Andor Technology

Andor Technology Ltd is a developer and manufacturer of high performance light measuring solutions (scientific digital cameras). It became a subsidiary of Oxford Instruments after it was purchased for £176 million in December 2013.[1] The company is based in Belfast, Northern Ireland and now employs over 400 staff across the group at its offices in Belfast, Japan, China, Switzerland and the US.

Andor Technology Ltd
TypeSubsidiary
Founded1989
HeadquartersBelfast, Northern Ireland industry = Scientific Imaging Equipment
Products
ParentOxford Instruments
Websiteandor.oxinst.com

Andor Technology designs, manufactures and sells scientific imaging equipment including charge-coupled device (CCD), electron-multiplying CCD (EMCCD), scientific CMOS (sCMOS - an improved Active pixel sensor) and Intensified charge-coupled device camera systems, spectroscopy instrumentation, and microscopy systems.

Background

Andor Technology was set up by its founders, Dr. Hugh Cormican, Dr. Donal Denvir and Mr. Mike Pringle in the mid-1980s. While studying at Queen's University Belfast, they "used their physics know-how to build a highly sensitive digital camera...as a tool for their laser research."[2] They subsequently set up Andor Technology to develop it into a commercial product for use in scientific research.

Andor Technology Ltd was established in 1989, as a spin out from Queen's University, Belfast. In December 2004 the company became a PLC when it listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange.[3]

Products

Andor introduced its first EMCCD camera, the DV 465 in 2001 and the company was awarded The Photonics Circle of Excellence Awards from Laurin Publishing, which recognizes the 25 Most Technically Innovative New Products of the Year.[4]

EMCCD cameras are based on CCD chips that incorporate electron multiplication, or EMCCD technology. It is used in fields such as drug discovery, where scientists need to watch vats of chemicals in real-time, astrophysics and oceanography.[5]

In April 2020, Andor introduced the Marana 4.2B-6 back-illuminated scientific camera that provides up to -45°C for 95% quantum performance and vacuum cooling. For dynamic imaging or spectroscopic applications, it offers up to 74 fps, such as wavefront sensing, lucky / speckle imaging, quantum gas dynamics, or hyperspectral imaging.[6]

References
  1. "Oxford Instruments agrees to £176m Andor Technology deal". City A.M. December 11, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  2. Stephen Battersby (March 10, 2007). "A smashing career choice". New Scientist. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  3. "Stock market float for NI firm". BBC News. December 3, 2004. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
  4. "Laurin Publishing 2001 Photonics Awards". Photonics Spectra. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  5. "Electron Multiplying CCD Cameras". Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  6. "Andor Technology scientific camera provides up to 74 fps for dynamic imaging". Laser Focus World. 14 April 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
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