Attachment options:0

No thread, captive nuts

-9OJ

e.g. D0936N-00Z-BEN

Variation: no thread, non-captive nuts
Please contact your Andor representative for further details
about this option

e.g. D0936N-00Z-#BN-9OJ
6.1 mm [0.24”]

Bolts to comefrom this end
M8 x 45 long

Nut slides into cut-out

Metric attachment

I

Imperial attachment

e.g. D0936N-M0Z-BR-DD

e.g. D0936N-I0W-#FI

Bolts to comefrom this end
M8 x 45 long
168.1mm [6.62”]

Image
plane ofsensorImage
plane ofsensor24mm [0.94”]

134.5 [5.30”]

6.1 mm [0.24”]

153.5 [6.04”]

Nut rotates this side

M

Image
plane ofsensor

6.1 [0.24”]

14.0 [0.55”]

168.1mm [6.62”]

Bolts to comefrom this end

45.2 [1.78”]

24.5 [0.96”]
168.1mm [6.62”]

Note: Please contact us for further information on attachment options

iKon-M SO
2 off water connectors
o suit 6.0 mm ID hose

47.0 [1.85”]

Rotatable flange indexable forhole or slot to 12 o’clock position
M8 & 5/16 UNC
Clearance holes

Light tight, pressurebalancing hole

Knife edge Ø113.9 [4.48”]

Ø151.6 [5.96”]
Position of pixel 1,1

CF-152 Flange

Rotation index block42.5 [1.67”]

Image planeof sensor

Filter Holder with bayonet
twist fitting for ease of
insertion and removal.
Suitable filter:Ø45.5 mm [1.79”]
x max. 1 mm [0.04”] thickO-ring sealed Ø35 mm[1.38”] clear aperture
Note:
Filter not supplied as standard

3.2 [0.12”]

197.1 [7.76”]

Connecting to the iKon-M & -L SO
Camera Control: Connector type: USB 2.0

Fire SMB
External Trigger SMB
Power

Shutter SMB
I2C

USB

TTL / Logic: Connector type: SMB, provided with SMB - BNC cable
Fire (Output), External Trigger (Input), Shutter (Output)
I2C connector: Compatible with Fischer SC102A054-130 Shutter (TTL), I2C Clock, I2C
Data, +5 Vdc, Ground
Minimum cable clearance required at bottom of camera: 90 mm

105.0 [4.13”]

9

ORDER TODAY
Need more information? At Andor we are committed to finding
the correct solution for you. With a dedicated team of technicaladvisors, we are able to offer you one-to-one guidance andtechnical support on all Andor products. For a full listing of ourregional sales offices, please see: andor.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) 8271 9066
Fax +1 (860) 290 9566			
Fax +86 (10) 8271 9055

Items shipped with your camera:

Footnotes: Specifications are subject to change without notice1.

1 x 2 m BNC - SMB connection cable
1 x 3 m USB 2.0 cable Type A - Type B
1 x Power supply with mains cable (iKon-M)
2 x Power supplies with associated cables(iKon-L)
1 x CD containing Andor user guides
1 x Individual system performance booklet
1 x Protective cover plate
4 x Fixing screws for cover plate •11

IMPORTANT - Due to the sensor being exposed to environments outside of Andor’s control there is no
warranty on the sensor. For full details of Andor’s Warranty Policy please refer to our webpage at
www.andor.com/contact_us/support_request/. For key information on handling precautions for SO/HO open
front end systems, please refer to the best practice guidelines on page 7. Note permanent damage can easily
occur due to misuse.

2.

Figures are typical unless otherwise stated.

3.

Edge pixels may exhibit a partial response.

4.

Stabilized cooling temperatures are given for slowest readout speed. Use of faster readout speeds (in orderto achieve faster frame rates) may require a higher cooling temperature to be selected. Specified minimum
air cooled temperature assumes ambient temperature of 25°C. Specified minimum temperature with coolant
assumes coolant temperature of 10°C. All cooling performance can be compromised by the environment towhich the sensor is exposed.

5.

Quantum efficiency as supplied by the sensor manufacturer.

6.

Dark current measurement is averaged over the CCD area excluding any regions of blemishes.

7.

Linearity is measured from a plot of counts vs exposure time under constant photon flux up to the saturation
point of the system.

8.

Typical binning or array size combinations. All measurements are made with 4.25 µs (iKon-M), and 38.55 µs(iKon-L) vertical shift speed. It also assumes internal trigger mode of operation and minimum exposure time.

9.

5 MHz is for focusing/visualization mode only.

10. The graph shows photoelectrons generated as a function of photon energy of incident X-ray.
11. Fixing screws for mounting the flange to a vacuum chamber are not included.

Minimum Computer Requirements

Operating & Storage Conditions• 3.0 GHz single core or 2.4 GHz multi core processor• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 30°C ambient• 2 GB RAM• Relative Humidity: < 70% (non-condensing)• 100 MB free hard disc to install software (at least• Storage Temperature: -25°C to 50°C

1GB recommended for data spooling)

FM40523

EMS91062• Maximum Bakeout: Temperature +55°C• USB 2.0 High Speed Host Controller capable ofsustained rate of 40 MB/s
• Windows (7, 8 and 10) or Linux
Weight (approx)• iKon-M SO: 4.9 kg [10 lb 13 oz]• iKon-L SO: 5.5 kg [12 lb 2 oz]

Power Requirements• 100 - 240 VAC, 50 - 60 Hz• Power Consumption:iKon-M 48W max

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.
EPICS support in 16-bit mode only.

iKon-L with 4 stage cooler (W) 60W max
iKon-L with 5 stage cooler (Z) 120W max

iKonSOSeries SS 1216 R1

10