Saturn 944+ CCD X-ray detector
Engineered to be the next generation of two dimensional (2D) CCD camera for protein crystallography, the Rigaku Saturn 944+ brings a new dimension to data collection with 18-bit analog-to-digital conversion and 8 Mhz, 4-port high speed readout. The Saturn 944 combines a large format CCD, with a demagnification taper ratio of 1.88:1, to provide a detector specifically optimized for the high sensitivity and spatial resolution needs of the macromolecular crystallographer. Incorporating 135 mm diameter fiberoptic taper bonded to a front-illuminated Kodak™ KAF-4320E CCD, the Saturn 944+ offers high sensitivity while providing a true dynamic range of 15,100:1. With its very high sensitivity, the Saturn 944 is particularly powerful for the collection of weaker reflections, and therefore higher resolution data. Also, with fine pixel resolution, very short crystal-to-detector distances are possible, thereby achieving very high data-set completeness.
Extended dynamic range
The full-frame CCD employed by the Saturn 944+ uses a proprietary 2-phase architecture and has high capacity pixels for extended dynamic range. To increase the sensitivity of the chip, one of the two polysilicon gates has been replaced with the transparent conductor indium-tin-oxide (ITO). Thus the design of the chip eliminates the need to resort to backside illumination and provides the intrinsically superior dark current characteristics needed to generate the highest quality data.
Saturn 944+ Specifications
- Advanced Kodak™ KAF-4320E CCD sensor
- Front-illuminated Blue Plus™ ITO technology for superior sensitivity
- Large 94 mm x 94 mm (135 mm diagonal) image area
- 2084 x 2084 pixel array with 4-port readout
- Fast 2 MHz per port (8 MHz total) readout speed
- 15,100:1 dynamic range, the highest of any comparable detector
- 18-bit analog-to-digital converter
- Demagnification ratio of 1.88:1
- Reliable closed loop Joule-Thompson cooling system (no water required)
- Full sampling of reciprocal spaces with a 3-axis or 4-axis goniometer
- Supported by CrystalClear™ and HKL-2000®
- 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz (~1700 watts)
- Warranty: parts & labor for 1 year
With its high sensitivity, the Saturn 944+ is particularly powerful for the collection of weaker reflections, producing much higher resolution data. With a small point spread function, short crystal-to-detector distances are possible, thereby achieving high dataset completeness. With the available AFC11 or AFC Kappa goniometers, a flexible set of data acquisition strategies is supported to enhance coverage. Data collection is provided by StructureStudio™ and CrystalClear™, which includes d*TREK®. The Saturn 944+ is bundled with HKL-2000® for data processing.
Blue Plus and Kodak are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company
Image provided by Professor Kazuyuki Tatsumi, Nagoya University