Oxford Instruments ANDOR Clara Installation instructions

Clara
Version 2.0 rev 24 Mar 2015
Hardware Guide
andor.com © Andor Technology 2015

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CONTENTS
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 7
1.1 HELP AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT ........................................................................................ 7
1.2 DISCLAIMER............................................................................................................................ 9
1.3 TRADEMARKS AND PATENT INFORMATION ........................................................................ 9
1.4 COMPONENTS ...................................................................................................................... 10
1.4.1 OptiOnal accessOries ............................................................................................ 10
SECTION 2: PRODUCT OVERVIEW.................................................................................................. 11
2.1 FRONT VIEW................................................................................................................... 11
2.1.1 ccD sensOr ......................................................................................................... 11
2.1.2 camera WinDOW .................................................................................................... 11
2.1.3 c-mOunt............................................................................................................... 11
2.1.4 cOOling slOts ....................................................................................................... 11
2.2 REAR PANEL ......................................................................................................................... 12
2.2.1 usB 2.0 cOnnectiOn ............................................................................................. 12
2.2.2 cOOling Fan .......................................................................................................... 12
2.2.3 multi i/O timing caBle cOnnectiOn ....................................................................... 12
2.2.3.1 multi i/O timing caBle pin Outs ............................................................... 12
2.2.4 pOWer input .......................................................................................................... 13
2.2.5 pOWer sWitch ....................................................................................................... 13
2.2.6 pOWer supply unit (psu) ..................................................................................... 13
2.2.7 pOWer cOnnectiOn pin-Outs .................................................................................. 14
SECTION 3: INSTALLATION .............................................................................................................. 15
3.1 SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS.................................................................................................. 15
3.2 MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS ................................................................................................ 15
3.3 INSTALLING THE CAMERA DRIVERS .................................................................................. 15
3.4 SYSTEM CONNECTION ........................................................................................................ 16
3.5 INSTALLING SOFTWARE (SOLIS OR SDK) ......................................................................... 16

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SECTION 4: OPERATION ................................................................................................................... 17
4.1 EMERGENCY MAINS DISCONNECTION............................................................................... 17
4.2 POWER-UP SEQUENCE ........................................................................................................ 17
4.3 POWER-DOWN SEQUENCE.................................................................................................. 17
4.4 RISK MITIGATION................................................................................................................... 17
4.4.1 mechanical hOusings ............................................................................................. 17
4.4.2 hazarDs Due tO mOisture Or liquiDs ...................................................................... 17
4.5 USING THE CLARA ................................................................................................................ 18
4.5.1 ccD setup OptiOns FOr the clara ......................................................................... 18
4.5.2 extenDeD ir mODe .................................................................................................. 19
4.5.3 Fan settings ......................................................................................................... 19
4.5.4 Output Dacs......................................................................................................... 20
4.6 TIMING PARAMETERS........................................................................................................... 20
4.6.1 using shutters ...................................................................................................... 20
4.6.2 time tO Open Or clOse ........................................................................................... 21
4.6.3 expOsure time ........................................................................................................ 22
4.6.4 accumulate cycle time & nO. OF accumulatiOns..................................................... 23
4.6.5 Kinetic series length & Kinetic cycle time ............................................................. 23
SECTION 5: MAINTENANCE.............................................................................................................. 24
5.1 CLEANING AND DECONTAMINATION .................................................................................. 24
5.2 REGULAR CHECKS................................................................................................................ 24
5.3 ANNUAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY CHECKS............................................................................. 24
5.4 FUSE REPLACEMENT............................................................................................................ 24
SECTION 6: TROUBLESHOOTING .................................................................................................... 25
6.1 CAMERA BUZZER DOES NOT SOUND ON START-UP ........................................................ 25
6.2 CAMERA IS NOT RECOGNIZED BY PC ................................................................................ 25
6.3 BUZZER SOUNDS CONTINUOUSLY ..................................................................................... 25
6.4 FAN NOT OPERATING AS EXPECTED .................................................................................. 25
6.5 CAMERA DOES NOT COOL TO THE REQUIRED TEMPERATURE...................................... 25
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SECTION 7: SPECIFICATIONS......................................................................................................... 26
7.1 CAMERA TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS........................................................................... 26
7.2 CAMERA .............................................................................................................................. 26
7.3 ENVIRONMENTAL ............................................................................................................... 27
APPENDIX A: GLOSSARY................................................................................................................ 28
APPENDIX B: MECHANICAL DRAWINGS....................................................................................... 38
APPENDIX C: OTHER INFORMATION............................................................................................. 39
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SAFETY AND WARNING INFORMATION
PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION FIRST BEFORE USING YOUR CLARA INTERLINE CAMERA.
1. To ensure correct and safe operation of this product, please read this guide before use and keep it in a safe place for future
reference
2. If equipment is used in a manner not specied by Andor, the protection provided by the equipment may be impaired
3. Before using the system, please follow and adhere to all warnings, safety, manual handling and operating instructions located
either on the product or in this manual
4. The Andor Clara is a precision scientic instrument containing fragile components. Always handle with care
5. Do not expose the product to extreme hot or cold temperatures
8. Do not expose the product to open ames
9. Do not allow objects to fall on the product
10. Do not expose the product to moisture, wet or spill liquids on the product. Do not store or place liquids on the product. If a
spillage occurs on the product, switch off power immediately, and wipe off with dry, lint-free cloth. If any ingress has occurred or
is suspected, unplug mains cable, do not use, and contact Andor service
11. The product contains components that are extremely sensitive to static electricity and radiated electromagnetic elds, and
therefore should not be used, or stored, close to EMI/RFI generators, electrostatic eld generators, electromagnetic or
radioactive devices, or other similar sources of high energy elds
12. Operation of the system close to intense pulsed sources (e.g. plasma sources, arc welders, radio frequency generators, X-ray
instruments, and pulsed discharge optical sources) may compromise performance if shielding of the Clara is inadequate
13. This product is not designed to provide protection from ionising radiation. Any customer using this product in such an
application should provide their own protection
14. The Andor Clara is for use in research laboratories and other controlled scientic environments
15. This equipment has not been designed and manufactured for the medical diagnosis of patients
16. Use only the power supply cord provided with the system for this unit. Should this not be correct for your geographical area
contact your local Andor representative
17. Only the correctly specied mains supply and fuse must be used
18. Make sure the electrical cord is located so that it will not be subject to damage
19. There are no user-serviceable parts beyond the specied user accessible areas of the product and the enclosure must not be
opened. Only authorised service personnel may service this equipment
RegulatoRy ComplianCe
The Clara complies with the requirements of the EU EMC and LV Directives
through testing to EN 61326-1 and EN 61010-1.
This product requires a DC power supply

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Revision HistoRy
Version Released Description
1.0 25 Oct 2011 Initial Release
2.0 24 Mar 2015
Presentation enhanced and minor edits throughout (all sections).
Improved description of camera hardware (Section 2)
Removal of Solis software content- obsolete replicated information. This is covered in full in the
Solis in-application help.
Specications expanded (Section 7)
Update to Terms and Conditions, CE and WEE Statements, providing link to latest up to date
information on the Andor webpage (Appendix C).

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Introduction
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing the Andor Clara. Andor’s CCD (Charge Coupled Device) exploits the processing power of
today’s desk-top computers. USB 2.0 connectivity ensures a seamless interface with the camera, as well as generating
and receiving the signals you use to work with most stanadrd pulsed sources. From the outset, the Clara has been
designed for ease of use. Under Solis software control, it serves as both a multi-channel detector and a linear image
sensor, catering for a broad range of imaging applications.
Figure 1: The Andor Clara Interline CCD Camera
This manual contains useful information and advice to ensure you get the optimum performance from your new system.
If you have any questions regarding your Clara, camera please feel free to contact Andor directly, or via your local
representative or supplier. The Clara is controlled through control software such as Andor Solis. Please refer to the
software guide supplied with your software for further information.
1.1 Help and teCHniCal suppoRt
When the application is running, click the Button or press F1 on the keyboard and the Andor Solis Help dialog box
will open. Click on the area for which you require help and you will be provided with information relevant to the part of
the application from which help was called.
In addition to the main On-Line Help, the system provides help that relates specically to the Andor Basic programming
language. If you are working in a Program Editor Window, context sensitive help is available on the ‘reserved words’ of
the programming language. To activate, with the cursor on, or immediately after a reserved word, press Ctrl + F1.
So, whenever you’re working with a particular window, you’ll nd a section in the User’s Guide that sets that window
in context, reminding you how the window is launched, letting you know what it can do, and telling you what other
windows and operations are associated with it.

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If you have any questions regarding the use of this equipment, please contact the representative* from whom your
system was purchased, or:
Europe
Andor Technology
7 Millennium Way
Springvale Business Park
Belfast
BT12 7AL
Northern Ireland
Tel. [phone]
Fax. [phone]
Asia-Pacic
Andor Technology (Japan)
4F NE Sarugakucho Building
2-7-6 Sarugaku-Cho
Chiyoda-Ku
Tokyo 101-0064
Japan
Tel. [phone]
Fax. [phone]
USA
Andor Technology
425 Sullivan Avenue
Suite # 3
South Windsor
CT 06074
USA
Tel. [phone]
Fax. [phone]
China
Andor Technology
Room 1213, Building B
Luo Ke Time Square
No. 103 Huizhongli
Chaoyang District
Beijing,100101 P.R.
China
Tel: [phone]
Fax. [phone]
*NOTE: the contact details for your nearest representative can be found on our website:
http://www.andor.com/ContactSupport.aspx?type=s
Introduction

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1.2 disClaimeR
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY, CONDITION OR REPRESENTATION OF
ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
IN NO EVENT SHALL ANDOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE, WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL,
CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHERWISE HOWSOEVER CAUSED WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT
OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN.
COPYRIGHT AND PROTECTIVE NOTICES:
The copyright in this document and the associated drawings are the property of Andor Technology and all rights are
reserved. This document and the associated drawings are issued on condition that they are not copied, reprinted or
reproduced, nor their contents disclosed.
The publication of information in this documentation does not imply freedom from any patent or proprietary right of
Andor Technology or any third party.
1.3 tRademaRks and patent infoRmation
Andor, the Andor logo and Solis are trademarks of Andor Technology. Andor is an Oxford Instruments company. All other
marks are property of their owners. Changes are periodically made to the product and these will be incorporated into
new editions of the manual.
New releases of the manual are available through MyAndor: http://my.andor.com/login.aspx.
Introduction

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1.4 Components
The standard components supplied with the Clara are shown in Table 1:
Table 1: Standard Components supplied with the Clara
1.4.1 optional aCCessoRies
There is a range of optional and additional accessories available for your Clara camera including:
• Mounting Flanges
• Multi I/O cable options
• Extension tubes
• Software: Solis, SDK and iQ
Please contact Andor or your nearest Andor representative for further information.
Description Quantity
Clara Interline CCD Camera 1
Description Quantity
USB 2.0 Cable 1 x 3 m
Power Supply Unit
(PS12)
and Country specic
Power Cord
1
Product Manual on CD 1
Introduction

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SECTION 2: PRODUCT OVERVIEW
This section provides an overview of the hardware and main features of the Clara. Further technical information is
outlined in the Appendix A of this manual.
2.1 fRont view
Figure 2: Clara Front View
2.1.1 CCd sensoR
The Clara features a high performance interline CCD Sensor. The sensor is 1392 x 1040 pixels (W xH) with a pixel size of
6.45 x 6.45 μm. A permanent vacuum, using the Andor “UltraVac” system enables deep cooling and elimination of dark
current.
2.1.2 CameRa window
A single camera window protects the sensor and is part of the UltraVac system- refer to the Appendix in this manual for
further information.
2.1.3 C-mount
The C-mount enables simple and effective mounting of the camera to a wide range of standard lenses and devices. A
further mount (¼ -20 UNC thread) is located on the baseplate of the Clara.
2.1.4 Cooling slots
The Clara has a thermo-electric cooled and is air-cooled. A fan allows heat to be drawn away from the CCD sensor and
into the surrounding air. It is therefore important that the cooling slots and fan are not obstructed.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
C-mount
Camera Window
CCD Sensor
Cooling slots

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2.2 ReaR panel
Figure 3: Clara Rear Plate Connections
2.2.1 usB 2.0 ConneCtion
For connection of the Clara to the control PC.
2.2.2 Cooling fan
A cooling fan draws heat from the CCD Sensor. Refer to Appendix A
2.2.3 multi i/o timing CaBle ConneCtion
The multi I/O connection enables interconnection, control and synchronisation between a range of devices. Pin-out
information is provided in the following section.
2.2.3.1 multi i/o timing CaBle pin outs
Figure 4: Multi I/O Cable Pin Outs
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
USB 2.0 Connection
Cooling Fan
Power Input
Power Switch
Multi I/O Timing
Cable Connection

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Table 2: Multi I/O Timing Cable Pinouts 26-way D type connector
1External Trigger 14 I/O data bit 4
2Trigger Invert Input 15 I/O data bit 5
3GND 16 I/O data bit 6
4OutputDAC1 17 I/O data bit 7
5OutputDAC2 18 GND
6GND 19 +5V Output
7Frame Readout 20 GND
8Fire 21 I2C Data
9Interline Shift 22 I2C Clock
10 I/O data bit 0 23 Shutter Output TTL
11 I/O data bit 1 24 Arm
12 I/O data bit 2 25 GND
13 I/O data bit 3 26 GND
• External trigger is a TTL input. By default it triggers on a rising edge. This can be inverted by tying Pin 2 to ground. Note that this can also be
inverted in software.
• Frame Readout, Fire, Interline Shift and Shutter Output are all TTL timing outputs
• OutputDAC1 and OutputDAC2 are 16 bit DAC outputs which can be congured by the user to be up to approximately 10.1 Volts. Maximum
output current which can be drawn is 10mA
• +5V Output is a 5V supply to signal to the user that the camera is powered up. Maximum current which can be drawn is 500mA
• I/O bits (8 off) are user programmable and can either be inputs or outputs. When being used as inputs these default to being weakly pulled high.
The maximum low level input voltage is 1.5V and the minimum high level input voltage is 3.5V. As outputs the maximum “high” level output
current drawn is 0.03mA and the maximum “low” level current which each output can sink is 10mA
• I2C Clock and Data are available for user communication to other I2C devices
2.2.4 poweR input
The Clara is powered via an external power supply unit (PSU). This is described in Section 2.2.6.
2.2.5 poweR switCH
A power switch is located on the rear plate of the Clara for convenience.
2.2.6 poweR supply unit (psu)
The supplied external PSU (PS-12) requires an AC mains input of 100 - 240 V (± 10%), 50/60 Hz (± 10%). Maximum
supply current = 1.4A, with typical power consumption of approximately 75 W.
The output of the PS-12 is 12V DC at 5.0A maximum. The PS-12 PSU is tted with an IEC connector for the electrical
supply input. The connection to the Clara is made via a 4-pin socket.
Figure 5: External Power Supply
PRODUCT OVERVIEW

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The Clara PSU is for use with Telecommunications, Computer, Industrial Controller, and OA Systems and must
only be used indoors
The Clara requires a Direct Current (DC) supply.
The electrical mains lead should be certied for use in your country and in applicable countries the plug must be
tted with a 240V 5A fuse.
If users use any other power supply, they do so at their own risk.
2.2.7 poweR ConneCtion pin-outs
A 4 pin power connector is tted for power connection, details are shown below:
Figure 6: (Left, Camera Connection, Tyco Electronics Part # 6-1437719-4) and (Right, Connector socket Tyco Electronics Part # 3-1437719-3)
WARNING: Ensure that the power switch is in the ‘OFF’ position and the connector orientation is correct before
inserting the power connector. The power connector is ‘keyed’ - Never forcibly insert the connector otherwise
damage to the equipment may occur.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
+12v +12v-ve -ve
Cable alignment key Cable alignment key

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SECTION 3: INSTALLATION
3.1 safety ConsideRations
• Prior to commencing installation, please refer to the Safety and Warning Information at the preface of the
manual and the Specications in Section 7 to ensure all requirements have been met.
• As part of the safety features of the product the Clara must be powered from an SELV (safety extra low voltage)
source. In the case of the standard supplied power supply (PS-12) this unit provides an SELV output and is
designed to have a protective earth connected via the earth pin on the mains plug of the unit. It is important to
ensure that this is connected to the buildings protective earth system.
• The equipment should be positioned so that the mains supply plug/cord can be easily accessed for
disconnection.
3.2 mounting instRuCtions
To prevent damage to the Clara, other equipment and/or personnel the camera must be securely mounted before use.
This can be using either one of the following points:
• The C-Mount on the front face of the camera
• The ¼ -20 UNC threaded holes on the Baseplate (underside of the unit)
Figure 7: Mounting Locations for the Clara
3.3 installing tHe CameRa dRiveRs
1. Terminate & exit any programmes which are running on the PC.
2. Insert the Andor CD. The InstallShield Wizard starts. If it does not start automatically, run the le setup.exe
directly from the CD then follow the on-screen prompts that then appear.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts and select “Clara” as the camera type.
4. Complete the InstallShieldWizard and restart the PC.
INSTALLATION
C-mount
Above: ¼ -20 UNC
Threaded Mounting
Holes (x3) - on baseplate

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3.4 system ConneCtion
Connect the elements of your system in the sequence that follows:
• Power up the PC
• Connect the USB cable between the USB connection on the rear plate and any available USB 2.0 port on the
PC
• Connect the power supply to the Power connection point on the rear of the camera
3.5 installing softwaRe (solis oR sdk)
NOTE: You must have administrator access on your PC to perform this installation.
The same instructions cover the installation procedure for Andor’s Solis software or Andor’s SDK, which is used in
conjunction with third party software. If you are planning to run your camera through a third party interface you will
require the Andor Drivers, called SDK.
Switch on the PC, insert CD and run the “setup.exe” le on the CD or download location.
• Conrm the version of software.
• Follow the on screen prompts.
• Select the installation directory when prompted.
INSTALLATION

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OPERATION
SECTION 4: OPERATION
WARNINGS:
• IF THE EQUIPMENT IS USED IN A MANNER NOT SPECIFIED BY ANDOR OR ITS DISTRIBUTORS, THE
PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE EQUIPMENT MAY BE IMPAIRED.
• READ THE USER GUIDES SUPPLIED WITH YOUR SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND CONTROL SOFTWARE
PRIOR TO USE.
4.1 emeRgenCy mains disConneCtion
In case of emergency, the disconnecting point of the equipment is the mains power cord connected to the external
power supply, or the mains socket switch.
WARNING: SWITCH OFF THE POWER AT THE MAINS SOCKET AND REMOVE THE MAINS LEAD FROM THE
EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY.
4.2 poweR-up sequenCe
Once all system components are connected, the Clara may be turned on as follows:
1. Power up the PC
2. Power up the camera, ensuring that power is ON at the mains power socket.
3. Turn ON the rocker switch on the rear panel of the Clara.
4. Launch the camera control software e.g. Solis
4.3 poweR-down sequenCe
In order to turn the system off, proceed as follows:
1. Exit the software e.g. Solis
2. Switch the Clara off at the power switch located on the rear panel.
3. If the Camera will not be used for some time, switch off and disconnect the power at the mains power socket.
4.4 Risk mitigation
4.4.1 meCHaniCal Housings
Once installed, the camera and any other system components form the protective housings of the product. No
components, panels, connections or linkages should be loosened or removed to avoid exposure to any potentially
hazardous radiation.
4.4.2 HazaRds due to moistuRe oR liquids
Please do not put components including power cables or external power supply in places with high moisture or near
water.

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OPERATION
4.5 using tHe ClaRa
• The Clara is controlled through the control software, for example Solis. Please refer to your Solis Software
Guide for the latest and complete guide to using Solis.
• The following information provides additional information specic to the Clara
4.5.1 CCd setup options foR tHe ClaRa
The clara has a range of setup options available under the Set-up CCD menu in Solis:
ACQUISITION MODE
• Single
• Accumulate
• Kinetic
TRIGGERING
• Internal
• External
• Fast External
• External Exposure
READOUT MODE
• Image
• Multi-Track
• FVB (Full Vertical Binning)
HORIZONTAL PIXEL SHIFT READOUT RATE
• 1MHz at 16-bit
• 10MHz at 14-bit
• 20MHz at 14-bit
HORIZONTAL PIXEL SHIFT PRE-AMPLIFIER GAIN
• 1x
• 2x
MODE
• Normal
• Extended NIR
The Horizontal Pixel Shift Pre-Amplier Gain can be set as required for either lowest possible noise or maximum
dynamic range. Depending on which combination of Acquisition, Readout & Triggering modes are selected, other
additional Timings options become available. The following table lists the parameters for which you may enter a value
in the appropriate text box. As you select an Acquisition Mode you will notice that you are able to enter additional
exposure-related and timing parameters in a column of text boxes.

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OPERATION
Certain text boxes become active as you select each Acquisition Mode. Minimum default values are also shown in the
text boxes. NOTE: The value you enter in one text box may affect the minimum permissible value in another text
box. The system updates the display of minimum permissible values accordingly.
Table 4: Acquisition Modes
Acquisition Mode
(ReAdout
Mode)
exposuRe tiMe
(secs)
no.
of
AccuMulAtions
AccuMulAte
cycle
tiMe
(secs)
(inteRnAl
tRiggeRing)
Kinetic
seRies
length
oveRlAp*
cosMic
RAy
ReMovAl
Kinetic
cycle
tiMe
(secs)
Single Image) 3
Single (FVB) 3
Accumulate (Image) 3 3 3 3 3
Accumulate (FVB) 3 3 3 3
Kinetic (Image) 3 3 3 3 3
Kinetic (FVB) 3 3
*NOTE: Overlap function allows data to be read out whilst exposure is underway.
4.5.2 extended iR mode
The Sony sensor used in the Clara offers the unique ability to switch to a mode whereby the QE of the sensor can be
increased in the Near Infrared (NIR). Sony have increased the thickness of the silicon on which the CCD is formed and by
manipulating the voltages applied to the silicon substrate, the depth of the region where red and NIR light can convert to
photoelectrons is increased.
This in turn increases the response of the sensor to these wavelengths with a QE increase from 40% to 60% at 650 nm.
For this mode to become fully active requires the rst 1mS of the exposure, so it is not recommended for exposures of
less than 10 mS. In this mode the amplier is also powered down during the acquisition, thus eliminating the effect of
amplier glow. This mode is available in Solis by Selecting “Extended IR Mode”.
NOTE: In this mode it is not possible to read out the previous image during the exposure (overlap mode) as the
amplier is powered down.
4.5.3 fan settings
The speed of the cooling fan can also be controlled, useful if working in experimental congurations which are extremely
sensitive to vibration. The vast majority of applications, including optical microscopy, can be used with the default
highest fan speed, since the vibrations from the fan are minimal. However some applications can be extremely sensitive
to even the smallest of vibrations (such as when combining an optical set-up with patch clamp electrophysiology or
atomic force microscopy) and it can be useful to either select a slower fan speed, or to temporarily turn off the fan
altogether for the duration of the acquisition.
If the fan is being turned off altogether, depending on the cooling temperature selected and on the ambient temperature,
the acquisition duration can be as long as 15 - 20 minutes before temperature begins to rise. Then the fan must be
turned on again to give the head time to re-stabilize (dissipate built-up excess heat from the Peltier TE cooler) before the
next acquisition is begins.

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OPERATION
4.5.4 output daCs
Voltages to control external devices from the Clara can be chosen by selecting the Output DACs function from the
Hardware drop-down menu.
• These DAC outputs allow the user to set an analogue voltage up for external devices.
• The resolution can be set to 8,10,12,14 or 16 bits. Both DAC outputs can then be scaled to a maximum of
approximately 5V or 10V.
• These do not provide absolute outputs and there will be slight variations between the two outputs.
• Each voltage output can then be adjusted with up to 16 bit resolution. The maximum current which can be
drawn from these outputs is 10mA
4.6 timing paRameteRs
Depending on which combination of Acquisition, Readout & Triggering modes is selected, various timing parameters are
available for the Clara as follows:
• Exposure Time (secs)
• No. of Accumulations
• Accumulation Cycle Time (secs)
• Cosmic Ray Removal
• Kinetic Series Length
• Kinetic Cycle Time (secs)
4.6.1 using sHutteRs
When the Shutter Control option is selected from the Hardware drop-down-menu, or the button is clicked, the
Shutter Control dialog box opens e.g.:
You can use this to indicate when and how a hardware shutter should be used. With a CCD, the shutter is used for
background shuttering. Certain settings (e.g. Permanently OPEN & Permanently CLOSED) take effect as soon as you
close the Shutter Control dialog box. Other settings will be applied whenever you acquire data.
• Fully Auto is the simplest shutter mode, as it leaves all shuttering decisions to the system. When you perform
Take Signal the shutter opens for the duration of the Exposure Time you have entered in the Setup Acquisition
dialog box.
NOTE: This option will automatically provide suitable shuttering for the majority of data acquisitions. The shutter
will be closed for background data acquisitions and will be opened for all other data acquisitions.
• If CLOSED for background mode is selected, any shutter driven from the Shutter output will be closed as you
perform Take Background. If you want the shutter to be open so that the Take Background function records
genuine optical background data, deselect the option.
NOTE: Usually a background scan is used to subtract the dark signal and the Fixed Pattern Noise (FPN) of the
sensor. For this reason the background scan is usually performed in darkness. A shutter may be used to stop
light entering the spectrograph or other imaging system. Strictly speaking though, the background acquisition
may be regarded as comprising all light with the single exception of the source. Thus, when you are working with
a pulsed or independently shuttered source, it may be appropriate to have the mode deselected.