Andor Solis (Solutions for Imaging and Spectroscopy) is Andor's camera control and analysis software platform, with versions specifically designed to run imaging, spectroscopy, time resolved cameras and associated accessories. It is easy to install and provides "state of the art" acquisition, display and processing capabilities.
This comprehensive software package has an extensive built-in programming language, AndorBasic, which has been specially designed to simplify even the most complex operations. For example, two images can be added and stored in a new data store by simply typing #3 = #1 + #2. Easy!As AndorBasic can be used to program image acquisitions, automate file storage, communicate with external devices and manipulate data, you can build macros to automate your experiment.
The Andor Solis (i) software platform is designed for image capture and analysis and is used in a wide range of scientific fields including fluorescence imaging, Bose-Einstein Condensation, single fluorophore labelling, upper atmosphere studies, X-ray studies and Raman imaging.
The Solis (i) software contains a comprehensive list of edge-detection algorithms including first derivative (Sobel, Kirsch, Prewitt and Robinson), second derivative and the Roberts Cross edge detector. Smoothing filters include the Mean, Median and Gaussian filters while in the frequency space Solis includes Low Pass and High Pass filtering.Solis (i) provides the user with full control over the camera including pixel readout rate, horizontal and vertical binning, exposure time, pre-amplifier setting, electron multiplying gain (EMCCD compatible systems) and various triggering options.
The software's region of interest (ROI) feature allows the user to chart in real time such quantities as maximum, mean and standard deviation as a kinetic series of images is acquired.
ROI display
The Andor Solis (t) software platform is the option for time resolved work and has additional features to enable control of the iStar camera range. Applications include Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF), combustion and Time-resolved Resonance Raman Spectroscopy.
The setup acquisition dialog box is specially tailored and is the fundamental tool for setting up your Andor Intensified CCD camera. With this dialog box, you can configure your ICCD for any application. The Acquisition mode allows you to select the method of recording the data that is to be taken. Data can be recorded in real time, as a single scan, as a kinetic series, etc. The Trigger allows you to determine what controls the timing of the experiment either internally, or externally with a laser, for example.
Acquisition Setup dialog box
The Setup CCD tab allows you to set the exposure time and temperature of the CCD sensor. You can also select the way that data is read out from the CCD, whether it is by using full vertical binning, 2 x 2 binning or full resolution image readout, etc. The Setup Gater tab, is a very important part of the
operation of an ICCD. This tab is used to control the operation of the onboard Digital Delay Generator (DDG™). It allows the setup of the Gate pulse delay and Gate pulse width in steps of 25ps. The Output A delay is used to control the trigger of an external component such as a laser. The MCP Gain setting is an 8 bit D/A providing 256 different levels of gain within the image intensifier. When in Kinetic series mode, the Gate step function allows multiple acquisitions with differing delays enabling phenomena such as fluorescence decay to be easily quantified.
Run Time Control dialog box
The run time control dialog box provides ease of control of your experiment. Certain parameters can be varied without having to stop the acquisition and open the setup acquisition box shown here. Variables can easily be changed in real time mode enabling instant visualization. This dialog box can also be controlled by use of the unique, wireless remote control. With this you can fine-tune your experiment from any location around your optics table. With a push of a button the parameters in the dialog box can be instantly varied, without having to touch your keyboard.
For spectroscopy applications, the Andor Solis (s) is the appropriate software platform. It has been specifically tailored to enable the user to quickly configure their acquisition, capture the data and display and process results in a user-friendly manner. The user can also control Andor's range of Spectrographs in a direct and responsive manner.
Solis (s) Mechelle module adds the extra features required to control the Mechelle spectrograph and perform the highly complex spectral extraction from a raw echelle image. The software has been specifically design to enhance the users experience with key features including automatic spectral calibration, efficiency correction and optimal ROI selection. Andor's patented dispersion balanced order sorting system has been fully modelled allowing the complete spectral range to be calibrated with minimal effort.
Mechelle software interface
The software's automatic peak detection algorithm detects the calibration lines and constructs an internal map of the Echelle orders allowing subsequent full multi-order extraction and calibration with no user intervention. The quality of the fit is reported to the user in a simple but highly intelligent graphical manner.The optimal ROI selection automatically minimizes the region of the CCD that must be read to extract the spectral range selected by the user.This reduces the readout time allowing faster timed series, minimizes the memory requirements and reduces the spectral extraction calculations.
Mechelle calibration dialogue box
Andor's unique ability to measure the temperature of the optical components of the Mechelle allows the software to dynamically adjusts the spectral calibration to ensure the results remain accurate. This unique solution from Andor is more flexible and responsive than anything that is on the market.
Another key feature of the Mechelle module is the multi-order efficiency correction algorithm ensuring that the relative spectral intensities in the resultant spectrum are true. The intelligent algorithm uses multiple continuum sources to built up a complete spectral efficiency correction curve for the spectrograph.
Efficiency correction: before and after
When connected to the Andor Shamrock spectrograph watch the screen come alive with the unique dashboard interface giving the user previously unknown sense of control. All the functionality of the spectrograph including wavelength control and calibration, grating selection, shutter control, slit control and filter selection is simply a mouse click away with real-time feedback as standard. The “Autosense” feature will automatically sense what hardware is present on your specific Shamrock and customise the user interface accordingly. The “step-and-glue” feature enables the user to simply specify the wavelength range you wish to capture and the software will automatically drive the spectrograph to the correct wavelength, capture a spectrum and drive to the next wavelength repeating the process until the full wavelength range has been captured. It then stitches the individual spectra together to give a single spectrum.
Shamrock software interface
The Colorimetry and radiometry module fully implements the CIE and DIN standards, without compromise. This module calibrates the system to measure radiance and irradiance directly, in real time, from CW or pulsed sources. Standard lamp data can be loaded and saved for future use, which helps reduce time-consuming re-calibrations. Colorimetry calculations can be performed with just a few keystrokes using the add-on module. The software lets you choose a standard illuminant or a custom illuminant whose data you have previously saved to file.Calculations include:
Radiometry and Colorimetry software add-on
The Andor Software Development Kit (SDK) enables users to control the complete range of Andor cameras. The key part of the SDK is its 32-bit dynamic link library "ATMCD32D.DLL" which can be used with a wide variety of programmingenvironments including C, C++, C#, Visual Basic and LabVIEW.
The library is compatible with Windows 2000 and XP. The SDK provides a suite of functions that allow you to configure the data acquisition process in a number of different ways. There are also functions to control the CCD temperature and shutter operations. To use the SDK effectively the user must develop a software package to configure the acquisition, provide memory management, process the data and create a software interface. Andor also provides an SDK for the Linux operating system.
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