sCMOS Cameras for Physical Science and Astronomy

Adaptive Optics in Astronomy (Wavefront Sensing)

Adaptive Optics is an established technique that uses deformable mirrors to provide real time compensation of wavefronts that are distorted by turbulence in the upper atmosphere, thus affording considerable resolution enhancement from ground based telescopes.

Andor sCMOS can be used to address the high speed demands required of wavefront sensing, providing closed loop feedback at several hundred frames per second. Furthermore, Andor’s latest generation sCMOS physical science platform, Marana, is architected to minimize latency in AO set-ups, through transmitting pixel row data for real time analysis as soon as the information is available, thus avoiding the need to first assemble an entire image before it leaves the camera.

Fluid Dynamics using Particle Imaging Velocimetry (PIV)

Particle Imaging Velocimetry (PIV) is an optical method of flow visualization used in research and industry to obtain velocity measurements and related properties in fluids. By taking two closely spaced images or ‘snapshots’ of the species, and using correlation algorithms, it is possible to build up 2D and 3D dynamic flow maps. The key to successful measurements is capturing short pulses of scattered light from the species (or tracers added to it) within a well-controlled timescale on the order of a few 100’s of nanoseconds to a few microseconds typically. 

Generally PIV requires a high sensitivity detector that offers accurate timing schemes in terms of triggering capability.

Andor offers sCMOS solutions for PIV both in our Zyla 5.5 and Neo 5.5 cameras, which offer global shutter snapshot exposure capability. Alternatively, the iStar sCMOS intensified sCMOS camera can be used for PIV, offering enhanced rejection of background photons through use of nanosecond exposure gating, synchronised to the laser pulses.

Dynamic X-Ray Imaging

Faster generation of high resolution, high contrast 3D X-Ray tomographic reconstruction and real time imaging of fast processes are of increasing importance at beamtime-limited synchrotrons and lab-based high energy sources facilities, benefiting applications spanning from Material Science, Biology & Medical, Energy (including fuel cells/batteries/engines) to Fluid Dynamics.

Hard X-ray energy range - Andor’s Zyla (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.

NEW Balor’s 12 µm, 16 Megapixel matrix offers great flexibility in terms of field-of-view and spatial resolution to address a wide range of sample configurations and analysis techniques (Absorption/phase contrast, diffraction).

Zyla offers the greatest photon collection from the scintillator (state-of-the-art fibre-optic coupled version), greatest spatial resolution (lens-coupled version) with 6.5 µm pixels, as well as ease-of-integration due to its compact form factor.

Neutron Radiography & Tomography

Neutron imaging has wide industrial and scientific significance and can provide detailed information on the inner structure and composition of objects through thick or high-Z material. Neutron imaging relies on the attenuation difference of sample structures, through both scattering and absorption, of a directional neutron beam. It is a complementary technique to X-Ray Radiography. The technique is also non-destructive in nature, and has been effectively applied to the study of Engineered materials and systems (fuel cells & batteries, concrete, aircraft/engine parts), artefacts of archaeological significance or in the field of geology.

Andor’s lens-coupled sCMOS portfolio offers a range of options for the faster framing requirements or to perform faster 3D tomography (or even 4D: 3D + time) that cannot be addressed by traditional CCD-based detectors.

NEW Balor’s 12 µm, 16 Megapixel matrix features a sensitive, large field of view proprietary sensor enabling the rapid analysis of a wide range of sample configurations.

The Marana back-illuminated sCMOS models feature 95% QE for maximum photon collection from the scintillator, and 4.2 Megapixel array readout down to 14 milliseconds for fast tomographic sample screening or imaging of fast processes such as fuel flow.

Cold Atoms and Bose Einstein Condensation

In the past few decades, ultra-cold matter has become a highly dynamic and fascinating field of study. Cutting edge global research is establishing a deep understanding of the underlying physics, feeding into application in areas such as inertial guidance systems, atomic clocks, quantum computing and cryptography.

The high and broad QE profile of Andor sCMOS cameras provides excellent coverage of the visible / NIR wavelength range, often needed to image ultracold fermions at wavelengths of 670 nm and above, in both fluorescence and absorption type set-ups. The Marana 4.2B-11 with UV optimization also provides enhanced sensitivity for cold ion studies of magnesium (280 nm) and calcium (397 nm). The Marana 4.2B-6 offers up to 74 fps with full 16-bit (faster with ROIs), excellent for imaging fast dynamics of Quantum Gases.

Quantum Optics

Quantum entanglement occurs when two particles remain connected, even over large distances, so that actions performed on one particle have an effect on the other. Understanding of quantum entanglement forms the basis of the growing fields of quantum computing and quantum cryptography.

Thanks to their single-photon sensitivity, EMCCDs have been the detectors of choice for many years in experiments involving quantum optics, but sensitive sCMOS cameras have also been successfully used in quantum optics experiments. Indeed, they are expected to become increasingly popular for imaging of qubit states and general validation of basic concepts.

Andor sCMOS cameras can combine large field of view, high speed and high resolution with an image intensifier option, to provide an adaptable solution for experiments involving single entangled photons, atoms or polaritons.

Solar Astronomy

The Sun is the most important celestial object, providing humans with indispensable light and heat, yet we truly know very little about how it works. Solar flares are a regular occurrence whereby magnetic reconnection in the upper solar atmosphere can cause ejection of plasma at over 1,000,000˚C producing the well-known aurorae. However, flares also cause radio blackouts, disrupt flights and satellite communication, and can even knock out electricity supplies on a continental scale.

On the contrary, there have been times where the Sun has not been active. The so-called Maunder Minimum was a period where solar activity seemed to diminish without forewarning. The caused the river Thames to freeze over. Markets were regularly held on the frozen river, while the cold temperatures caused trees to become extremely dense. This wood is the source of all Stradivarius violins!

Such extremes of weather can have a huge impact on mankind. As such, it is vital we attempt to understand the underlying processes behind our nearest star! Andor’s NEW large-format Balor sCMOS camera allows ground-breaking observations of the solar atmosphere with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. Astronomers will to be able to study the nuances of dynamic events such as magnetic reconnection with stunning accuracy, while also having the large-format capability to view entire flux ropes and sunspots without mosaicking.