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sCMOS, EMCCD and CCD Cameras for Astronomy

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 16.9 Megapixel, > 90% QE options, very high-speed readout with ultra-low noise floor.
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Astronomy Camera Comparison Tool

The illustration below should help you to find the perfect solution for your Astronomy needs. Whether it is speed, resolution, field of view or even budget that you care most about, you can find it here. Alternatively, contact our Astronomy specialists and let them know what it is you're looking for.

Alternatively, contact our Astronomy specialists and let them know what it is you're looking for.
CCD

16.8 MP

iKon-XL

iKon-XL

Dynamic Range
Back-illuminated QE
Low Noise
Resolution
FOV
Speed
Budget

4.2 MP

iKon-L

iKon-L

Dynamic Range
Back-illuminated QE
Low Noise
Resolution
FOV
Speed
Budget
EMCCD

2 MP

iXon-Ultra

iXon-Ultra

Dynamic Range
Back-illuminated QE
Low Noise
Resolution
FOV
Speed
Budget
sCMOS

16.9 MP

Balor

Balor

Dynamic Range
Front-illuminated QE
Low Noise
Resolution
FOV
Speed
Budget

4.2 MP

Marana

Marana

Dynamic Range
Back-illuminated QE
Low Noise
Resolution
FOV
Speed
Budget

5.5 & 4.2 MP

ZL41 Wave

ZL41 Wave

Dynamic Range
Front-illuminated QE
Low Noise
Resolution
FOV
Speed
Budget
Key Applications
Exoplanet Studies
Large Sky Surveys
Asteroid Observations
Photometry
Astro-Spectroscopy
X-ray Astronomy
Variable Stars
Long term Monitoring
Exoplanet Studies
Lucky Imaging
Speckle Imaging
Photometry
Guiding
Adaptive Optics
Astrophysics
Low Light Apps
Space Debris Tracking
Solar Astronomy
NEOs
Asteroid Observations
Guiding
Adaptive Optics
Astrophysics
X-ray Astronomy
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See also: ASTRO.control – A remote camera server and software solutions for Andor cameras.

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 Application: 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).

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 solution, 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. New ZL41 Wave is the ideal workhorse sCMOS for astronomy, an ideal balance of versatility and superb price/performance value.

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.

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