User`s guide

SHUTTER CONTROL
SDK SECTION 7
Page 59
SECTION 7 - SHUTTER CONTROL
SHUTTER MODES
In the sections on Acquisition modes and Readout modes the use of a shutter was highlighted to prevent the
smearing of data. Smearing occurs if light is allowed to fall on to the CCD while the pixel charges are being
binned into the shift register prior to readout. The Andor system has a dedicated shutter control line that
ensures that the shutter is correctly operated at all times.
The SetShutter and SetShutterEx functions provide you with a selection of options that determine when and
how a shutter should be used.
Fully Auto
Fully Auto is the simplest shutter mode because it leaves all shuttering decisions to the Andor system. The
shutter opens and closes automatically in accordance with any acquisition parameters you have set.
This option will automatically provide suitable shuttering for the majority of data acquisitions.
Hold Open
If the shutter mode is set to Hold Open the shutter will be open before, during and after any data acquisition.
Choose this option if you wish to take a series of acquisitions with the shutter opened at all times (e.g. if you
are taking a series of acquisitions with a pulsed source with little or no background illumination).
Hold Closed
If the shutter mode is set to Hold Close the shutter remains closed before, during and after any data
acquisition. Choose this option if you wish to take an acquisition in darkness (e.g. if you are acquiring a
background scan).