A new model in the Sona microscopy cameras range – The World’s Most Sensitive Back-illuminated sCMOS Cameras
A new model in the Sona microscopy cameras range – The World’s Most Sensitive Back-illuminated sCMOS Cameras
Belfast, Northern Ireland, 10th December 2019 – Andor Technology (Andor), an Oxford Instruments company and world leader in scientific imaging and spectroscopy solutions, today announced the launch of Sona 4.2B-6, a new model in the ultrasensitive back-illuminated Sona microscopy camera series.
The Sona 4.2B-6 provides a superbly balanced combination of sensitivity, speed and resolution, making it perfectly suited to the needs of the most challenging microscopy applications. The new camera features a 4.2 Megapixel sensor format with a 6.5 µm pixel size. This format is suited to obtaining maximum resolution from the commonly used 60x and 40x objective lens magnifications.
This complements the existing Sona 4.2B-11 model, with a larger, 32 mm field of view and remains the camera of choice for imaging the largest possible sample area.
The Sona series represents the ultimate in sCMOS sensitivity, meaning signal to noise can be optimized under reduced illumination conditions, thus preserving accurate biology of living cells during extended measurement periods.
The Sona 4.2B-6 shares many of the key features that have made the existing Sona models so effective, namely the high sensitivity sensors with 95% quantum efficiency and exclusive permanent vacuum sealed sensor chambers with market leading cooling down to -45 °C.
Sona 4.2B-6 also features a Low Noise mode that uses correlated multi-sampling to reduce noise while maintaining frame rates and the low exposure times that are vital for studying live cells. Dynamic cellular processes can be captured by the high-speed imaging capabilities – up to an impressive 74 fps for full-range 16-bit images. In addition, class leading linearity and dynamic range means that Sona provides the best available quantitative accuracy. Important for the growing number of applications that use measurements over time or change in fluorescence intensity levels to make determinations on rates, concentrations or spatial position such as FRET, ion signalling, gene expression analysis or localization based super-resolution.
Dr. Alan Mullan, Andor’s Product Specialist for Microscopy Cameras, said;
“The new Sona 4.2B-6 camera provides a great combination of sensitivity, speed and resolution. This makes it a very effective and versatile imaging solution for a wide range of life science applications.
“The sensor format is well matched to modern microscopes and offers an easy way to upgrade the earlier generations of sCMOS cameras to the latest detector technology. The superior sensitivity of Sona means that illumination intensity and fluorophore concentrations can be reduced, and exposures decreased, for less impact on cell physiology. Therefore, more accurate measurements of cell processes can be made.”
Dr. Richard Simms, Senior Physicist and Technical Lead on the Sona 4.2B-6 project, said;
“The development team are proud to see this new addition to our sCMOS portfolio. This camera represents a culmination of our efforts in integrating a new sensor into our Sona platform. Our cross-functional team always look forward to seeing any advances in science afforded by the use of our cutting edge cameras. No doubt we will see this new camera further advance our customers capabilities and advance scientific research in many fields.”
For more information, please visit www.andor.com/sona.
Image Caption:
Zebrafish imaged using Sona 4.2B-6, Dragonfly and Leica DMi8 (25x). Sample prepared by Marco Campinho, CCMAR (Centro de Ciencias do Mar / Centre for Marine Sciences) - Universidade do Algarve. Image by Andor Technology.
Enquiries:
For further information please contact Richie Finlay on +44 (0)28 9023 7126, email press@andor.com, or visit http://www.andor.com.
Issued for and on behalf of Andor Technology Ltd.
Notes to Editors
About Andor
Andor is a global leader in the pioneering and manufacturing of high performance scientific imaging cameras, spectroscopy solutions and microscopy systems for research and OEM markets. Andor has been innovating the photonics industry for over 20 years and continues to set the standard for high performance light measuring solutions, enabling its customers to break new ground by performing light measurements previously considered impossible. Andor’s digital cameras, are allowing scientists around the world to measure light down to a single photon and capture events occurring within 1 billionth of a second.
Andor now has over 400 staff across 16 offices worldwide, distributing products to over 10,000 customers in 55 countries. Andor’s products are used in a wide range of applications including medical research to further the understanding of heart disease, cancer and neuronal diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Andor also has applications for forensic science and astronomy. Through continuous dialogue with customers and strong teamwork, Andor continues to innovate ground-breaking products that improve the world in which we live.
About Oxford Instruments plc
Oxford Instruments designs, supplies and supports high-technology tools and systems with a focus on research and industrial applications. Innovation has been the driving force behind Oxford Instruments’ growth and success for over 50 years, and its strategy is to effect the successful commercialisation of these ideas by bringing them to market in a timely and customer-focused fashion.
The first technology business to be spun out from Oxford University, Oxford Instruments is now a global company with over 2000 staff worldwide. Its objective is to be the leading provider of new generation tools and systems for the research and industrial sectors with a focus on nanotechnology. Its key market sectors include nano-fabrication and nano-materials. The company’s strategy is to expand the business into the life sciences arena, where nanotechnology and biotechnology intersect.
This involves the combination of core technologies in areas such as low temperature, high magnetic field and ultra high vacuum environments; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; x-ray, electron, laser and optical based metrology; atomic force microscopy; optical imaging; advanced growth, deposition and etching.
Oxford Instruments aims to pursue responsible development and deeper understanding of our world through science and technology. Its products, expertise, and ideas address global issues such as energy, environment, security and health.
