Edinburgh Instruments has introduced a new upgrade available for its line of photoluminescence (PL) spectrometers. The MicroPL upgrade converts PL spectrometers into combined spectrometer and microscope systems, enabling the study of spectral or time-resolved photoluminescence in samples at a microscopic scale. The MicroPL accommodates a wide range of microscope configurations, source coupling and detector options for both steady state and fluorescence lifetime microscopy, as well as automated maps. Compatible spectrometer models include the FLS1000 Photoluminescence Spectrometer and FS5 Spectrofluorometer.
The MicroPL is coupled to the spectrometer via liquid light guides or fibers and can be easily swapped with standard sample holders for the FLS1000 and FS5. Both widefield and point excitation are possible using the upgrade, as well as time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) and mult-channel scaling (MCS) operating modes. The MicroPL is also compatible with Edinburgh Instruments EPL, HPL and VPL diode lasers.
The upgraded system can be configured with a computer-controlled XYZ stage for a fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) add-on, with special features available in Edinburgh’s Fluoracle software for controlling the stage and advanced analysis of maps without the need for additional software packages. The MicroPL upgrade uses Nikon Niu and Olympus BX53 upright microscopes and Nikon Ti2-U inverted microscopes, but it is also possible to couple other microscopes to the FLS1000 or FS5 spectrometers for a custom upgrade.
“We are delighted to expand the functionality of our photoluminescence spectrometers,” said Edinburgh Instruments CEO Roger Fenske. “Not only is our new PL microscope option fully configurable, it can also be upgraded with additional capability in the future. This ensures that our products keep evolving as new research trends emerge.”