Sample Illumination control from Cairn
Cairn wavelength changers have been designed to be easily integrated with fluorescence imaging software from a range of manufacturers, with a choice of either direct PC control or rack based systems for combining imaging and photometry. All our controllers provide the fast, precise timing needed to synchronise wavelength changes with digital and frame rate cameras for applications requiring wavelength changes. These are ideally suited to fluorescence ratio imaging and recording from multiple dyes, preventing the sample being exposed to excess light thus minimising photodamage to the cells and photobleaching of the dye.
Optoscan Monochromators
The wavelength changer of choice for most applications is the Optoscan monochromator. Coupled with our high intensity xenon light sources, signals can be recorded from the most weakly fluorescent material. The Optoscan provides the very fast wavelength changes required for ratiometric imaging, with typical wavelength and bandwidth changes achieved in less than a millisecond. The Optoscan comes in a range of specifications, all based around the same high quality optics. Full details are available from the monochromator pages.
Optospin Filter Wheels
The Optospin filter wheel is recommended in applications
where use of a monochromator is not warranted. It is supplied in two standard
formats, with either three or six filter positions. It can be fitted on both
the illumination and detection pathways using our standard modular microscope
couplings. As it has been designed for use on both the illlumination and emission
detection pathways it accomodates 25mm filters and has a very short optical
path length. In many cases it is possible to integrate the Optospin into the
standard C-mount on the microscope output, with no increase in the path length.
On the input side, the filter wheel drops into the optical adapter on the
lamphouse output or can be coupled directly onto the rear of the microscope.
Full information on our filter wheel range can be found on the Optospin pages.
Fixed dual wavelength excitation
For applications requiring continuous sampling from two fluorescent
probes, no wavelength change is required, but two separate wavebands are required
to illuminate the preparation simultaneously. This situation can arise when
using the Optosplit image splitter, where the emission image is filtered to
form a long and short wavelength image side by side on the camera chip. These
images are captured simultaneously, so if a different excitation band is required
for each the two probes being recorded then the sample must be illuminated
with the two appropriate wavebands. This is achieved using our dual excitation
illuminator where the light source output is separated into two pathways.
Each light path has the provision to accomodate a 25mm filter to select the
excitation waveband. The two light paths are then recombined to form a single
dual chromatic input to the microscope.
Single wavelength excitation
Basic illumination requirements are met using our Optical
adapter and microscope input coupling range which couple the light source
to the microscope using a liquid light guide. In its most basic form this
consists of a single filter permanently fixed in the light path, with modular
components available including filter sliders, shutters and adjustable apertures
