The metric most important when evaluating light intensities required for widefield fluorescence microscopy is the irradiance (or power density) at the sample plane, expressed in mW/mm2.

Our data table shows irradiance generated by SPECTRA and SPECTRA X Light Engines in the four principle excitation bands used in multicolor fluorescence microscopy. Irradiance required for widefield fluorescence microscopy is typically on the order of 10–100 mW/mm2. Clearly, such levels are provided by the SPECTRA X Light Engine; prompting the question, why would the higher irradiance levels provided by the SPECTRA be useful?

Higher irradiance allows exposure times to be shortened while maintaining the number of fluorescence photons detected. Shorter exposure times provide increased temporal resolution in time-lapse image sequences and reduce the time required to acquire multicolor z-stacks or slide scans.

Lumencor’s SPECTRA Light Engine provides an illumination system with the best of spectral breadth, brightness, and speed for even the most demanding imaging and high throughput applications.

MEASUREMENT CONDITIONS
• Power measurements made with Coherent FieldMax II–TO power meter with PM3 thermopile detector. Nikon Ti microscope with Semrock FF409/493/573/652-Di02
quad dichroic.
• Excitation filters (CWL/FWHM, nm): DAPI = 390/22; FITC = 475/28; TRITC = 555/28; Cy5 = 635/22.
• Light engine output coupled to microscope using Lumencor 3 mm diameter liquid light guide (PN 10-10589) and collimating adapter (PN 82-10121).