Lumencor Light Engines
BioVision Technologies offers the following Lumencor® Light Engines® and related products:
SPECTRA X Light Engine
Over more than a decade of proven performance, Lumencor’s SPECTRA X Light Engine has been a first‐choice illuminator for researchers worldwide. It has always offered brightness and spectral flexibility, with user‐exchangeable bandpass filters that allow for all the freedom of a breadboard excitation subsystem in a compact, easy‐to‐use box. It has always offered stability and reproducibility.
The SPECTRA X has offered ready adjustment of spectral output to meet experimental requirements. The 2023 refresh improves upon its predecessor with a broader spectral range now available for selection.
The SPECTRA X Light Engine provides six independently controllable, tunable light sources spanning the visible spectrum from 360–780 nm. Each SPECTRA X Light Engine comes equipped with a set of eight optical bandpass filters, providing the capacity to refine and tune the source outputs to meet evolving experimental requirements. The filters are user‐exchangeable and are installed in removable paddles. The process of replacing one excitation filter with another in the SPECTRA X is as straightforward as it is in a filter wheel. On the other hand, the color switching speed delivered by the SPECTRA X (0.1 ms) is vastly superior to that of a filter wheel (50 ms). In live cell microscopy applications where milliseconds are critical, this can be a decisive advantage. The SPECTRA X now features an advanced control system built around an onboard microprocessor which provides advanced control and monitoring functions in addition to basic control functions of light source selection, on/off switching and output intensity adjustment.
The SPECTRA X is well suited for a broad array of applications, particularly live and fixed cell imaging. Now all common fluorescent dyes, proteins and conjugates can be illuminated with a lighting subsystem that is powerful enough to maximize fluorescent response and offers the stability and robustness necessary for quantitation.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Sources | Six independenly‐controlled solid‐state illumination sources |
| Wavelength Range | 360–780 nm |
| Excitation Filters | Spectral output refined by user‐exchangeable 25 mm‐diameter bandpass filters. Filters for DAPI, CFP, GFP/FITC, YFP, TRITC/Cy3, mCherry/Alexa Fluor 594, Cy5 and Cy7 included. |
| Output Power | Typically 100–700 mW at the distal end of 3 mm‐diameter liquid light guide, as a function of bandpass wavelength and width |
| Light Delivery | Built-in output adapter for 3 mm‐diameter liquid light guide (“LLG”) with safety interlock. LLG and collimating adapter for microscope available separately. |
| Safety Interlocks | Light output contingent on mechanical (key) and electronic interlocks. |
| Control Software | Onboard GUI or computer-based acquisition software |
| Control Interfaces | Source selection, light output on/off and intensity via serial interface (RS-232/USB or Ethernet TCP port). Source selection and light output on/off via TTL. |
| Intensity Control | 5–100% linear control for each source, independently. 0–5% power is not recommended. |
| Speed | Maximum 5 kHz channel switching |
| Optional Accessories | 9-channel breakout cable for TTL triggering |
| Light Engine control pod which connects to Light Engine USB port and controls source selection, light output on/off and intensity settings. | |
| Routine Maintenance | None. No consumables required |
| Installation | 10–15 minutes. Fully assembled and pre‐aligned |
| Power Requirements | 120 W, 24 VDC, 5 A,50–60 Hz. DC power supply (220 W, 24 V/9.2 A) and AC cord included. |
| Dimensions (W×L×H) | 145×340×203 mm |
| 5.7×13.0×8.0” | |
| Weight | 8.7 kg (19.1 lb) |
| Warranty | 24 months |
Single-Band Dichroics and Emission Filters
Lumencor’s SPECTRA X Light Engine provides six independently controllable light sources that span the visible spectrum from 380–680 nm. Each SPECTRA X Light Engine comes equipped with a set of seven optical bandpass filters, providing the capacity to refine and tune the source outputs to meet experimental requirements. The filters are user-exchangeable and are installed in removable paddles. One filter is applied to each of the six solid state-light sources (violet, blue, cyan, green+yellow, red, and near-infrared).
Please contactBioVision Technologies to confirm the best filter prescription for your application and experiment design.
Multi-Band Dichroics and Emission Filters
Use of multi-band filter sets for fluorescence microscopy inevitably requires compromises in terms of discrimination between individual fluorophores. Simultaneous excitation of two, three or four fluorophores using a full multi-band filter set (i.e. multi-band exciter, multi-band dichroic and multi-band emitter) may produce unacceptable levels of detection channel cross-talk, particularly in applications involving co-localization analysis.
When higher levels of inter-channel discrimination are required, the most common technical solution is sequential excitation through filter sets with multiple single band exciters feeding into a multi-band dichroic and a multi-band emitter (often referred to as Pinkel sets). The SPECTRA X Light Engine allows one to six solid-state light sources on and off, thereby exciting two, three, four or more fluorophores in a multi-labeled specimen one at a time. Thus the functionality of a Pinkel filter set can be obtained.
Because the SPECTRA X is solid state, it operates without mechanical filter interchanges using filter wheels or other positioning devices. Higher switching speeds are attainable and variances associated with moving parts are eliminated.
Please contactBioVision Technologies to confirm the best filter prescription for your application and experiment design.
The SOLA Light Engines
Solid State White Light Excitation Subsystems
Lumencor’s SOLA light engines offer access to modern solid state illumination, with all its performance and efficiency benefits, at a price comparable to most metal halide light sources. With reliability and maintenance-free service built in, they provide sustainable and cost‐effective replacements for traditional mercury‐containing arc lamps.
Lumencor’s four‐strong family of SOLA Light Engines are the market leaders in modern solid‐state illumination for microscopy and other life science applications. Why tolerate the limitations of an archaic mercury or metal halide lamp on your microscope when such a reliable and technically superior replacement is readily available.
Product Description
The four SOLA Light Engine models are primarily distinguished by spectral output:
- SOLA Light Engine provides white light output for excitation of DAPI, GFP/FITC, YFP, Cy3, mCherry, Cy5 and spectrally similar fluorophores.
- SOLA FISH Light Engine, output in the 475–600 nm region is red‐shifted to provide optimal excitation for SpectrumGreen™, SpectrumRed™ and other fluorophores commonly used for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis in cytogenetic testing laboratories.
- SOLA V–N and U–N Light Engines offer the broadest spectral coverage, including near infrared (nIR) output for excitation of fluorophores such as Cy7 and ICG, and for other applications that benefit from the enhanced tissue penetration of nIR light.
Technical Specifications
| Characteristic | Details | |
| Sources | 4, 5, or 6 solid state illumination sources operating simultaneously to produce white light | |
| Output Power | 3.5 to 4.5 Watts (depending on model) white light output from 3 mm‐diameter liquid light guide (LLG) | |
| Spectral Range | SOLA, SOLA FISH: | 360–660 nm |
| SOLA V-N: | 380–760 nm | |
| SOLA U-N: | 360–760 nm | |
| Light Delivery | 3 mm diameter liquid light guide (LLG) included. Collimating adapter for microscope sold separately | |
| Installation | 10–15 minutes. Fully assembled and pre‐aligned | |
| Routine Maintenance | None. No consumables required | |
| Control Interface | USB Type B | remote control by light engine control pod or by computer |
| BNC | Input for TTL‐activated electronic shutter | |
| Operator‐driven | Light output on/off by button or by optional foot pedal accessory | |
| Power Requirements | 120 W, 24 VDC, 5 A. Power supply and cord included. | |
| Dimensions | 125×263×163 mm (W×L×H) | |
| Weight | 4.3 kg (9.5 lb) | |
| Warranty | 24 months | |
Applications
The SOLA U–N includes a source of ultraviolet light. It is designed as a true replacement for a mercury lamp, using existing Hg filter sets.
The SOLA V–N includes a source of violet light, and is suitable for imaging all the most common fluorophores and fluorescent proteins.
For SOLA U–N and SOLA V–N light engines, the bright visible‐range output is extended into the near infrared (nIR), providing additional utility for excitation of fluorophores such as Cy7 and ICG, and for other applications that benefit from the enhanced tissue penetration of nIR light.
The SOLA FISH light engine provides assay‐specific lighting for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), with red‐shifted spectral outputs resulting in optimal matching to the excitation spectra of widely used nucleic acid hybridization probes.
Ease of Integration, Ease of Use
The SOLA is suited for use with filter sets from Chroma Technologies and Semrock, Inc.. Integration with existing filter cubes is also simple.
Integration with existing hardware configurations is also easy. A liquid light guide (“LLG”) and an adapter that connects the light engine to the LLG are available. Couplers are available for connecting the LLG to microscopes from all major microscope manufacturers.
With no bulb consumables to purchase and install, coupled to energy efficient operation, the initial investment in a SOLA Light Engine can be recouped in saved lamp operating costs savings within a few years.
Never again worry about arc lamp alignment, installation and replacement. SOLA light engines require essentially no warm‐up time and offer superior stability, eliminating idle time. The SOLA light engine only needs to be turned on when one is actually acquiring data. This performance is backed by a 24‐month warranty.
Performance and Power
The lifetime of the SOLA is all usable hours, since the light engine requires essentially no warm-up time, and because it runs with superior stability of output power.
The SOLA Light Engine delivers more than enough output power for even the most demanding microscopy applications. Expect several watts of visible light output pumped through the liquid light guide coupling to your microscope.
The MAGMA Light Engine: Wide‐ranging illumination for microscopy
Lumencor’s MAGMA Light Engine incorporates 21 individually selectable LED light sources under the control of an onboard microprocessor, providing spectral output from 350–1050 nm.
The LED outputs are merged into a common optical train directed to the light output port on the front panel. The light output port has a built-in adapter for connection to microscopes and other analytical instruments through a liquid light guide (LLG) or optical fiber.
The MAGMA features an advanced control system based around an onboard microprocessor with ethernet connectivity and an embedded command library. These illuminator commands give access not only to color channel selection, light output on/off switching and output intensity adjustment, but also to extended control features including:
- Regulation of light output power
- Cumulative run‐time monitoring
- Real‐time light output power monitoring
- Real‐time electrical power consumption monitoring
- Linearized output power control
Specifications
| Feature | Specifics |
| Sources | 21 solid state sources including LEDs and proprietary luminescent light pipes. No lasers. |
| Spectral Range | 365–1050 nm |
| Control Interface |
|
| Output Power | 5–100 mW per source color channel (dependent on filtering) |
| Light Delivery | Customizable output adapter for fiber bundle based on requirements |
| Power Requirements | 220 W, 24 V, 9.2A DC power supply included |
| Dimensions | 145×340×203 mm (W×L×H) |
| Weight | 8.7 kg |
| Warranty | 24 months |
RETRA Light Engine
The RETRA Light Engine incorporates two individually controllable solid-state light sources with associated bandpass filters, producing spectrally discrete outputs. Spectral outputs can be situated from the ultraviolet through the visible to the near-infrared, according to application-specific requirements. One configuration, the RETRA FURA Light Engine, provides 340 nm and 380 nm outputs for Fura-2 calcium ratio imaging.
Light sources may include LEDs, luminescent light pipes and lasers, depending on output wavelength and power requirements.
The RETRA features an advanced control system built around an onboard microprocessor which provides advanced control and monitoring functions in addition to basic control functions of light source selection, on/off switching, and output intensity adjustment.
The outputs of the two light sources are refined by bandpass filters and merged into a common optical train directed to the light output port on the front panel.
Specifications
| Feature | Specifics |
| Sources | 2 independently controlled solid-state light sources with integrated bandpass filters |
| Spectral Range | 365–1050 nm |
| Control Interface |
|
| Speed | Maximum 5 kHz channel switching |
| Output Power | 500 mW per source color channel (dependent on filtering) |
| Light Delivery | Liquid light guide (LLG) or optical fiber |
| Power Requirements | 220 W, 24 V, 9.2A DC power supply |
| Dimensions | 145×190×203 mm (W×L×H) |
| Weight | 4.2 kg |
| Warranty | 24 months |
AURA Light Engine
The AURA incorporates up to five independently controlled light sources. Microscope light sources may include LEDs, luminescent light pipes and lasers, depending on output wavelength and power requirements.
Source configuration flexibility allows the spectral output of the Light Engine to be customized according to application-specific requirements.
The AURA features an advanced control system built around an onboard microprocessor which provides advanced control and monitoring functions in addition to basic control functions of light source selection, on/off switching, and output intensity adjustment.
The outputs of the constituent light sources are refined by bandpass filters and merged into a common Optical Train directed to the light output port on the front panel.
Specifications
| Feature | Specifics |
| Sources | Up to five independently controlled solid-state light sources with integrated microscope bandpass filters |
| Control Interface |
|
| Speed | Maximum 5 kHz channel switching |
| Output Power | 500 mW per source color channel (dependent on filtering) |
| Light Delivery | Liquid light guide (LLG) or optical fiber |
| Power Requirements | 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz. DC power supply (220 W, 24 V/9.2 A) and AC cord included |
| Dimensions | 145×263×203 mm (W×L×H) |
| Weight | 6.2 kg |
| Warranty | 24 months |
Light Engine Control Pod
Lumencor’s Light Engine Control Pod puts light source on/off status and intensity level controls at your fingertips, without the need for dedicated computers or third party software.
The Light Engine Control Pod is a compact control console for all Lumencor microscope Light Engines equipped with USB or RS-232 serial ports, including:
- AURA Light Engine
- LIDA Light Engine
- MIRA Light Engine
- SOLA Light Engines
- SPECTRA Light Engine
- SPECTRA X Light Engine
- ZIVA Light Engine
The pod requires minimal set-up and is robust and easy-to-use. Light source selection, on/off switching and output intensity settings are controlled by two push buttons and a rotary dial in combination with menus and status displays on a built-in screen. A second USB port on the pod allows pass-through control of the Light Engine from computer workstations.
