Focus on lasers, imaging, and microscopy

Bruker developed its Luxendo LCS SPIM light-sheet fluorescence microscope for fast 3D imaging of large, optically cleared samples. The versatile LCS SPIM features a removable standard quartz-crystal cuvette that allows gentle sample mounting, easy access, and compatibility with all types of clearing solutions. The cuvette comes in different lengths to enable imaging of various sample configurations up to 40 mm long. Filled with the clearing solution and specimen, the cuvette is positioned on the sample stage. The motorized stage and programmable optics for fast 3D scanning of the light sheet through the sample lessen mechanical stress on the sample. The design minimizes motion-induced sample distortions, while its novel optical configuration enables high acquisition speed. Bruker Optics Inc, 40 Manning Rd, Billerica, MA 01821, www.bruker.com

The latest addition to the Teledyne Princeton Instruments short-wave IR (SWIR) camera portfolio, the NIRvana HS, uses the advantages of the second near-IR window (NIR-II) to meet scientific, industrial, and medical needs. According to the company, the NIRvana HS provides a combination of features not previously offered in a high-performance SWIR camera: It runs at 250 frames/s in 16-bit mode and offers both integrate-then-read and integrate-while-read modes for low noise and high duty cycle. The thermal design includes deep cooling to −55 °C and incorporates a state-of-the-art vacuum-sealed chamber to provide long-term maintenance-free operation. Advanced image correction ensures high image quality. The NIRvana HS has applications in fluorescence microscopy, nanomaterials, in vivo imaging, astronomy, agriculture, and semiconductors. Teledyne Princeton Instruments, 3660 Quakerbridge Rd, Trenton, NJ 08619, www.princetoninstruments.com

Bristol Instruments has announced a fast, cost-effective optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) for testing optical transceivers used in applications of wavelength-division multiplexing. The model 750 measures and reports the side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) in less than 0.07 s. Compared with traditional grating-based OSA systems, that speed reduces testing times, according to the company. The model 750 optical spectrum analyzer uses Michelson interferometer-based technology with FFT analysis to generate a laser’s spectrum over the entire 1260–1680 nm wavelength range. Spectral resolution of 0.15 nm and wavelength accuracy of ±0.01 nm provide a detailed analysis of the main peak and side modes of most optical transceivers. A high dynamic range of greater than 40 dB ensures an accurate SMSR measurement. Bristol Instruments Inc, 770 Canning Pkwy, Victor, NY 14564, www.bristol-inst.com

PicoQuant has expanded the capabilities of its Taiko PDL M1 picosecond diode laser driver. Because of Taiko’s smart, flexible power control and monitoring, pulse energy and shape are almost perfectly constant and calibrated at any repetition rate. The Max Power mode, now available as a free firmware update, lets the driver operate existing and new laser heads with increased power and run each laser diode at the highest possible pulse energy. The company has also extended the range of laser heads for the Taiko PDL M1: It now includes modules emitting at 530, 560, and 595 nm and high-powered multimode diodes that cover the spectral range from the visible to the near-IR. The diodes provide access to average optical output powers up to 150 mW in pulsed mode or up to 200 mW in continuous mode. PicoQuant, Rudower Chaussee 29, 12489 Berlin, Germany, www.picoquant.com

Stanford Research Systems has introduced two optical shutter systems, the SR470 and the SR474, built around a novel shutter head designed to minimize vibration on optical tables. Unlike conventional solenoid-based shutters, the SR475 shutter head contains a control system with a closed-loop digital signal processor that precisely guides the shutter blade between open and closed positions. Because the shutter blade never encounters a physical stop, the SR475 minimizes vibration and mechanical noise. The shutter blade is mounted between sapphire jewel bearings that lessen friction, which results in a long head lifetime in excess of 10 million cycles. The SR470 laser shutter controller provides timing signals to a single shutter head; exposure time can be set between 4 ms and 10 000 s with 0.1 ms resolution. The multichannel SR474 drives up to four shutter heads and is controlled by external timing signals. Stanford Research Systems, 1290-D Reamwood Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94089, www.thinksrs.com

Zeiss has completed its Axiocam portfolio with the introduction of four CMOS cameras—the Axiocam 705 color, 712 color, 705 mono, and 712 mono—for digital imaging in light microscopy. According to the company, the Axiocam 705 color and 712 color microscope cameras deliver optimal image quality for histology, pathology, and materials research and analysis. The cameras’ small 3.45 µm pixels and low noise levels, combined with the USB 3.0 platform, ensure fast imaging and excellent signal quality. Their global shutter architecture allows dynamic samples to be captured without creating motion artifacts. Suitable for fluorescence live-cell imaging, the Axiocam 705 mono and 712 mono offer extended near-IR sensitivity that yields deeper insights into sample structures. The 5 MP Axiocam 705 color and 705 mono cameras are optimized for speed and high dynamic range. With 12 MP, the 712 color and 712 mono cameras can be used to acquire large samples, which reduces the need for stitching. Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH, Carl-Zeiss-Promenade 10, 07745 Jena, Germany, www.zeiss.com

The Nano-F100 focusing-element nanopositioner from Mad City Labs offers subnanometer accuracy under closed-loop control. According to the company, the Nano-F series features very low off-axis motion, so microscope images remain stable throughout the entire 100 µm range of vertical motion. The Nano-F100 can be used alone or in conjunction with other Mad City nanopositioning systems. Quick-mount adapters with various threads allow the Nano-F series to be used on all microscopes. The adapter screws directly into the microscope turret; the nanopositioner can then be clamped onto the adapter without having to rotate the entire assembly with the attached cable. Applications for the Nano-F100 nanopositioner include photoactivated localization, stochastic optical reconstruction, and superresolution microscopy, as well as confocal and fluorescence imaging. Mad City Labs Inc, 2524 Todd Dr, Madison, WI 53713, www.madcitylabs.com

NKT Photonics has brought to market its SuperK Fianium range of pulsed supercontinuum lasers. Based on the company’s SuperK Extreme laser, the Fianium features upgraded electronics and new fiber technology for improved performance and reliability. According to NKT, it represents a cost-effective and user-friendly alternative to titanium:sapphire lasers, and its monolithic all-fiber architecture makes it stable and robust. The Fianium covers the UV, visible, and near-IR wavelength ranges from 390 nm to 2400 nm. It offers broadband output; users can also tune to the line needed by means of tunable filters or expand further into the UV with the spectral extension unit. The diffraction-limited spot size ensures a high resolution. The Fianium can be operated either from the front panel or via a graphical interface on a PC. NKT Photonics Inc, 23 Drydock Ave, Boston, MA 02210, www.nktphotonics.com

The pulse compressor and peak-field booster accessory from OZ Optics uses nonlinear effects from an optical fiber to surpass peak electric-field limitations from an ultrafast optical source. After the compact device is attached to the output of a pulsed laser source, only minor adjustments are needed to increase the peak electric field by a factor of more than two. The pulse exiting the device contains more frequency content than the optical source and has a shorter pulse duration, which allows for significant broadening of the bandwidth of output terahertz radiation. The pulse compressor and peak-field booster features tunable pulse-width compression and spectral bandwidth expansion. Applications include use in terahertz generation and detection, optical microscopy, and nonlinear optics. OZ Optics Ltd, 219 Westbrook Rd, Ottawa, ON K0A 1L0, Canada, www.ozoptics.com

The compact model FQCW266-10-C CW laser from Crystal Laser Systems delivers 10 mW of output power at a wavelength of 266 nm, linewidth less than 300 kHz, and coherence length greater than 1000 m. Based on a patented design, the diode-pumped, frequency-quadrupled laser is a self-contained, conduction-cooled, sealed plug-and-play device. Its control unit can be operated either directly via push button or remotely via serial RS232 or USB interface. According to the company, the FQCW266-10-C is low noise, highly reliable, and very stable. Applications include use in photoluminescence, UV Raman spectroscopy, laser-induced fluorescence, optics testing, and metrology. Crystal Laser Systems GmbH, Ostendstrasse 25, 12459 Berlin, Germany, www.crylas.de

Andor Technology, an Oxford Instruments company, has added a new model, the Sona 4.2B-6, to its Sona back-illuminated microscopy camera series. The series’ high sensitivity allows for an optimized signal-to-noise ratio under reduced illumination, low fluorophore concentrations, and decreased exposure times. It accurately preserves the biology of living cells during extended measurement periods. According to the company, the Sona 4.2B-6 balances sensitivity with speed and resolution to achieve up to 74 fps for full-range 16-bit images. When combined with the commonly used 60× and 40× objective lens magnifications, the Sona’s 4.2 MP sensor format with a 6.5 µm pixel size obtains maximum resolution. A low-noise mode uses correlated multisampling to improve image detail while maintaining frame rates and low exposure times. Applications include Förster resonance energy transfer, ion signaling, and localization-based superresolution. Andor Technology Ltd, Springvale Business Park, 7 Millennium Way, Belfast BT12 7AL, UK, https://andor.oxinst.com

HERA, a compact hyperspectral camera from Nireos, can create a hyperspectral data cube by capturing in a few seconds a continuous spectrum, in the 400–1000 nm region, of each image pixel. Based on a patented Fourier-transform technology, HERA uses an ultrastable interferometer with a 1 cm clear aperture. It dispenses with filters and gratings, which typically limit the light throughput. With less than 1 nm resolution at 400 nm wavelength, HERA can accurately characterize all types of materials in the visible region. The camera’s software allows users to capture an image more quickly, although spectral resolution may be diminished. HERA is suitable for use in fluorescence imaging, cultural heritage conservation, and other low-light applications; onsite material sorting; and plant analysis. Nireos SRL, Via Giovanni Durando, 39, 20158 Milan, Italy, www.nireos.com