AMBER

AMBER is a high-performance pixel detector for electrons based on Medipix3 technology. As an electron-counting detector, it is effectively noise free and provides a pixel size of just 55 µm. Depending on the operating mode, it supports frame rates of up to 2000 fps at 12-bit dynamic range or 1000 fps at 24-bit dynamic range, making it well suited for high-speed diffraction, imaging, and 4D-STEM applications. 6-bit and 1-bit modes for even higher speeds up to 24 000 fps are possible, as well as a speed-up in 12-bit mode with region-of-interest (ROI) operation.

The bottom mount AMBER line with its fixed sensor comes in areas of up to 1.5 megapixels.

Sharing the core technology platform with LAMBDA, AMBER is designed for reliable operation in demanding experimental environments. It provides external triggering and gating capabilities for synchronisation with experimental equipment and can be integrated easily into common control systems.

AMBER detectors are available in four material configurations: Silicon (300 μm and 500 μm thickness) for lower electron energies, Gallium Arsenide (500 μm) and Cadmium Telluride (1000 μm) for highter energies.

Combined with the user-configurable energy threshold, the detector enables energy-resolved imaging and can distinguish between different electron energy ranges, for example for material discrimination and advanced imaging applications.

* with optional high-energy calibration

In ROI (Region of Interest) mode, only a selected subset of detector lines is read out instead of the full sensor. Reducing the number of lines lowers the data volume and enables proportionally higher frame rates. ROI mode is therefore well suited for time-resolved experiments where only part of the detector area is required.

For LAMBDA and AMBER, the full-frame rate is 24 000 fps at 1-bit dynamic range, 4000 fps at 6 bit, and 2000 fps at 12 bit. Reducing the ROI to one quarter of the detector height increases the frame rate by a factor of four. A typical ROI application with 64 lines would lead to a 12-bit frame rate of 16 000 fps. The smallest ROI consists of only 2 lines, increasing the 6-bit frame rate to an impressive 1M fps (1024 kHz, to be precise). ROI is available in 1-, 6-, and 12-bit modes.

All detector systems are delivered with a fully configured control computer running Debian Linux and preinstalled detector control software. Different hardware and software options are available depending on your requirements.

The control software provides a range of integration and operation options. X-Spectrum provides a C++ control library that can be integrated into common beamline control systems. Open-source TANGO and EPICS drivers, for example, have been developed by users. Python bindings are available for convenient scripted detector operation. In addition, an open-source GUI written in Python is provided for manual control and for gaining practical insight into how to use the library.

AMBER Flex is a high-performance pixel detector for electrons based on Medipix3 technology. As an electron-counting detector, it is effectively noise free and provides a pixel size of just 55 µm. Depending on the operating mode, it supports frame rates of up to 2000 fps at 12-bit dynamic range or 1000 fps at 24-bit dynamic range, making it well suited for high-speed diffraction, imaging, and 4D-STEM applications. 6-bit and 1-bit modes for even higher speeds up to 24 000 fps are possible, as well as a speed-up in 12-bit mode with region-of-interest (ROI) operation.

The flexible sensor AMBER Flex line comes with one to four 60k or one 250k pixel sensor head.

Sharing the core technology platform with LAMBDA, AMBER Flex is designed for reliable operation in demanding experimental environments. It provides external triggering and gating capabilities for synchronisation with experimental equipment and can be integrated easily into common control systems.

AMBER Flex combines the full capabilities of the AMBER detector platform with maximum flexibility in sensor placement. Up to four compact detector heads can be connected to the readout electronics via flexible cables up to one metre in length, making the system ideal for space-constrained electron microscopy setups.

Based on Medipix3 technology, AMBER Flex provides noise-free electron counting, 55 µm pixel size, and frame rates of up to 24 000 fps without readout deadtime. In 12-bit mode, the detector delivers 2000 fps speed, in 24-bit mode the rate is 1000 fps.

AMBER detectors are available in four material configurations: Silicon (300 μm and 500 μm thickness) for lower electron energies, Gallium Arsenide (500 μm) and Cadmium Telluride (1000 μm) for highter energies.

Combined with the user-configurable energy threshold, the detector enables energy-resolved imaging and can distinguish between different electron energy ranges, for example for material discrimination and advanced imaging applications.

* with optional high-energy calibration

In ROI (Region of Interest) mode, only a selected subset of detector lines is read out instead of the full sensor. Reducing the number of lines lowers the data volume and enables proportionally higher frame rates. ROI mode is therefore well suited for time-resolved experiments where only part of the detector area is required.

For LAMBDA and AMBER, the full-frame rate is 24 000 fps at 1-bit dynamic range, 4000 fps at 6 bit, and 2000 fps at 12 bit. Reducing the ROI to one quarter of the detector height increases the frame rate by a factor of four. A typical ROI application with 64 lines would lead to a 12-bit frame rate of 16 000 fps. The smallest ROI consists of only 2 lines, increasing the 6-bit frame rate to an impressive 1M fps (1024 kHz, to be precise). ROI is available in 1-, 6-, and 12-bit modes.

All detector systems are delivered with a fully configured control computer running Debian Linux and preinstalled detector control software. Different hardware and software options are available depending on your requirements.

The control software provides a range of integration and operation options. X-Spectrum provides a C++ control library that can be integrated into common beamline control systems. Open-source TANGO and EPICS drivers, for example, have been developed by users. Python bindings are available for convenient scripted detector operation. In addition, an open-source GUI written in Python is provided for manual control and for gaining practical insight into how to use the library.