Date: 02/12/2009

Laser combiner system for microscopy applications

Agilent has introduced the MLC400, a new monolithic laser combiner system, which is suitable for confocal and fluorescence microscopy applications such as total-internal-reflection fluorescence (TIRF), fluorescence resonant-energy transfer (FRET), fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM), fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) and photo-activated localization microscopy (PALM).

With optics bonded in a complex monolithic optic, the MLC400 monolithic laser combiner delivers stable optical power.

The standard MLC400 monolithic laser combiner is configured with DPSS and diode lasers at 405nm, 488nm, 561nm, 640nm and an acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF). A pass-through option allows users to couple alternate laser sources such as argon ion with the system. As research needs change, the instrument can be upgraded to add or change wavelength channels.

"Designed to meet cell biologists' growing interest in confocal and fluorescence microscopy and their desire to work without fine-tuning their instruments on a frequent basis, the Agilent MLC400 monolithic laser combiner is a fully integrated, permanently aligned, turn-key instrument," said Bill Volk, Agilent general manager, Nano Positioning Metrology Division. "The monolithic design builds on our expertise in developing extremely reliable optical systems for aerospace, defense and semiconductor applications. The result is an easy-to-use laser illumination system for microscopy that installs in just a few minutes and never requires adjustment to maintain optimal power and alignment."

Availability: Shipments will begin in the first quarter of 2010

For more details visit www.agilent.com