Andor Technology (Andor), an Oxford Instruments company and specialist in scientific imaging and spectroscopy solutions, announced the launch of the new Balor-X, a very large area ultrasensitive sCMOS camera for indirect X-ray and neutron imaging. Boasting a unique combination of 16.9 Megapixel sensor with rapid 54 frames per second full frame, ultra low-noise and high dynamic range, Balor is a versatile tool for high energy physics applications such as hard X-ray / neutron-based tomographic or in situ dynamic phenomena diagnostics. Balor-x’s large field of view enables versatility not only in the analysis of larger samples but also the examination of smaller samples at higher resolutions.
Balor-X’s exceptionally fast readout allows up to 1,600 fps with region-of interest, considerably reducing acquisition time of extensive tomographic datasets as well as allowing better sampling of dynamic transient in situ phenomena on the 100’s of µs scale. When minimizing beam line time is paramount, not only does Balor-X acquire data rapidly but it in turn gives researchers greater experimental throughput and the ability to couple imaging with complementary techniques such as X-ray and neutron scattering and diffraction.
It also enables researchers to make the most out of high and low X-ray and neutron flux environments, with its low read noise, deep well depth, deep cooling/low dark current performance Balor-X achieves the best signal-to-noise and image contrast. The wide dynamic range is complemented by enhanced on-head intelligence to deliver market-leading linearity of > 99.7%, for unparalleled quantitative accuracy of measurement across the full signal range. Such capability is ideal for resolving nanoscale features across a wide range of different material absorbances.
Andor’s proprietary UltraVac technology uniquely protects the delicate sCMOS sensor from damage by moisture and other gas contaminants, thus preserving both QE and stable cooling performance year after year, removing the need to have the camera re-pumped and offering a diverse product that can be rapidly moved from application to application. sCMOS shutter-less technology also addresses the inconvenience associated with traditional mechanical shutter with their limited repetition rates and lifetime.
Balor delivers both Rolling Shutter and Global (Snapshot) Shutter exposure modes, with the latter being used for applications where every pixel across the array must carry the same relative exposure timing correlation, such as in situ radiography experiments.
Back to Products
