➡️ 85% QE, 0.9 to 1.7 μm
➡️ 23 e- read noise
➡️ 600 fps
➡️ -40°C cooled
➡️ Applications: Astronomy, semiconductor, hyperspectral
SWIR Cameras for Physical Science & Astronomy
High-sensitivity SWIR cameras optimized for demanding applications in physical sciences and astronomy, offering low noise, deep cooling, and broad spectral response.
Description
SWIR Cameras for Physical Science & Astronomy
High-performance SWIR cameras delivering superior sensitivity, spectral range, and low noise for demanding physical science and astronomical imaging applications.
Andor’s SWIR camera series, now including First Light Imaging C-RED SWIR cameras, provide superb sensitivity and speed performance across the Short-Wave Infra-Red wavelength domain. Technologies include market-leading InGaAs and the unique single photon sensitive ‘e-APD MCT’ imaging innovation.
Andor offers a comprehensive range of imaging and spectroscopic SWIR cameras, spanning a wide envelope of performance attributes. From state-of-the-art single photon sensitive, 90K cooled, ultra-high performance detectors to compact price/performance SWIR cameras for fast industrial imaging applications, we can guide you towards a solution that answers your needs
C-RED One
Single photon sensitive e-APD MCT, extreme speed, 2.5 μm
The discovery of electron initiated avalanche photodiodes (e-APD) using mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) materials marked a breakthrough in SWIR imaging. The C-RED One features a unique 320 x 256 pixel HgCdTe e-APD array with 24 μm pixel pitch and a broad spectral response across J, H, and K bands, delivering unprecedented sub-electron readout noise thanks to noise-free multiplication gain and non-destructive readout.
C-RED One captures up to 3500 full frames per second and supports multiple regions of interest (ROI) readout for even faster speeds while maintaining sub-electron noise. It offers versatile readout modes (Global reset, Rolling reset, Single read/CDS) and operates autonomously in a sealed vacuum at cryogenic temperature (90 K) with integrated cooling and vibration control. This camera enables new possibilities in high sensitivity and high-speed SWIR imaging.
➡️ < 1 e read noise
➡️ 80% QE, 0.8 to 2.5 μm
➡️ 90K (-183°C) cooled
➡️ 3500 fps
➡️ Ultimate SWIR detector for Adaptive Optics and laser comms
C-RED 2
Cooled InGaAs, low dark, 600 fps, 1.7 μm, 15 μm pixel pitch
C-RED 2 is a revolutionary ultra high speed, low noise Short-Wave Infrared camera designed for demanding applications. It features a 640 x 512 InGaAs photodiode detector with 15 μm pixel pitch and an electronic shutter capable of integration pulses shorter than 5 μs. With state-of-the-art electronics and mechanics, C-RED 2 runs at 600 fps in full frame mode, delivering low readout noise and low dark current for detecting very weak signals.
The camera offers great versatility, supporting both long exposure times (up to 60 seconds) and short integration times at full resolution. It includes features like windowing, multiple non-destructive readouts, and a high dynamic range mode (93dB, 16-bit) with excellent linearity. With air and water cooling enabling temperature stabilization down to -40°C, plus easy integration through a C-Mount and multiple mounting points, C-RED 2 is ideal for high-end low light SWIR applications in science, research, and industry.
C-RED 2 ER
Cooled InGaAs, 600 fps, 1.9/2.2 μm, extended range, 15 μm pixel pitch
C-RED 2 ER is a highly sensitive Extended Range InGaAs camera series designed for SWIR imaging up to 1.9 µm or 2.5 µm, unlocking new possibilities in bioimaging, laboratory research, laser measurements, and industrial applications. Featuring VGA (640 x 512 pixels) detectors with 15 μm pixel pitch and >80% peak quantum efficiency, the cameras can run at 600 fps full frame and up to 32,066 fps in cropped mode, with low read noise (< 40 e-) and thermoelectric cooling down to -40 or -55°C for minimized dark current.
The series offers two detector options: C-RED 2 ER 1.9 μm sensitive from 1.1 to 1.9 μm, and C-RED 2 ER 2.2 μm sensitive from 1.2 to 2.2 μm. This extended range InGaAs technology represents a breakthrough, enabling far SWIR spectrum imaging with a double thermoelectric cooling system, avoiding the need for complex cryogenic cooling required by HgCdTe sensors.
➡️ 85% QE, 0.9 to 1.9/2.2 μm
➡️ 32 e- read noise
➡️ 600 fps
➡️ Down to -55°C cooled
➡️ Applications: Extended range SWIR, food inspection, hyperspectral
C-RED 2 Lite
SWIR inspection and FSO with market leading speed, temp stabilized, 1.7 μm
C-RED 2 Lite is the temperature-stabilized version of C-RED 2, featuring a 640 x 512 TEC InGaAs detector with 15 μm pixel pitch and an electronic shutter with integration pulses under 5 μs. It runs at 600 fps with <30 electrons readout noise and offers CameraLink® or USB 3 interfaces for fast data transmission.
Designed for high flux, high speed SWIR applications like laser beam profiling, hyperspectral imaging, and thermography, C-RED 2 Lite uses an efficient thermoelectric cooler with advanced thermal management, including passive heat sinks, external fans, and hydraulic cooling options to ensure precise sensor stabilization even under varying environmental conditions.
➡️ 80% QE, 0.9 to 1.7 μm
➡️ 28 e- read noise
➡️ 600 fps
➡️ Compact, Temp Stabilized
➡️ Applications: Thermography, Beam profiling, Hyperspectral, Free Space Optics
C-RED 3
SWIR inspection and FSO with market leading speed, uncooled, 1.7 μm
C-RED 3 is a compact, high-speed VGA uncooled camera designed for short exposure, high-speed SWIR imaging. It features a 640 x 512 InGaAs detector with 15 μm pixel pitch and an electronic shutter with integration pulses under 5 μs. By removing the thermoelectric cooler, C-RED 3 minimizes size, weight, and power consumption.
Equipped with Adaptive BIAS technology, the camera performs reliably in variable temperature environments. Its ultra-compact, autonomous design makes C-RED 3 ideal for a wide range of applications and budgets, and it is also available for OEM integration.
➡️ 78% QE, 0.9 to 1.7 μm
➡️ 37 e- read noise
➡️ 600 fps
➡️ Compact, Uncooled (TECless)
➡️ Adaptive Bias
➡️ Applications: Beam profiling, Hyperspectral, Quality Control, Surveillance, Welding, Free Space Optics, UAVs
C-RED New Space
New Space Applications SWIRCamera Core, 600 fps, 1.7 μm
C-RED New Space is a SWIR camera core designed specifically for satellite optical payloads. It features a VGA InGaAs sensor with 640 x 512 resolution and 15 μm pixel pitch, sensitive in the 0.9 to 1.7 μm range with quantum efficiency over 70% between 1000 and 1650 nm. This off-the-shelf module enables seamless integration with extensive customization options in hardware, electronics, and firmware to meet the demanding conditions of space.
The camera delivers a full frame rate of 600 fps and up to 32,066 fps in windowing mode, optimizing temporal resolution for applications involving rapid movements or changes. Its high-speed performance and adaptability make C-RED New Space ideal for advanced space imaging needs.
➡️ 80% QE, 0.9 to 1.9/2.2 μm
➡️ < 30 e- read noise
➡️ 600 fps
➡️ Designed for space optical payloads
➡️ Board level for easy integration
➡️ Applications: Free Space Optics, Space exploration, Cubestats, Earth Observations
iDus InGaAs 1.7 μm
Spectroscopy SWIR detector, -90C cooled, 1.7 μm
Andor’s iDus InGaAs 1.7 array detector series offers an optimized platform for spectroscopy applications up to 1.7 µm. These detectors feature TE-cooled, in-vacuum sensors capable of reaching cooling temperatures as low as -90°C, which allows for achieving the best Signal-to-Noise ratio (SNR) by minimizing dark current.
While cooling below -90°C can moderately reduce dark current further, the benefits are limited as scene black body radiation becomes the dominant noise source. Additionally, at these lower temperatures, the Quantum Efficiency of the sensor decreases significantly, which negatively impacts the overall Signal-to-Noise ratio, making -90°C the optimal cooling point for performance.
➡️ >80% QE, 0.9 to 1.7 μm
➡️ 1024 or 512 resolution
➡️ 170 Me- pixel well depth
➡️ -90°C vacuum cooled
➡️ 193 spectra/sec
➡️ Applications: Low-dimensional materials, semiconductors, photovoltaics, cancer detection
iDus InGaAs 2.2 μm
Spectroscopy SWIR detector, -90C cooled, 2.2 μm
Andor’s iDus InGaAs 2.2 array detector series offers an optimized platform for spectroscopy applications extending up to 2.2 µm. These detectors feature TE-cooled, in-vacuum sensors that achieve cooling temperatures down to -90°C, enabling exceptional performance by reducing thermal noise.
At this cooling level, the detectors reach their best Signal-to-Noise ratio (SNR), providing high sensitivity and accuracy for demanding spectroscopy measurements. This makes the iDus 2.2 series ideal for applications requiring precise detection in the extended SWIR range.
➡️ >80% QE, 0.9 to 2.2 μm
➡️ 1024 or 512 resolution
➡️ 170 Me- pixel well depth
➡️ -90°C vacuum cooled
➡️ 193 spectra/sec
➡️ Applications: Low-dimensional materials, semiconductors, photovoltaics, cancer detection
