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Sutter
Instrument introduces two new filter changers
specially designed for wavelength selection over
a wide
spectral range to any given nanometer value. The
Lambda VF-5™ and Lambda VF-1™ employ the innovative
VersaChrome® thin-film filter technology from
Semrock® to provide outstanding bandpass
characteristics such
as high transmission (close to 100%), steep
edges and out-of-band blocking. Since these
filters pass an image, they are equally suitable
for emission and excitation paths.
A
specific wavelength within the wide spectral
range of each filter is obtained by adjusting
the angle of
incidence from 0 to 60 degrees. This tuning
causes little or no change in spectral
performance of the
filter regardless of the state of polarization
of the light passing through the filter. The
current VersaChrome
series has 7 filters covering 338 to 800nm. By
simply selecting the desired centerwavelength on
the controller, the Lambda VF-5 automatically
moves and tilts one of its 5 filters into position.
Users can select any combination of filters
offered by Semrock for the Lambda VF-5 (which holds
up to 5 filters) or any single filter in the
series for the Lambda VF-1.
When
using the Lambda VF-5 for emission applications,
we suggest installation of the 5 filters with the
longer center-wavelengths covering from 430nm to
800nm. For excitation applications, we suggest
installing the 5 filters with the shortest
wavelengths covering 338 to 620nm. For special applications,
any combination of 5 filters could be installed
in the Lambda VF-5. The compact Lambda VF-1
accepts any single filter in the series. These
filters can be changed as needed.
The
controller for these new tunable filter changers
is a special version of Sutters Lambda 10-B.
Users can
select the desired center wavelength in 1nm
increments from the keypad, or via the serial or
USB ports. In
addition, Sutter has installed a command set
that is similar to that of the standard Lambda
10-B to allow
the user to directly select the filter and angle
in microstep increments. This allows control of the
Lambda VF-5 and VF-1 with minimal changes to
existing software supporting the popular Lambda 10-B
controller.
The
Lambda VF-1 accepts any single filter in the
series, which can be exchanged with other
filters as needed.
This model offers faster switching times as well
as a more compact and affordable system. When
used with the Lambda VF-1, the controller is
able to also control a separate filter wheel or SmartShutter®. |
