Specifications
Table Of Contents
- iXon Ultra
- SAFETY AND WARNINGS INFORMATION
- SAFETY AND WARNINGS SYMBOLS
- MANUAL HANDLING
- SHIPPING AND STORAGE PRECAUTIONS
- SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION TO IXON ULTRA HARDWARE
- 1.1 - TECHNICAL SUPPORT
- 1.2 - DISCLAIMER
- 1.3 - TRADEMARKS AND PATENT INFORMATION
- 1.4 - COMPONENTS
- 1.4.1 - Camera description
- 1.4.2 - Camera Power Supply Unit
- 1.4.3 - SOFTWARE
- 1.5 - SPECIFICATIONS
- 1.6 - ACCESSORIES
- 1.7 - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND MAINTENANCE
- 1.7.1 - Care of the camera
- 1.7.2 - Regular checks
- 1.7.3 - Annual electrical safety checks
- 1.7.4 - Replacement parts
- 1.7.5 - Fuse replacement
- 1.7.6 - Working with electronics
- 1.7.7 - Condensation
- 1.7.8 - Dew Point graph
- 1.7.9 - EM Gain ageing
- 1.7.10 - Minimizing particulate contamination
- 2.1 - INSTALLING THE HARDWARE
- 2.1.1- PC requirements
- 2.2 - INSTALLING ANDOR SOLIS SOFTWARE - WINDOWS O/S(XP/VISTA/SEVEN)
- 2.3 - NEW HARDWARE WIZARD
- 2.5 - WATER PIPE CONNECTORS
- 2.6 - MOUNTING POSTS
- 2.7 - COOLING
- 2.8 - START-UP DIALOG
- 3.1 - EMCCD OPERATION
- 3.1.1 - Structure of an EMCCD
- 3.1.2 - EM Gain & Read Noise
- 3.1.3 - EM Gain ON vs EM Gain OFF
- 3.1.4 - Multiplicative Noise Factor and Photon Counting
- 3.1.5 - EM Gain dependence and stability
- 3.1.6 - RealGain: Real and Linear gain
- 3.1.7 - EM Gain Ageing: What causes it and how is it countered?
- 3.1.8 - Gain and signal restrictions
- 3.1.9 - EMCAL
- 3.2 - COOLING
- 3.2.1 - Cooling options
- 3.2.2 - Heat generated in the EMCCD
- 3.2.3 Heatsink “hot side“ temperature
- 3.2.4 - Fan settings
- 3.3 - SENSOR READOUT OPTIMIZATION
- 3.3.1 - Sensor Pre-amp options
- 3.3.2 - Variable Horizontal Readout Rate
- 3.3.3 - Variable Vertical Shift Speed
- 3.3.4 - Output amplifier selection
- 3.3.5 - Baseline Optimization
- 3.3.5.1 - Baseline Clamp
- 3.3.6 - Binning and Sub Image options
- 3.4 - ACQUISITION OPTIONS
- 3.4.1 - Capture Sequence in Frame Transfer (FT) Mode
- 3.4.1.1 - Points to consider when using FT Mode
- 3.4.2 - Capture Sequence in Non-Frame Transfer Mode (NFT) with an FT EMCCD
- 3.4.2.1 - Points to note about using an FT EMCCD as a standard EMCCD
- 3.4.3 - Capture Sequence for Fast Kinetics (FK) with an FT EMCCD
- 3.4.3.1 - Points to consider when using Fast Kinetics mode
- 3.4.4 - Keep Clean Cycles
- 3.5 - TRIGGERING OPTIONS
- 3.5.1 - Triggering options in Frame Transfer (FT) mode
- 3.5.1.1 - Internal Triggering (FT)
- 3.5.1.2 - External Triggering (FT)
- 3.5.1.3 - External Exposure (FT)
- 3.5.2 - Triggering options in Non-Frame Transfer (NFT) mode
- 3.5.2.1 - Internal (NFT)
- 3.5.2.2 - External & Fast External (NFT)
- 3.5.2.3 - External Exposure (NFT)
- 3.5.2.4 - Software trigger (NFT)
- 3.5.3 - Trigger options in Fast Kinetics (FK) mode
- 3.5.3.1 - Internal (FK)
- 3.5.3.2 - External (FK)
- 3.5.3.3 - External Start (FK)
- 3.6 - SHUTTERING
- 3.7 - COUNT CONVERT
- 3.8 - OPTACQUIRE
- 3.8.1 - OptAcquire modes
- 3.9 - PUSHING FRAME RATES WITH CROPPED SENSOR MODE
- 3.9.1 - Cropped Sensor Mode Frame Rates
- 3.10 - ADVANCED PHOTON COUNTING IN EMCCDs
- 3.10.1 - Photon Counting by Post-Process
- 3.11 - SPURIOUS NOISE FILTER
- 4.1 - EMCCD TECHNOLOGY
- 4.1.1 - What is an Electron Multiplying CCD?
- 4.1.2 - Does EMCCD technology eliminate Read Out Noise?
- 4.1.3 - How sensitive are EMCCDs?
- 4.1.4 - What applications are EMCCDs suitable for?
- 4.1.5 - What is Andor Technology's experience with EMCCDs?
- 4.2 - EMCCD SENSOR
- 4.3 - VACUUM HOUSING
- 4.3.1 - Thermoelectric cooler
- 4.4 – USB 2.0 INTERFACE
- 4.5 - OUTGASSING
- 4.6 - EXTERNAL I/O
- 4.7 - SIGNAL DIAGRAMS
- 4.8 - CAMERALINK
- SECTION 5: TROUBLESHOOTING
- 5.1 - UNIT DOES NOT SWITCH ON
- 5.2 - SUPPORT DEVICE NOT RECOGNISED WHEN PLUGGED INTO PC
- 5.3 - TEMPERATURE TRIP ALARM SOUNDS (CONTINUOUS TONE)
- 5.4 - CAMERA HIGH FIFO FILL ALARM
- 5.5 - USE OF MULTIPLE HIGH SPEED USB 2.0 I/O ON ONE CAMERA
- A.1 - GLOSSARY
- A.1.1 - Readout sequence of an EMCCD
- A.1.2 - Accumulation
- A.1.3 - Acquisition
- A.1.4 - A/D Conversion
- A.1.5 - Background
- A.1.6 - Binning
- A.1.7 - Counts
- A.1.8 - Dark Signal
- A.1.9 - Detection Limit
- A.1.10 - Exposure Time
- A.1.11 - Frame Transfer
- A.1.12 - NOISE
- A.1.12.1 - Pixel Noise
- A.1.12.1.1 - Readout Noise
- A.1.12.1.2 - Shot Noise
- A.1.12.1.2.A - Shot Noise from the Signal
- A.1.12.1.2.B - Shot Noise from the Dark Signal
- A.1.12.1.3 - Calculation of Total Pixel Noise
- A.1.12.2 - Fixed Pattern Noise
- A.1.13 - Quantum Efficiency/Spectral Response
- A.1.14 - Readout
- A.1.15 - Saturation
- A.1.16 - Scans (Keep Clean and Acquired)
- A.1.17 - Shift Register
- A.1.18 - Signal To Noise Ratio
- B - MECHANICAL DIMENSIONS
- C - DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
- D - HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE WARRANTY SERVICE
- D.1 - SERVICE DESCRIPTION
- D.2 - Access to Service
- D.3 - Hardware Remediation
- D.4 - Software Remediation
- E - THE WASTE ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS 2006 (WEEE)

Version 1.1 rev Jan 2013
Page 20
iXon Ultra
Introduction to iXon Ultra Hardware
1.7 - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND MAINTENANCE
1.7.1 - Care of the camera
WARNINGS:
1. The camera is a precision scientic instrument containing fragile components. Always handle with the care
necessary for such instruments.
2. There are no user serviceable parts inside the camera. If the head is opened the warranty will be void.
3. The camera should be mounted so that the mains supply can be easily disconnected. In case of emergency,
the disconnecting device is the mains lead. This will either be the mains lead connected to the product or, in the
case of a cabinet-based system, the mains lead to the cabinet.
4. To prevent accidental internal damage to the camera, objects small enough to enter the slots on the sides of
the camera should be placed well away from these slots.
5. Ensure that a minimum clearance of approximately 100 mm (4”) is maintained in front of all ventilation slots and
the fan inlet. Cooling performance cannot be guaranteed unless these criteria are observed.
6. Only use a dry, clean, lint free cloth to clean all painted surfaces. If necessary, use a water diluted detergent to
lightly dampen the cloth - do not use Isopropyl alcohol, solvents or aerosols.
7. To clean the window, remove loose particulate matter with an oil-free air blower. If the component is still not
clean, it may be drag wiped using folded lint free, clean, lens tissue dampened with pure methanol.
8. If the equipment is used in a manner not stated by Andor, the protection provided by the equipment may be
impaired.










