| Description | Sutter Instrument has developed several filter changers specially designed for wavelength selection over a wide spectral range to any given nanometer value. The Lambda VF-5™, Lambda VF-10, Lambda VF-1™ employ the innovative VersaChrome® thin-film filter technology from Semrock® to provide Sutter Instrument has developed several filter changers specially designed for wavelength selection over a wide spectral range to any given nanometer value. The Lambda VF-5™, Lambda VF-10, 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.
The Lambda VF-1 -
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.
The Lambda VF-5 -
Along with the ability to select any wavelength in the range covered by any combination of 5 VersaChrome filters, the Lambda VF-5 has a patented white-light output mode that allows the user to access the full spectral output of the excitation light source when it is required. White-light output is achieved by capturing the rejected light from the VersaChrome filter at a 45 degree angle and then combining the two beams on the output side of the VF-5. If this configuration is desired, it requires an additional custom light guide and SmartShutter® system.
The Lambda VF-10 -
The Lambda VF-10 was originally purpose-built for use with white light supercontinuum lasers. The special sized Versachrome filters are 8 mm x 16 mm making them ideally sized for use with a laser beam. The VF-10 also includes an uncoated glass substrate, identical to the Versachrome filter, which is mounted to an additional stepper motor near the output port of the instrument. This uncoated "filter" changes angle simultaneously with the Versachrome filter and compensates for the laser beam displacement that takes place natively when the filter changes angle for wavelength selection.
Features:- Now supported by the Lambda 10-3 with special programming
- Patented white light output capability
- Wavelength range as wide as 338-900 nm
- Access any center-wavelength in nanometer increments
- Images pass through filters making it suitable for both excitation and emission
- Easily switch between fluorphore combinations
- Optional liquid light guide offers absolute vibration isolation
- All the advantages of thin-film technology - high transmission, steep spectral edges, high out-of-band blocking
- Polarization independence (s and p nearly identical)
... Read More | The Lambda 10-3 is a high performance, microprocessor-controlled multi-filter wheel system for imaging applications requiring up to 3 filter wheels. The latest generation of Sutter's optical filter changer product line, the Lambda 10-3 uses recent advances in motor technology to achieve switching The Lambda 10-3 is a high performance, microprocessor-controlled multi-filter wheel system for imaging applications requiring up to 3 filter wheels. The latest generation of Sutter's optical filter changer product line, the Lambda 10-3 uses recent advances in motor technology to achieve switching times of 40msec between adjacent filters. It features both USB and serial port interfaces as well as keypad control. The Lambda 10-3 is the upgrade to the Lambda 10-2 and ideal for imaging applications requiring multiple filter wheels. This new release offers faster switching times, control for 3 filter wheels/ 2 shutters, more communication interface options and a universal power supply.
The Lambda 10-3 controls up to 3 filter wheels. The user can select between one of seven speeds, allowing the speed to be adjusted in accordance with the load of the wheel. The Lambda 10-3 can operate up to 40msec switching time speed at speed 1 with the traditional 25mm filter wheel as well as our newer, high-speed 32mm version. If additional speed of movement is desired we manufacture a special three position wheel which achieves switching times of less than 33 msec at speed 0.. Except for the 4-position compact wheel, our filter wheels employ a direct drive system consequently there is no belt slippage or backlash.
In addition the Lambda 10-3 controller supports both the traditional Uniblitz shutter as well as our new SmartShutter line. Our SmartShutter is designed to mount on our filter wheels much like the current shutter is mounted so there should be no mounting constraints. In addition we support control of a standalone SmartShutter from the controller, making it possible to control an external SmartShutter wherever an additional shutter is required.
The SmartShutter sets a new standard for shutter performance and reliability. In the traditional shutter design there are two or more “leaves” that rub against each other. Given time, the blades will wear down, bind, and the shutter will fail to open. The SmartShutter is designed with only one moving part, which virtually eliminates the effects of wear and markedly improves performance. Both our 25mm and 35mm SmartShutter are capable of opening within 8ms from the time of the trigger and can reliably achieve repeat opening times of 20 cycles per second.
The microprocessor-based controller provides exceptional versatility and is adaptable to various modes of operation and function. The SmartShutter can be programmed for a variety of movement profiles or to produce a variable aperture by determining the degree of shutter opening. When used in our Lambda LS xenon light source and coupled with a liquid light guide, the shutter acts as a programmable neutral density filter. While the impulse of our shutter is minimal we have incorporated a “soft” action mode to decrease vibration if necessary.
The command’s used to control of our new Lambda 10-3 is a superset of the Lambda 10-2 meaning all of the commands used to control the Lambda 10-2. Additional commands are necessary to access the third wheel as well as the special smart shutter features. The SmartShutter features can be programmed through the keypad so that you can use the old shutter commands to access the neutral density function or the soft shutter mode.
Filter selection can be made directly from the keypad or from a computer via the serial or USB port. The controller determines the shortest route to the selected filter and an acceleration/deceleration algorithm minimizes vibrations during the movement of the wheel. Internal sensors ensure correct filter positioning and the current filter position is displayed on the front panel. The serial port accepts RS232 level signals through a DB-9 connector. USB input is made through a standard connector and can be directly connected to a PC USB port. The Lambda 10-3's USB port interface supports multiple USB devices simultaneously, allowing a user to run in tandem as many units as USB ports.
The line voltage for the Lambda 10-3 may be either 120 or 240 volts, 50 or 60Hz. The universal power supply will automatically switch to accommodate the line voltage - no user adjustment is required. As with the Lambda 10-2, an optional liquid light guide is available for applications requiring absolute vibration isolation, and/or spatial uniformity independent of wavelength.
Features
- As fast as 40 msec between adjacent filters (10 position wheel)
- As fast as 31 msec between adjacent filters (3 position wheel)
- Controls three wheels and up to two optional shutters
- Can accommodate SmartShutter™ and Uniblitz® shutter
- Command set compatible with Lambda 10-2
- Serial, parallel, and USB interfaces
- Can control a variety of 25 mm, 32 mm, and 50mm wheels
- Chopper drives
- Universal power supply
... Read More | The Lambda 10-B is a high performance, microprocessor-controlled filter wheel for imaging applications requiring a single filter wheel. The latest release in Sutter's optical filter changer product line, the Lambda 10-B, uses recent advances in motor technology to achieve switching times of 40msec The Lambda 10-B is a high performance, microprocessor-controlled filter wheel for imaging applications requiring a single filter wheel. The latest release in Sutter's optical filter changer product line, the Lambda 10-B, uses recent advances in motor technology to achieve switching times of 40msec between adjacent filters. When used with our high-speed 4 position wheels, the Lambda 10-B achieves switching times of less than 31msec. It features both USB and serial port interfaces as well as keypad control. The Lambda 10-B is a low-cost alternative to the Lambda 10-2 and ideal for imaging applications requiring a single filter wheel.
The Lambda 10-B can operate with switching times as brief as 40msec with our standard 25mm filter wheel as well as our 32mm wheel. The user can select from seven speeds, allowing the speed to be adjusted in accordance with the load of the wheel. Except for the 4 position compact wheel, our filter wheels employ a direct drive system: a feature that prevents belt slippage or backlash. An optional shutter installation is also available.
Filter selection can be made directly from the keypad or from a computer via the serial or USB port. The Lambda 10-B controller determines the shortest route to the selected filter and an acceleration/deceleration algorithm minimizes vibrations during the movement of the wheel. The current filter position is displayed on the front panel. Internal sensors monitor the position of the filter wheel to insure that the correct filter is in place. The drive uses switching mode current regulation, which is more economical than the linear supply of the Lambda 10-2. Although this is not a problem with most imaging applications, the Lambda 10-2 may be more appropriate for systems where electrophysiology is performed.
Both serial and USB input ports are provided to allow complete and easy control from a remote computer. The serial port accepts RS232 level signals through a DB-9 connector. USB input is made through a standard connector and can be directly connected to a USB port. The Lambda 10-B's USB port interface supports multiple USB devices simultaneously, allowing a user to run in tandem as many units as USB ports. The universal power supply will automatically switch to accommodate local line voltage.
Options:
The basic system for the Lambda 10-B includes our popular 10 position 25mm filter wheel. A significant advantage of the Lambda 10-B controller is that it can accommodate a variety of Sutter filter wheels to suit your particular requirements. The controller will automatically detect and determine the model of wheel installed and adjust for the number of positions and filter size.
Our 32mm wheel was designed to remedy the problem of vignetting that may occur with a 25mm filter format in certain microscope systems, and can achieve the same 40ms switching times as our 25mm wheel. For applications requiring a larger aperture opening, there is a 5 position 50mm filter wheel. If additional speed is required, we offer a high-speed, 4 position 25mm wheel which is capable of achieving 31ms switching times between adjacent filters. An optional liquid light guide is available for applications requiring absolute vibration isolation, and/or spatial uniformity independent of wavelength. The Lambda 10-B is also capable of controlling either the SmartShutter or the Uniblitz shutter.
Features
- 40 msec between adjacent filters
- (10 position wheel)
- 31 msec between adjacent filters
- (3 position wheel)
- Serial and USB interfaces
- Can control a variety of 25mm, 32mm and 50mm wheels
- Controls one wheel and one optional shutter
- Command set compatible with Lambda 10-C
- Chopper drives
- Universal power supply
... Read More |