Andor Sona sCMOS Camera

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The Back-Illuminated sCMOS Microscopy Camera You’ve Been Waiting For..

Sona is Andor’s latest high performance sCMOS camera platform, specifically for fluorescence microscopy. It launches with Sona 4.2B-11 and Sona 2.0B-11, each featuring 95% Quantum Efficiency (QE) and market-leading vacuum cooling to -45 ^°C.

Andor’s unique capability to deliver the ultimate in sCMOS sensitivity means signal to noise can be optimized in fluorescence microscopy under conditions of reduced excitation power, thus preserving living cells during extended measurement periods. The superior sensitivity of Sona also compliments reduction of fluorophore concentrations, thus minimally perturbing the cell’s physiology. Higher sensitivity means that exposure times can be shortened, facilitating faster frame rate measurements of dynamic processes, such as intracellular signalling mechanisms or cell motility.  The ‘dual-amplifier’ approach to extended dynamic range is ideal for accurately imaging and quantifying challenging samples such as neurons. Furthermore, to achieve best-in-class quantification accuracy, Andor have implemented enhanced on-head intelligence to deliver market-leading linearity of > 99.7% across the whole dynamic range.

The flagship 4.2 Megapixel Sona 4.2B-11 model utilizes a unique technology approach that enables us to usefully access the entire 2048 x 2048 array, offering an impressive 32 mm sensor diagonal, harnessing the entire field of view available from the microscope. This is perfect for applications that require maximum information content, allowing large fields of cells, whole embryos or tissue samples to be captured with absolute clarity..

Sona 4.2B-11 Field of View Advantage: Sona 4.2B-11 with 2048 x 2048 array has a 62% larger field of viewthan a competing back-illuminated sCMOS camera with a 1608 x 1608 array. Captured using a Nikon Ti2 microscope with 60x objective and integrated 1.5x tube lens, accessing the full 2048 x 2048 array while preserving Nyquist resolving clarity. Note that the Andor Magnifying Coupler Unit (MCU) can also be use used to provide additional magnification across a wide range of microscope ports.

• Sona 4.2B-11 (4.2 Megapixel) comes with F-mount attachment as standard, however for maximum flexibility Andor also offer an optional C-mount coupling that is readily exchangeable by the user, usable with ROI sizes up to 1400 x 1400 (2 Megapixel).
• Sona 2.0B-11 (2 Megapixel) is native C-mount and is adaptable to various microscope c-mount port diameters, up to 22 mm. The 1400 x 1400 full array size of this model is suited to modern 22 mm C-mount ports and maximizes the field of view available through this common mount type. However, pre-configured, centrally positioned ROIs are available, directly relating to various smaller microscope port sizes

Sona is the only vacuum back-illuminated sCMOS platform. As well as affording superior minimization of the noise floor, the performance longevity benefits of Andor’s vacuum sensor enclosure should not be overlooked. Unless protected, back-illuminated silicon sensors are susceptible to attack from moisture, hydrocarbons and other gas contaminants, resulting in gradual performance decline, including QE decline. Andor’s proprietary UltraVac^TM process uses a hermetic vacuum seal, completely preventing any gas and moisture ingress from the outside environment, avoiding moisture condensation on the sensor and the need to return to factory for repair.