The Andor Marano sCMOS Camera is a high performance sCMOS camera platform that is ideal for diverse applications within the physical sciences such as astronomy, Bose Einstein Condensation, quantum optics, hyperspectral imaging, neutron tomography and fast spectroscopy.
Both of the Marana models – Marana 4.2B-11 and Marana 4.2B-6 – feature 4.2 Megapixel sensors, 95% Quantum Efficiency (QE) and vacuum cooling to -45 °C, making Marana the most sensitive back-illuminated sCMOS platform available. Andor’s ability to deliver sCMOS sensitivity means Signal to Noise can be optimized under light starved conditions, ideal for tracking smaller orbital objects, spectroscopic detection of trace concentrations and BEC fluorescence detection of discrete numbers of atoms/ions. Higher sensitivity also means that exposure times can be shortened, facilitating faster frame rate measurements of dynamic processes.
The Andor Marano sCMOS reads out 4.2 Megapixel high resolution arrays in less than 50 milliseconds, while maintaining very low read noise; hundreds of times faster than a similar resolution CCD detector.
The innovative ‘dual-amplifier’ approach to extended dynamic range is ideal for accurately visualizing and quantifying challenging scenes that have both extremely weak and bright regions, such as solar measurements and spectroscopic materials characterizations.
Furthermore, to achieve best-in-class quantification accuracy, Andor has implemented enhanced on-head intelligence to deliver linearity of > 99.7% across the whole dynamic range, ideal for accurate photometry.
The Marana 4.2B-11 offers a large field of view option utilizing a unique Anti-Glow Technology approach that enables one to usefully access the entire 2048 x 2048 array, offering a 32mm sensor diagonal, which in combination with fast frame rates up to 24 fps (16-bit) and 48 fps (12-bit), renders the camera ideal for large sky scanning astronomy applications such as orbital debris tracking and Near Earth Asteroid detection. It is also ideal for dense multi-fiber hyperspectral applications. The Marana 4.2B-11 also comes with a choice of QE profiles, the UV enhanced option (‘BU’) extending usefulness towards specific application requirements between 260nm and 400nm.
The Marana 4.2B-6 is a high-speed model that achieves 74 fps (16-bit) and is the most sensitive back-illuminated camera available for imaging or spectroscopic applications requiring fast frame rates, such as Quantum Gas dynamics, fast high resolution spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging and non-destructive imaging of sample dynamics via X-Ray or Neutron Radiography. The smaller 6.5 μm pixel is better suited to resolution matching across many laboratory-based optical imaging configurations, as well as in echelle spectroscopy.
The Marana platform can be readily adapted to Adaptive Optics wavefront sensing. Not only is it capable of producing hundreds of fps with ROIs, it is also specifically architected to minimize data transfer lag. Furthermore, the fast frame rate of Marana can be harnessed to massively extend dynamic range and effective well depth through fast stacking (accumulation) of images or spectra.
Highlights of both All Marana models include:
– Up to 95% QE & lowest noise: Maximum signal to noise for light starved measurements. Detect smaller orbital debris; BEC fluorescence.
– Vacuum cooled to -45°C: Very weak signals require lowest noise floor and longer exposures.
– 4.2 Megapixel: High pixel resolution, maintaining image clarity over an extended field of view.
– The ONLY vacuum back-illuminated sCMOS Andor’s proprietary UltraVac technology protects the sensor from (a) QE degradation, and (b) moisture condensation.
– Extended Dynamic Range (EDR) Mode: ‘One snap quantification’ across the full dynamic range – perfect for Photometry.
– > 99.7% linearity: Market leading quantitative accuracy over the whole signal range.
– Fan and liquid cooling as standard: Liquid cooling for maximum sensitivity.
– Adaptive Optics Ready: Minimize lag after data collection – transfer of row data immediately after exposing.
Highlights specific to the Marana 4.2B-11 (11 μm pixels)
– Anti-Glow Technology: Suppresses the effects of sensor amplifier glow, allowing access to the full 4.2 Megapixel array.
– 11 μm pixels and 32 mm sensor diagonal: Largest field of view sCMOS, compatible with wide range of acquisition times. Large sky scanning; Tomography.
– UV-Sensitive: High QE between 200 – 400nm. Ideal for UV wafer inspection.
Highlights specific to the Marana 4.2B-6 (6.5 μm pixels):
– 6.5 μm pixels: Smaller pixels better suited to some optical systems, e.g. echelle astrospectroscopy and cold atom imaging.
– USB 3.0 and CoaXPress connectivity options: USB 3.0 provides flexibility. CoaXPress enables the highest speeds to capture the most dynamic events.
– Low Noise Mode: Further reduces read noise floor at expense of pixel well depth, while maintaining a fast frame rate. Ideal when highest possible sensitivity is a priority.
– High Speed Mode: Acquire images at high speeds of up to 74 fps in full frame 16-bit mode via CoaXPress! Boost speeds even further using regions of interest.
– Superfast Spectroscopy Ready: On-head vertical pixel binning, ideal for dynamic spectroscopy (up to >25,000 spectra/sec).
Marana 4.2B-11 specifications:
Sensor Type: Back-Illuminated Scientific CMOS
Array Size: 2048 (W) x 2048 (H) 4.2 Megapixel
Pixel Size: 11 x 11 μm
Image Area: 22.5 mm x 22.5 mm (31.9 mm diagonal)
Readout Modes: Rolling Shutter
Pixel readout rate: 100 MHz (High Dynamic Range mode, 16-bit) 200 MHz (Fast Speed mode, 12-bit)
Quantum Efficiency: Up to 95%
Read Noise (e-) median: 1.6 e- (at any readout rate)
Dark Current Air cooled (@-25°C ) Water/liquid cooled (@ -45°C): 0.7 e-/pixel/s; 0.3 e-/pixel/s
Linearity: > 99.7%
Photon Response Non-Uniformity (PRNU): < 0.5% (@ half-light range)
Data range: 16-bit (High Dynamic Range mode); 2-bit (Fast Speed mode)
Interface: USB 3.0
Marana 4.2B-6 specifications:
Sensor Type: Back-Illuminated Scientific CMOS
Array Size: 2048 (W) x 2048 (H) 4.2 Megapixel
Pixel Size: 6.5 x 6.5 μm
Image Area: 13.3 mm x 13.3 mm (18.8 mm diagonal)
Readout Modes: Rolling Shutter
Pixel readout rate: 310 MHz (Fast High Dynamic Range mode, 16-bit) 180 MHz (Low Noise mode, 12-bit)
Quantum Efficiency: Up to 95%
Read Noise (e-) median: 1.6 e- (Fast High Dynamic Range mode, 16-bit); 1.2 e- (Low Noise mode, 12-bit)
Dark Current Air cooled (@-25°C ) Water/liquid cooled (@ -45°C): 0.15 e-/pixel/s; 0.10 e-/pixel/s
Linearity: > 99.7%
Photon Response Non-Uniformity (PRNU): < 0.5% (@ half-light range)
Data range: 16-bit (Fast High Dynamic Range mode); 12-bit (Low Noise mode)
Aa Interface: USB 3.0 and CoaXPress
You can learn more about the Andor Marano sCMOS Camera line here.
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