With its compact camera design and configurable vacuum-flange interfaces, ALEX detectors are practical for both laboratory-based instruments and larger experimental environments like synchrotron, XFEL and HHG beamlines as well as EUV lithography setups. Standard data interfaces, triggering options and software/SDK support help simplify integration into existing measurement systems. Our ALEX cameras combine high quantum efficiency, ultra-low-noise electronics and ultra-deep cooling to facilitate demanding imaging and spectroscopic applications where weak signals in the VUV, EUV or X-ray range need to be reliably detected.

ALEX can be used for imaging and spectroscopy applications that rely on detection of photons across the range of 5 eV – 20 keV, depending on sensor type and configuration. High sensitivity measurements of VUV, EUV, soft and hard X-ray signals are particularly well supported, with sensitive measurements in the NIR, VIS and UV regimes also possible. Techniques that require capturing low-intensity signals where signal-to-noise is critical, as well as measurements where high dynamic range is important for resolving both weak and more intense features are where ALEX cameras excel. Direct CCD detection combined with selectable gain, flexible binning, triggering and synchronization modes makes ALEX cameras adaptable to a range of methods, including high-energy photon research, EUV lithography and X-ray-based imaging and spectroscopy.

The ALEXi series is designed for imaging applications, while the ALEXs series is designed for spectroscopy. ALEXi is the right choice when you need to capture a two-dimensional image, for example in X-ray or EUV microscopy, tomography, ptychography or diffraction imaging. The ALEXi range can also be used for spectroscopy, where the large sensor area is ideal for dispersed signals where full vertical binning can be used. ALEXs is suited instead to spectroscopic setups where a signal is dispersed across the detector and needs to be recorded with high sensitivity and dynamic range.

We aim to provide a detector that is highly customizable according to our customers’ needs. On the hardware side we offer a range of sensor formats, spectral sensitivities and flange options, while software-selectable gain, flexible readout settings, binning, triggering and synchronization modes allow the detector behavior to be adapted to the measurement(s) at hand. For challenging or non-standard setups, we will help you to assess requirements such as vacuum interface, detector geometry, cooling capabilities and system integration approaches to identify the most suitable ALEX configuration for your needs.

Ease-of-integration is one of our primary focuses. ALEX cameras are designed to support both physical and software integration into existing setups. Compact camera design, vacuum-interface options and selectable flange configurations give our users flexible integration options covering many different experimental geometries. On the control side, data transfer is supported via Gigabit Ethernet and USB 3.0, while transistor-transistor logic (TTL) interface signal options are available to help users synchronize the camera with other components in an experimental/instrument-control setup. Camera operation can be handled through the greateyes software vision package or through a range of SDKs and drivers for commonly used environments.

Yes! In practice, the camera can be mounted to a vacuum chamber or beamline port via a vacuum flange, which provides the mechanical connection and necessary seal between the detector assembly and the vacuum chamber. ALEX can be supplied with knife-edge sealed ConFlat (CF) flange configurations, where a precisely machined sealing ridge on the flange presses into a soft metal gasket to form a robust, leak-tight metal seal when the connection is tightened. This type of connection is well suited for high or ultra-high vacuum applications. ISO-F flanges are also available, supporting integration into vacuum systems that already follow an ISO-F vacuum standard. For a beamline or laboratory vacuum setup, this means that an ALEX camera needs to be selected with a suitable vacuum interface so that it can be mechanically mounted, sealed and positioned correctly relative to the experiment. We will be happy to discuss parameters like chamber port size, flange standard, available space and required vacuum level when assisting you with choosing an ALEX model.

ALEX cameras support selectable pixel readout speeds from 50 kHz up to 3 MHz, with a 5 MHz visualization mode available for fast live viewing. Image rates depend on the selected camera model, sensor format and readout settings, but in general ALEX combines fast CCD readout speeds with low-noise electronics, as low as 2.8 e⁻ for ALEXi and 3.5 e⁻ for ALEXs depending on sensor configuration and readout setting. We will be happy to assist you with balancing acquisition speed with sensitivity, field of view and dynamic range to achieve strong performance suited to your measurement conditions.

This will depend on sensor type, pixel readout frequency and operating temperature. Typical read-noise values are as low asm 2.8 e⁻ for ALEXi and 3.5 e⁻ for ALEXs. Our ultra-deep cooling technology, down to -100°C, helps minimize dark current, with typical values in the 10⁻5 to 10⁻³ e⁻/pixel/s range for most ALEX configurations under ultra-low temperature operation. Choosing the right ALEX system for your noise requirements is important, and we will be happy to help identify the best configuration for your measurement conditions.