Cameras for X-Ray, EUV, Electron and Neutron Detection

Andor’s portfolio of CCD, sCMOS and EMCCD cameras provide a wide range of high sensitivity, high dynamic range and fast detection solutions for table-top laboratory and beamline experiments. These detectors benefit especially applications in the field of EUV, X-ray, neutron or electron detection for material science, plasma studies, bio-samples analysis or beam/source characterisation.

NEW Marana-X – High Speed, Direct X-ray Detection Back-illuminated sCMOS

4.2 Megapixels, 6.5 µm pixel size, 74 fps (full array)
95% QE and low noise vacuum cooled
Ideal for X-ray water window tomographic and in-situ imaging & EUV spectroscopy

Specifications

X-Ray, Electron & Neutron Detection cameras adapted to your needs

Andor offers a comprehensive portfolio of open fronted direct X-ray detection cameras (SO), also available with Berylium windows (SY) in stand alone formats with Andor’s patented UltraVac™ technology. Andor also offers high throughput fibreoptic and lens coupled indirect detection solutions to meet every need.

Open-Front (‘SO’) & Standalone (‘SY’)

Spectroscopy & imaging formats
High VUV/EUV/XUV sensitivity
Large FOV up to 61.4 x 61.7 mm
Deep TE-cooling to -100°C
UHV compatibility

Specifications

Fibre-optic coupling (‘HF’)

Up to 100 frames/s
Large FOV up to 27.6 x 27.6 mm
Up to 95% QE at 550 nm
High throughput FOP
Modular scintillator options

Specifications

Lens-coupling

Up to 100 frames/s
Large FOV up to 61.4 x 61.7 mm
Up to 95% QE @ 550 nm
Deep TE-cooling to -100°C
High dynamic range

Specifications

Need help to select the right platform?

Select from the options below to find the detector platform that best meets your needs.

Direct Detection - Soft X-Ray

Spectroscopy

Imaging

Spectral Rate

Pixel well depth

Simultaneous bandpass

Indirect Detection - Fiber Coupling

Spectroscopy

Imaging

Newton 920 HF (*)

Newton 940 HF (*)

iKon-M HF (*)

iKon-L HF

Spectral Rate

Pixel well depth

Simultaneous bandpass

(*) Please contact your local Andor representative for further details

Indirect Detection - Lens Coupling

Spectroscopy

Imaging

Spectral rate

Pixel well depth

Simultaneous bandpass

Studying Particles from X-Ray to Neutrons and Electrons

VUV/EUV/XUV and X-Ray
Neutron

Biology & Life Science

Spectroscopy

Imaging & Tomography

Materials Study

Energy & Engineering

Biology & Life Science

By exploiting the power of the water window region of the electromagnetic spectrum in which water is transparent to X-rays 282 eV (carbon K-edge) – 533 eV (oxygen K-edge) it is possible to study organic species in vivo cryogenically suspended to preserve their natural shape and structure. X-rays offer a unique non-destructive, in situ and in operando diagnostic technique to study the structure and biology of organic samples without the degradation often seen in electron microscopy techniques.

The advent of higher repetition rate lasers for high harmonic generation, synchrotron source upgrades and the development of X-ray free electron lasers is enabling brighter and higher repetition soft X-ray sources for the characterisation of organic species. Andor’s market leading sCMOS Marana-X camera combines the exceptional speed of sCMOS technology with low noise, high dynamic range readout with unparalleled quantum efficiency to meet the increasingly demanding imaging requirements driven by these technological advances. Furthermore, Andor’s open front iKon CCD range also offers extremely low dark current, high dynamic range and low noise readout for flux starved environments.

Soft X-ray intracellular image on an intact cellular structure. Image acquired via direct X-ray detection utilizing an Andor iKon-L SO. Fogelqvist, E., Kördel, M., Carannante, V. et al. Laboratory cryo x-ray microscopy for 3D cell imaging. Sci Rep 7, 13433 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598- 017-13538-2.

Materials Study

X-ray-based diagnostics can provide information on the inner structure, damages, authenticity, manufacturing and restoration processes of cultural heritage artefacts including for example metal objects (e.g. lead, bronze or iron-based weaponry or statues), ceramics, or samples combining metallic and organic materials (e.g. wood, adhesives, soil, leather, lacquer). It can also provide quantitative physiological investigation of fossilised artefacts.

In Geology, this technique can give information on rock formation processes, their crystal phases and behaviour with temperature and pressure, macroscopic strain/stresses/internal cracks, porous systems and flow systems. In planetary science, it can be used for the structural classification of iron-based meteorites.

Other applications relevant to this section include the study of structural robustness of construction material (cement/concrete), visualisation of moisture and multiphase flows in porous and hygroscopic medias, or study of engineered materials structural (e.g. crystalline phases, microstructures, heterogeneities, stress/strain/cracks through Bragg-edge, Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) or Grating Interferometry imaging techniques) and magnetic properties.

Andor has two product ranges specifically tailored to address the challenging requirements for energy and engineering X-ray diagnostics:

Soft X-ray energy range – Andor’s market leading direct detection sCMOS Marana-X camera provides rapid 74 fps frame rates, high dynamic range and outstanding quantum efficiency in the EUV – 1 keV range. Andor’s large field of view iKon open fronted CCD range enable large fields of view, high dynamic range and deep cooling for direct X-ray detection up to 20 keV.
Hard X-ray energy range - Andor’s ZL41 Wave (lens or fibre-coupled) and large area Balor (lens-coupled) sCMOS platforms provide simultaneously low noise and fast acquisition rates up to kHz suitable for low and high X-ray photons flux applications, as well as modular interfaces to a wide range of scintillators and low-energy filters. Andor’s iKon CCD range (lens or fibre-coupled) offers large field of view, low dark current and low noise readout for flux starved applications.

A 3D micro X-ray tomography rendering of a block of 6 µm fibre reinforced plastic reproduced from Fella et al captured using a Andor Zyla sCMOS Camera with a 5.5 µm LSO:Tb scintillator. Christian Fella et al, Hybrid setup for micro- and nano-computed tomography in hard X-ray range, Review of Scientific Instruments, volume 88, Article number 123702 (2012).

Energy & Engineering

By exploiting the high penetration power of X-rays, non-destructive, in situ and in operando diagnostics can be undertaken to study dynamic chemical processes and flow in enclosed engineered systems, or study the integrity and quality of high precision mechanical components.

X-ray-based diagnostics is appealing to the Automotive, Aerospace and manufacturing industries. It provides a diagnostics tool for quality control and mechanical integrity verification of engineered parts (e.g. engine parts, turbine and rotor blades). Bragg-edge, Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) imaging techniques are typically used to identify strain/stress/cracks in the bulk material.

Other areas of interest for using X-ray diagnostics include the spatial and temporal analysis of chemical processes (e.g. corrosion, chemical processes product deposition) and flows/multi-phase flows (e.g. water or oil flows) within combustion engines and fuel injection systems or electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems e.g. ion-Lithium batteries or fuel cells.

Andor has two product ranges specifically tailored to address the challenging requirements for energy and engineering X-ray diagnostics:

Soft X-ray energy range – Andor’s market leading direct detection sCMOS Marana-X camera provides rapid 74 fps frame rates, high dynamic range and outstanding quantum efficiency in the EUV – 1 keV range. Andor’s large field of view iKon open fronted CCD range enable large fields of view, high dynamic range and deep cooling for direct X-ray detection up to 20 keV.
Hard X-ray energy range - Andor’s ZL41 Wave (lens or fibre-coupled) and large area Balor (lens-coupled) sCMOS platforms provide simultaneously low noise and fast acquisition rates up to kHz suitable for low and high X-ray photons flux applications, as well as modular interfaces to a wide range of scintillators and low-energy filters. Andor’s iKon CCD range (lens or fibre-coupled) offers large field of view, low dark current and low noise readout for flux starved applications.

Sulphur cluster formation before and after discharging and recharging of a Li-S electrode. Data acquired with a scintillator coupled Andor Neo camera. Data from Seung-Ho Yu et al, Journal of Royal Society of Chemistry, 2018, (11), 202-210, DOI: 10.1039/C7EE02874A.

Imaging & Tomography

Materials Study

Energy & Engineering

Biology & Life Science

Imaging & Tomography

Neutron imaging is a technique typically used to analyse samples containing low- atomic number elements that provide best neutron attenuation characteristics (through absorption, scatter), e.g. Hydrogen, Nitrogen or Lithium. It is a complementary technique to X-ray imaging which relies on different interaction mechanisms with matter.

Neutron computed tomographic (CT) reconstructions are obtained from a series of two-dimensional images (cross sections) of the samples taken at different angles. These 2D projections can be combined through software computation to build a three-dimensional view of the inside of the sample.

These non-destructive techniques can be used to study hydrogenous fluid dynamics or fluid distribution (e.g. water) in metal objects, corrosion processes, complex archaeological artefacts or geological samples inner structures. They can also be used for quality control of engineering systems (e.g. combustion engines, Li-ion batteries, fuel cells), to discriminate isotopes of the same element or to study water transport in biological materials (e.g. plants).

Neutron images are typically acquired using a scintillator (generally made of Lithium-based materials (e.g. LiF(ZnS) or plastic)), lens – coupled to a CCD or sCMOS detector. Andor’s unique Balor-X sCMOS camera offers unparalleled rapid 54 FPS full frame readout, 16 megapixel camera, with low noise and high dynamic range readout. Andor’s iKon-L and iKon-XL CCDs provide simultaneously large field of view, high dynamic range and low dark current, while Neo or ZL41 Wave sCMOS offers simultaneously fast acquisition rates and high dynamic range. If high time resolution is required Andor’s iStar sCMOS offers unparalleled frame rates with nanosecond gating capabilities.

Tomographic reconstruction and cross section showing the inner organs within the shell of a crab with an outer size of 20 cm. Neutrons have high contrast for organic materials. Image acquired with an Andor iKon-L CCD lens-coupled to a 6Li(ZnS) scintillator.

Materials Study

By exploiting the strong attenuation of neutrons by low atomic number (Z) elements (e.g. Hydrogen) and their high penetration power for high-Z elements-based materials, neutron imaging/tomography can carry deep-analysis for wide range of material configurations in a non-destructive manner.

Neutron-based diagnostics can provide information on the inner structure, damages, authenticity, manufacturing and restoration processes of cultural heritage artefacts including for example metal objects (e.g. lead, bronze or iron-based weaponry or statues), ceramics, or samples combining metallic and organic materials (e.g. wood, adhesives, soil, leather, lacquer). It can also provide quantitative physiological investigation of fossilised artefacts.

In Geology, this technique can give information on rock formation processes, their crystal phases and behaviour with temperature and pressure, macroscopic strain/stresses/internal cracks, porous systems and flow systems. In planetary science, it can be used for the structural classification of iron-based meteorites.

Other applications relevant to this section include the study of structural robustness of construction material (cement/concrete), visualisation of moisture and multiphase flows in porous and hygroscopic medias, or study of engineered materials structural (e.g. crystalline phases, microstructures, heterogeneities, stress/strain/cracks through Bragg-edge, Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) or Grating Interferometry imaging techniques) and magnetic properties.

Lens-coupled with Li-based scintillators, Andor’s unique Balor-X sCMOS camera offers unparalleled rapid 54 FPS full frame readout, 16 megapixel sensor, with low noise and high dynamic range readout, Andor’s iKon-L and iKon-XL CCDs provide simultaneously large field of view and high dynamic range, while Neo or ZL41 Wave sCMOS offers simultaneously fast acquisition rates and high dynamic range. If high time resolution is required Andor’s iStar sCMOS offers unparalleled frame rates with nanosecond gating capabilities.

Virtual tomographic slice through the famous bronze sculpture “Mercure from Thalwil”, exhibit of the Swiss National Museum, Zurich, Switzerland. Tomographic data acquired at NEUTRA facility, Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland. Courtesy of Eberhard H. Lehmann. Image acquired with an Andor iKon-L CCD lens-coupled to a 6Li(ZnS) scintillator.

Energy & Engineering

By exploiting the high penetration power of neutrons through high-Z elements-based materials, non-destructive, in situ and in operando diagnostics can be undertaken to study dynamic chemical processes and flow in enclosed engineered systems, or study the integrity and quality of high precision mechanical components.

Neutron-based diagnostics is appealing to the Automotive, Aerospace and manufacturing industries. It provides a diagnostics tool for quality control and mechanical integrity verification of engineered parts (e.g. engine parts, turbine and rotor blades). Bragg-edge, Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) or Grating Interferometry imaging techniques are typically used to identify strain/stress/cracks in the bulk material.

Other areas of interest for using neutron diagnostics include the spatial and temporal analysis of chemical processes (e.g. corrosion, chemical processes product deposition) and flows/multi-phase flows (e.g. water or oil flows) within combustion engines and fuel injection systems or electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems e.g. ion-Lithium batteries or fuel cells.

Fuel Cell research (e.g. Polymer electrolyte fuel cells) aims to provide non-polluting power source for the automotive industry. Neutron-based diagnostics is used for in situ/in operando study of the behaviour of Hydrogen – the key fuel element for fuel cells alongside oxygen – and water - the main product of the hydrogen/air fuel cell process.

Lens-coupled with Li-based scintillators, Andor’s unique Balor-X sCMOS camera offers unparalleled rapid 54 FPS full frame readout, 16 megapixel sensor, with low noise and high dynamic range readout, Andor’s iKon-L and iKon-XL CCDs provide simultaneously large field of view and high dynamic range, while Neo or ZL41 Wave sCMOS offers simultaneously fast acquisition rates and high dynamic range. If high time resolution is required Andor’s iStar sCMOS offers unparalleled frame rates with nanosecond gating capabilities.

’Neutron cross section of a commercially available lithium battery looking at the mechanical degradation processes of repeated charging and discharging. Images acquired with an Andor iKon-M CCD lens-coupled to a 10µm GADOX scintillator.. Ziesche, R.F., Arlt, T., Finegan, D.P. et al. 4D imaging of lithium-batteries using correlative neutron and X-ray tomography with a virtual unrolling technique. Nat Commun 11, 777 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-13943-3.

Camera Accessories

Adaptable to large range of setups, high configurability, in-field upgradeable

Vacuum Flange Interfaces

CF/ICF standard configurations
ISO-K or –F options
Vacuum chamber-to-standalone cameras accessories

Learn More

Scintillators

CsI:Tl for high throughput option
LuAG:CE or YAG:Ce high resolution option
Custom scintillator & fibreoptics options available on demand

Learn More

Third Party Spectrometers

McPhersson deep-UV to VUV or soft X-ray & EUV spectrometers
H+P slit-less, high throughput XUV spectrometers

McPherson

H+P Spectrometers

Software for X-Ray, Electron and Neutron Detection Cameras

Solis Acquisition Software - A 32-bit and fully 64-bit enabled application for Windows (7, 8, 8.1 and 10) offering rich functionality for data acquisition and processing.

Learn More

Software Development Kit - Compatible as 32-bit and 64-bit libraries for Windows (7, 8, 8.1 and 10). Compatible with C/C++, C#, VB.NET, Matlab and LabVIEW for Windows/Linux

Learn More

Third party Open Source platforms - EPICS and TANGO-LIMA are Open Source software platforms used for hardware control at a number of particle accelerators and large scientific instruments facilities worldwide. Supported Andor camera include CCDs and sCMOS on SDK2 / SDK3, Windows and/or Linux. Please refer to the links below for further information:

EPICS Software

Tango Controls

Lima

Customer Special Request

The CSR service is at the heart of the Andor ethos of offering high performance, high quality products and solution developments for each and every customer. Andor provide a bespoke service, whereby a dedicated, highly experienced team of engineers and application specialists provide customer specific solutions.

Got a Special Request?

Get in touch with your local Andor representative to find out more about what our CSR can do for you and your project.

4 Megapixel, deep-cooled CCD with protruding sensor (90 degrees tilt), integrated on Diamond Light source new I21 beamline

iKon-L

2:1 de-magnifying taper for increased field of view and fast frame rates

Zyla sCMOS HF

16 Megapixel, deep-cooled CCD with protruding sensor (60 degrees tilt), integrated at KIT-ANKA light source for soft X-ray spectroscopy

iKon-XL

Learning Resources

The Learning Centre hosts a wide range of technical articles and webinars on various applications and techniques. Below are some key articles that are related to cameras for x-ray, euv, electron and neutron detection for further reading:

An introduction to the principals of neutron radiography and tomography

Neutron Tomography schematic diagram Neutron imaging has wide industrial and scientific significance and can provide detailed information concerning the inner structure and com...

Video Overview of Andor OEM Detector Solutions

Understanding Binning in High Energy CCD Detectors

A CCD made up of 4 pixel imaging array,in grey, with a readout register below, in blue. The charge held in the pixel is indicated in the bottom right of the pixel. CCD's are ve...

Understanding direct X-ray detection in scientific cameras

Figure 1: X-ray event diameter as a function of energy Direct detection occurs when an incident photon is absorbed within the silicon of the CCD, resulting in the producti...

Monochromatizing a VUV Photon Source for HHG

Introduction The development of ultra short coherent soft X-ray pulses paved the way for applications like diffraction microscopy of nanometer structures, ultrafast pump probe ...

Table-top coherent X-ray source in the keV region

The unique ability of X-rays for elemental and chemicallyspecific imaging of thick samples at the nanoscale have spurred the development of X-ray free-electron laser sources, as...

Time-Resolved X-ray Diffraction