iKon Cooled CCD Microscope Cameras for Long Exposure

The iKon ‘slow scan’ CCD camera series features unique thermoelectric cooling to -100°C for industry-leading low noise performance coupled with highly efficient back-illuminated photon collection across a broad spectral range, and exceptional dynamic range. The iKon series is aimed at applications such as plant imaging or in vivo luminescence experiments that require exposure durations of minutes, or even hours.

Large Field of View
Market-leading thermoelectric cooling to -100 °C
Back-illuminated > 95% QE
Optimal signal to noise performance at long exposures

iKon CCD Microscope Camera Applications

iKon deep-cooled CCDs are suited primarily to ‘slow’ low-light imaging applications that typically involve long exposures (from tens of seconds to minutes or even hours) combined with a relatively slow image readout, typified by usage in astronomy or weak luminescence detection. However, a special Fast Kinetics mode can be accessed to obtain bursts of data with microsecond dynamics, extending imaging flexibility. A combination of low noise floor, excellent photon response over a wide optical wavelength range and superb image uniformity guides the usage of iKon CCDs.

Plant Imaging

The deep cooled iKon CCD series are the reference detectors for challenging plant imaging studies. Typically, the iKon camera is fitted with a lens and installed in a light-tight dark-box with temperature and illumination controls. Exclusive vacuum technology and precise temperature regulation provides the deepest possible cooling to minimize dark current to the lowest levels. With this ultra-low noise floor, the many aspects of plant biology for Arabidopsis and other plant models can be studied in precise detail by monitoring changes in luciferase activity.

The iKon-M model has a 1 Megapixel sensor with 19 mm diagonal suited to C-mount lens. For those needing a wider field of view, the larger iKon-L uses a 4.2 Megapixel format with F-mount fitment that allows a 39 mm diagonal field of view. Both models feature integrated shutters to avoid signal smear during readout. Extension tubes are available to adjust the focal distance.

In Vivo Bioluminescence

During bioluminescence light is emitted directly from the specimen without the need for excitation light. With no autofluorescence or scattering this allows for a high signal to background ratio. A further benefit for in vivo studies is that photobleaching and phototoxic effects can be minimized permitting study over extended duration.

Since the signals of bioluminescence are so weak it is essential that the detector has exceptionally low dark current. This is possible with the iKon CCD cameras via exclusive vacuum technology that provides the deepest possible cooling. When coupled with optimal photon collection efficiency from large pixels with >90% QE, the iKon CCD cameras allow detection of subtle yet important information from the specimen that would be missed using less optimal CCD cameras.

The iKon-M model has a 1 Megapixel sensor with 19 mm diagonal suited to C-mount lens. For those needing a wider field of view the larger iKon-L uses a 4.2 Megapixel format with F-mount fitment that allows a 39 mm diagonal field of view. Both models feature integrated shutters to avoid signal smear during readout. Extension tubes are available to adjust the focal distance. Extended response into the NIR is also possible allowing multi-reporter systems and improved sensitivity in deeper.

Bacterial Luminescence

Bacterial bioluminescence plays a key part of bacteria cell-to-cell communication termed quorum sensing. Quorum sensing is known to allow changes in gene expression during changing population densities and in response to environmental conditions. It is also important in biofilm formation and virulence. Bacterial luminescence can also be exploited to make sensitive measurements as luciferase reporters for genetic expression, cell viability assays or as the basis of biosensors. Bacterial luminescence is even weaker than other forms meaning that the imaging detector must have the minimum noise over exposure durations of minutes. The iKon deep cooled CCD cameras are thus perfect for these studies with their class leading low noise performance allows detection of subtle changes in expression.

When moving from typical luminescence experiments towards studies at the single cell level, even higher sensitivity may be required. For such studies we recommend the iXon EMCCD series: find out why in our Single Cell Bioluminescence Solution Note.

CCD Microscope Cameras for Luminescence Microscopy

Andor offer a portfolio of deep cooled, back-illuminated CCD cameras, spanning a range of field of view requirements and offering optimized response across a very broad spectral range.

iKon-L 936

Large Field of View for Luminescence

4.2 Megapixel & 13.5 µm pixel: 39 mm diagonal
F mount (EF option)
Low maintenance vacuum TE cooling to -100 °C
Deep-depletion NIR options
Fast Kinetics Mode (µs dynamics)

Specifications

iKon-M 934

Medium Field of View for Luminescence

1 Megapixel & 13 µm pixel: 19 mm diagonal
C-mount
Low maintenance vacuum TE cooling to -100 °C
Deep-depletion NIR options
Fast Kinetics Mode (µs dynamics)

Specifications

Low Maintenance Operation

The UltraVac™ permanent vacuum enclosure of the iKon series is particularly relevant to the needs of long exposure experiments, where cameras need not only need the lowest possible thermal noise but tight thermal control over extended durations. Furthermore, thermoelectric cooling down to -100 °C, even for very large area sensors, circumvents the need to utilize liquid nitrogen or unreliable compressed gas coolers in order to minimize camera darkcurrent.

Model	iKon-L 936	iKon-M 934
Sensor Format	2048 x 2048	1024 x 1024
Sensor Diagonal (mm)	39	18.8
Pixel Size (µm)	13.5	13
QE max (%)	95	95
QE Profile Options	BV, BU2, BR-DD, BEX2-DD, FI	BV, BU2, BR-DD, BEX2-DD, FI
Cooling (°C)	-100	-100
Darkcurrent (e-/pix/sec)	0.000059	0.00012
Read Noise (rms e-)	2.9	2.9
Pixel Well Depth (e-)	150,000	130,000
Digitization	16-bit	16-bit
Readout Rates (MHz)	0.05, 1, 3, 5	0.05, 1, 3, 5
Readout Ports	1	1
Fastest Full Image Readout Time (sec)	1.05	0.23
Timestamp	TTL	TTL
Interface	USB 2.0	USB 2.0
Learn More	Specifications	Specifications
Request Pricing	Request Pricing	Request Pricing

Market-leading CCD Sensitivity

All iKon models offer a complimentary combination of technologies that ensure maximum Signal to Noise ratio under very low light signal conditions.

-100 °C thermoelectric cooling: Market-leading permanent vacuum cooling ensures that darkcurrent is minimized across a range of long exposure durations ranging from minutes to hours.
Minimized read noise: Often regarded as the true detection limit, Andor optimizes and minimizes the read noise floor for each camera shipped.
Back-illuminated QE & NIR enhancement: All iKon CCD sensors are back-illuminated, maximizing photon collection through highest possible QE, including deep depletion technology for enhanced NIR response (complimented by fringe-suppression technology to reduce NIR etaloning).

Quantum efficiency versus wavelength of the standard Silicon (‘BV’) and deep depletion (‘BR-DD’ and ‘BEX2-DD’) iKon-XL & iKon-L sensor options.

Quantum efficiency versus wavelength of the standard Silicon (‘BV’) and deep depletion (‘BR-DD’ and ‘BEX2-DD’) iKon-L sensor options. By extending QE response into the NIR it allows more potential for multi-parametric luminescence and fluorescence imaging for multi-reporters systems and for better compatibility with deeper tissues for in vivo studies.

CCD Large Field of View

The iKon-M features a 19 mm diagonal which maximises field of view from the popular C-mount format. An even larger 39 mm field of view is possible from the iKon-L that uses a 4.2 Megapixel sensor and F-mount. Extension tubes sets are available to adjust the focal distance.

Note when a large field of view is required for faster photometric or fluorescence experiments (ranging from milliseconds to tens of seconds) we recommend checking the Sona back-illuminated sCMOS and iXon Ultra and Life 888 EMCCD models.

Learning Centre Resources

Detectors for Luminescence Imaging Experiments

Challenge Background Luminescence-based genetic reporter systems allow for exceptional sensitivity and are widely used to study gene expression in plants, bacteria and fo...

In Vivo Bioluminescence based Studies of the Circadian Clock in Arabidopsis

Research Group All organisms from basic single-cell organisms through to complex multicellular organisms, including humans, are subject to a 24-hour cycle due to the rotation o...

Single-cell, Extremely low-light Bioluminescence Imaging

Challenge Background Bioluminescence imaging involving luciferase has been widely used as a reporter system for a wide range of intracellular mechanism involving gene express...

Overview of Bio/Chemi-Luminescence in Life Sciences

Bioluminescence refers to the ability of living things to produce light and represents a fascinating and profoundly useful area of biophotonic research. Not only is it of intere...

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