Astronomy Cameras - sCMOS, SWIR, EMCCD & CCD

Andor's product portfolio incorporates a range of high-performance detector solutions for Astronomy, from faster time resolution sCMOS and EMCCD cameras to slow scan CCDs. Across each technology category, low noise floor and back-illuminated QE options are common, as are very large area sensor solutions for maximum sky coverage. Crucially, Andor’s unparalleled commitment to superb quality, vacuum innovation and ease of maintenance is instilled throughout the portfolio, intended to maximize your observing time and to minimize cost of ownership.

iKon CCD series - Up to 16.8 Megapixel back-illuminated CCDs, including NIR optimized, with -100 °C TE cooling.
iXon EMCCD series - single photon sensitivity and > 90% QE at high speed.
sCMOS camera series - up to 24.5 Megapixel, > 90% QE options, very high-speed readout with ultra-low noise floor.
C-RED SWIR Cameras Series - Sensitivity up to 2.5 µm, Single Photon Sensitive solutions, Up to 3500 images per second.

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Astronomy Camera Comparison - sCMOS, SWIR, EMCCD & CCD

The illustration below should help you to find out more about each of our astronomy solutions. We offer a comprehensive suite of advanced imaging solutions tailored for astronomy, including sCMOS, SWIR, CCD, and EMCCD cameras.

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See also: ASTRO.control – A remote camera server and software solutions for Andor cameras.

SWIR Cameras for Physical Science & Astronomy

We also offer a range of SWIR Cameras for Astronomy that provide superb sensitivity and speed performance across the Short-Wave Infra-Red wavelength domain. Technologies include market-leading InGaAs and the unique single photon sensitive ‘e-APD MCT’ imaging innovation.

Sensitivity up to 2.5 µm
Single Photon Sensitive solutions
Up to 3500 images per second
Deep cooled for thermal noise minimization
Imaging and Spectroscopy solutions

Key Applications: Astronomy, Adaptive Optics, Interferometry, Laser Beam Profiling, Hyperspectral Imaging, Advanced Materials and Chemistry

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Large Area CCDs for Imaging and Spectroscopic Surveys

Andor’s innovative approach to ultra-high performance has delivered iKon-XL, a very large area CCD platform that uniquely cools a back-illuminated 16.8 MEGAPIXEL sensor to -100°C. The 4 Megapixel iKon-L camera has long been the mainstay detector for many observing projects, including SuperWasp and Next Generation Transit Survey exoplanet programs.

16.8 Megapixel back-illuminated CCDs (e2v)
TE cooling to -100 °C - NO liquid nitrogen or cryo-cooling
Near Infra-Red optimization - dwarf star detection
18-bit Extended Dynamic Range technology

Key Applications: Exoplanet detection (Transit and Radial Velocimetry), Wide Field Spectroscopic Survey, Photometry, Supernova detection.

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EMCCDs for Fast Time Resolution with Ultimate Sensitivity

Featuring single photon sensitivity, TE cooling to -100 °C and > 95% QE, the iXon EMCCD range has been central to many demanding, light-starved observing initiatives, such as the RAVEN ‘Multi-Object Adaptive Optics’ system at the Subaru Telescope (Hawaii), CHIMERA, the Caltech high speed multi-color camera for detecting transiting objects in the Kuiper Belt, and SOFIA (pictured).

With the single photon sensitive EMCCD cameras, Andor have delivered a dedicated, truly high-end, yet accessible scientific camera platform, designed specifically to drive the absolute best from ultra-sensitive EMCCD technology across all critical performance specs and parameters.

Single photon sensitivity
Quantum efficiency > 95%
Up to 1 Megapixel
26 - 2067 full frames per second

Key Applications: Wavefront sensors, High time resolution astrophysics,
Speckle/Lucky imaging and Occultations.

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sCMOS for Fast Time Resolution and Large Sky Surveys

Including the new Balor very large area 16.9 Megapixel camera and Marana back-illuminated platform, scientific CMOS (sCMOS) technology is especially relevant for faster time resolution astronomy, combining high resolution / large field of view coverage of the sky with very fast readout capability, yet without sacrificing ultra-low noise performance, with a further key benefit of avoiding mechanical shutters. The ZL41 Wave is a superb ‘workhorse’ sCMOS for astronomy, an ideal balance of versatility and superb price/performance value. Furthermore, CB2 is the newest cost-effective, low noise and very high resolution sCMOS platform, ideally suited to large sky surveys, lucky astronomy/speckle interferometry and adaptive optics.

Large FOV up to 70mm diagonal (16.9 Megapixel)
Extremely low noise down to 0.9 e^-
QE up to 95% (back-illuminated)
Rapid frame rates up to 1594 fps (full frame)
Multi-amplifier extended dynamic range technology
ZL41 Wave price/performance workhorse camera

Key Applications: Solar Astronomy, Orbital Debris Tracking, Solar System Objects Detection, Exoplanet Discovery, Speckle/Lucky Imaging (Large FOV), Occultations, Pulsars, Atmospheric Science, Wavefront sensors and Large Sky Surveys.