X-ray Cameras

Quantum Efficiency of direct detection X-ray cameras

Andor manufactures a wide range of dedicated CCD and EMCCD cameras for direct and indirect detection of X-ray, in both spectroscopic or imaging sensor formats. Camera platforms are available to accommodate and optimize a range of sensor sizes and types, from 128 x 128 EMCCD through to 2048 x 2048 CCD. Andor's X-ray camera range has been designed to adapt to a range of experimental configurations. Systems are available that can operate directly in a vacuum chamber, attach to a chamber via a conflat flange or "stand-alone".

Schematic cross-section of sensor housing in an Andor DY camera - indirect detection variant

Please click here for further information on direct and indirect detection cameras.To enquire about custom X-ray products not listed here, please contact Andor.

DO

DO camera

Andor's "Open-Front End" or DO systems are designed to be coupled to the outside of a vacuum chamber and hence have no input window. There are two kinds of DO systems available: one makes a seal with a vacuum chamber using "knife-edge" sealing while the other utilizes O-ring seals.Most DO cameras come with a removable filter holder to enable ambient light to be blocked out, with an integrated pumping channel to allow vacuum access to the CCD enclosure during pumping.This camera utilizes both air and optional water cooling. A minimum temperature of down to -80°C is possible depending on the vacuum of the chamber achieved, the method of cooling (water or air) and whether an external power supply unit is used. Other types of flanges, including rotatable Conflat flanges, can be offered on request for selected models.Andor's DO cameras may be used, for example, with Grazing Incidence spectrographs that produce a flat field at the output plane, or for low incoming flux energy resolution applications.

DX

DX camera

Andor's "In Vacuum" or DX systems again have no input window and are designed to be positioned inside a vacuum chamber. The entire CCD, including the casing and electronics, are completely vacuum compatible.

The DX camera is connected to your PC via a cable inside the chamber that is attached to one end of a sealed vacuum feed-through (optional) in the wall of the chamber. Attached to the outside end of the feed-through is the standard 3m cable, which is connected to the Andor Controller Card in your PC as usual.DX cameras may be passively cooled inside the vacuum chamber. To facilitate this, a copper block on the side of the camera head can be coupled to other objects within the vacuum chamber. The cooling performance of the camera will depend on both the vacuum achieved in the chamber and the heat dissipation via the copper block. As with the DO cameras, the DX option has a removable filter holder with an integrated pumping channel. Andor's DX cameras may be used when it is necessary to position the sensor close to the sample under investigation.

Vacuum Feedthrough Kit

A vacuum feedthrough kit is a specially designed cable kit to connect a DX camera to the PCI controller card, as shown below:

Vacuum Feedthrough Kit

DY

DY camera with Beryllium window

Andor's DY cameras are "Stand Alone" systems, incorporate a beryllium input window to shield from visible photons, and are available both as direct and indirect models. A phosphor coated fiber optic is positioned over the CCD sensor in the indirect variant. This camera utilizes both air and optional water-cooling, and are either back-filled with dry gas or are pumpable. DY systems are available in standard or large area sensor formats.

DV

DV camera

Andor's DV cameras are "stand-alone" Thermoelectric (TE) cooled vacuum CCDs, incorporating a Mg₂F window, for direct detection across the VUV and XUV wavelength range to 120nm.

DH

X-ray DH Camera

Andor's DH fiber optic cameras are ideally suited to X-ray detection, and other applications requiring a fiber optic interface. While the –FO version is built around a front-illuminated interface, the –FB utilizes a back-illuminated sensor with broadband AR coating optimized for the visible region. Sensors are optimized to provide high sensitivity and high dynamic range, and are equally effective for both low and intense light conditions. A range of phosphor options are also available.

DF

X-ray DF Camera

Andor's DF fiber optic cameras have been designed primarily for scientific imaging at multi-MHz readout rates, and are available in large area sensor formats and as EMCCD format. They are ideally suited to X-ray imaging and other applications requiring a fibre optic interface, with de-magnifying tapers enabling large area detection.For example, Andor's DF836F-FO and DF836F-FB fiber optic cameras are designed primarily for scientific imaging with multi-MHz readout rates (up to 5 MHz). While the -FO version is built around a front-illuminated sensor, the -FB utilizes a back-illuminated sensor with broadband AR coating optimized for the visible region. The 2048 x 2048 array provides high resolution and dynamic range and is equally effective for both low and more intense light imaging. It is ideally suited to rapid X-Ray imaging (such as tomography) and other applications requiring a fiber optic interface. Thermoelectric cooling allows for operation below -35°C, minimizing dark current. A range of phosphor options are also available.

The Revolutionary EMCCD Fiber-optic Camera - iXon^EM+ DF897E-FB

Single Photon Sensitive Indirect Detection at Rapid Frame Rates!

Andor's new iXon^EM+ DF897E-FB camera uses Andor's pioneering and award-winning Electron Multiplying CCD (EMCCD) technology, offering single photon sensitivity and high sensor QE (> 90%) at 35 full frames/sec (faster with binning or sub-array), coupled to a phosphor coated fiber optic. EMCCD renders this camera ideal for coupling to large area de-magnifying fiber tapers, the raw sensor sensitivity compensating for extensive photon loss through the taper.

For other EMCCD sensor formats for indirect X-ray detection, please contact Andor.