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