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Microscopy Systems - Active Illumination

Light Sources

Light sources are chosen for high brightness and efficient coupling to AI instruments. FRAPPA uses CW and pulsed lasers in the range 400-800 nm and powers up to 1W. MicroPoint is designed for pulsed dye-laser operation, but can use other lasers (on request) in the range 365-660 nm. Mosaic is compatible with lasers, arc lamps and super-luminous sources according to the application. Uncaging, photoactivation, photoswitching and optogenetics need lower power density so incoherent sources function well and are cost effective.

Active Illumination Source

N2 / Dye Pulsed LaserAMH Metal HalideALC / MPU Multi Laser SystemDG4 Xe Arc Lamp405nm High Power DiodeHg Lamp
MicroPoint
Yes
FRAPPA
Yes
Yes
Mosaic
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Epi / Widefield Illumination

N2 / Dye Pulsed Laser AMH Metal HalideALC / MPU Multi Laser SystemDG4 Xe Arc Lamp405nm High Power DiodeHg Lamp
MicroPoint
Yes
Yes
Yes
FRAPPA
Yes
Yes
Yes
Mosaic
Yes
Yes
Yes

405 nm Highpower Laser

475 mW, with direct modulation

This high-power laser diode delivers a CV output of approximately 475 mW. The laser can be directly modulated at MHz rates, making it highly effective for both sustained and pulse mode operation. To ensure uniform illumination of Mosaic’s DMD, the optical fiber, which delivers the laser output into the Mosaic, is subjected to mode mixing or phase shearing. This homogenizes the optical intensity profile, achieving typical uniformity better than 5%.

Features

  • Wavelength - 405 +/-3 nm
  • Output power - approximately 475 mW
  • Processing - mode-mixing or phase via homogenizer
  • Maximum modulation rate - 20 MHz
  • External modulation - TTL
  • Uniformity - < 5% typical
  • Applications include activation and bleaching

Andor Laser Combiner (ALC) with optional Multi Port Unit (MPU)

Compact, flexible robust

Andor Laser Combiner

ALC is an established market leader with up to 6 solid state laser lines in a single 19” rack enclosure and integral AOTF for rapid switching and blanking. The multi-port switching unit (MPU) provides unique flexibility with millisecond switching to one of three fiber ports for confocal, FRAPPA and/or TIRF.

Features

  • Integral AOTF for microsecond laser selection and modulation
  • Hardware blanking minimizes specimen exposureALC Graph
  • Long life solid state lasers with excellent stability (typical ≤ 2% over 8 hour period peak to peak)
  • Choose up to 6 solid state lasers from 405, 445, 488, 491, 515, 532, 561, 594, 640 nm
  • Unique MPU (multi-port unit) provides ms switching to one of three fiber ports, FRAPPA, CSU and/or TIRF illumination
  • Compact 4U 19” rack mount enclosure
  • Quiet, cool with low power consumption
  • Laser powers from 25 – 250 mW depending on wavelength

DG-4

Fast switching filter-based Xenon source

DG4 Light Source

The Lambda DG-4/DG-5 is a complete illumination system offering speed and versatility for experiments requiring rapid wavelength switching. The instrument retains all the advantages of interference filter based systems, yet eliminates temporal constraints imposed by traditional filter changing devices like filter wheels. Switching between any two wavelengths is achieved in less than 1.2 ms. This facilitates the ability to follow fast changes in ion concentrations in dual wavelength ratio imaging applications and to monitor changes in the studied system at additional wavelengths.

Features

  • Wavelength range 340 - 700 nm (Xenon 150 or 300 W)
  • 1.2 ms switching time and 500 μs shutter
  • Synchronized operation with Fast LZ imaging
  • Liquid light guide coupling
  • Choice for fast Calcium ion imaging
  • Compatible with DSD
  • TTL, RS232, parallel control interfaces

AMH-200 Series (Metal Halide)

Bright, stable, long life lamp, no alignment required, optional filter wheel

AMH Light Source

The AMH-200 is a 200 Watt DC stabilized metal halide light source with 2200 hours lamp life. Support from Andor iQ and 3rd party software make this a flexible and efficient source for a broad range of applications. The easily replaced lamp and liquid light guide provide broadband excitation (UV-Vis-NIR) with no alignment and offer outstanding uniformity. AMH-200- F6S includes a fast 6-position internal filter wheel providing a cost effective, integrated Epi illumination package.

Features

  • Wavelength range 380 - 700 nm
  • ~ 60 ms switching speed (filter wheel)AMH Graph
  • Motorized intensity / shutter, 0% - 100%, 1% resolution, 40 ms Open / Close
  • Optical coupling, UV / Vis liquid light guide, NA 0.5, length 2 m (optional 3 m)
  • Light source - 200 W stabilized metal halide lamp
  • Lamp lifetime typically 2200 hours
  • USB interface

Lamp Housing

Use your existing arc lamp to illuminate Mosaic

Arc Light SourceEpi fluorescence microscopes have traditionally used Mercury or Xenon arc lamp housings. These are still supplied with a large number of new microscopes and can be used to illuminate Mosaic for AI. These broadband light sources deliver wavelengths from UV to IR and are adapted for use with Mosaic using an electro-mechanical shutter and excitation filter to select the AI wavelength range. They can also be used for their original purpose of Epi illumination in Mosaic and MicroPoint. When used with Mosaic the rich UV output can be used for localized release of caged compounds and other wavelengths can be used for activation and bleaching.

  • Flexible - use for Active or Epi Illumination
  • Usable wavelengths - 360 - 800 nmArc Lamp Graph
  • Mechanical shutter open-close - 20 - 30 ms
  • Mercury or Xenon lamp
  • Direct coupling - heat filter supplied
  • Cost-effective
  • User-defined imaging / AI wavelength range(s)
  • Optional integration with filter wheel
  • Uncaging, activation, bleaching