optical interference filters - SPOT Imaging Solutions

QuantaMAX and Standard Filters
for Fluorescence
Our fluorescence filter product line is comprised of Stock QuantaMAX and Standard Vivid and Basic
excitation, emission and dichroic interference filters, and filter sets.
For the visualization of fluorescence and imaging from deep UV absorbing compounds such as the aromatic amino acids Tyrosine
and Tryptophan, to near IR absorbing dyes such as Indocyanine Green (ICG) Omega Optical offers a variety of interference filters
and filter sets We have an impressive history of collaborating with researchers to identify filters that are uniquely compatible with
specific fluorophores, as well as filters that are effective for fluorophores in a particular experimental design and optical set-up.
These products are produced utilizing our multiple coating technologies, ion- assist, magnetron sputtering and physical vapor
deposition, to best match the filter specifications to the application.
QuantaMAX - Stock Interference Filters
QuantaMAX are individual excitation, emission and dichroic
filters and filter sets designed around the most commonly used
fluorophores used in fluorescence detection and imaging.
QuantaMAX (QMAX) filters are engineered and manufactured to
meet the increased demands required of today’s imaging systems.
Fluorophore Optimized:
Organic fluorophores, whether a small molecule such as a
cyanine dye, or a larger mass protein, such as e-GFP, absorb
and emit photons in a highly wavelength dependent manner. This
characteristic of a fluorescent compound can be illustrated by its
specific fluorescence spectral curve, which describes the relative
probabilities of the absorption and emission of photons across the
wavelength spectrum. Figure 1 shows the excitation and emission
curve for Cy5. This fluorophore is widely used in fluorescence
techniques and exhibits an excitation absorption maximum at
649nm and emission maximum at 670nm. The slight separation of
the two is called the Stokes shift and provides a spectral “window”
through which researchers can (through the use of the appropriate
interference filters) separate the incoming excitation light from the
emitted fluorescence.
deep out of band blocking are considerable, as generating high
image contrast at low excitation light levels is a desirable condition
in many protocols, particularly live cell imaging. The ability to place
the excitation and emission filter pair’s passbands very close to the
absorption and emission maximums of a particular fluorophore is a
critical feature for obtaining this contrast. A filter set’s critical edges
(the facing edges of the excitation and emission filters) are designed
with a slope of 1% or less to allow for the closest placement of the
two filters without sacrificing excitation light attenuation. (See figure
2 and 3)
QuantaMAX - Stock interference filter sets provide optimal pass
band placement to achieve efficient specific photon collection
while simultaneously rejecting stray light and minimizing spectral
bleed-through from spectrally close fluorophores.
Figure 2
Transmission curve of XF407 set for Cy5
(showing steep edge slope)
Figure 1
Excitation and Emission curves of Cy5
Given the small Stokes Shift of 20 nm or less of many of the typical
fluorophores used in fluorescence systems, the demands placed
on the filters to provide high transmission in the passband and
Substrate Specifications:
Each filter is produced on a single substrate which has been
polished to < 15 arc seconds or better. This allows for minimal
beam deviation and in most imaging systems leads to registrations
shifts of 1 pixel or less. Excitation and emission filter substrates
utilize a range of optical substrates which are optimized for low
light scatter and high transmission through the pass band region of
the filter. The use of certain high quality absorption glasses in the
For current product listings, specifications, and pricing:
www.omegafilters.com • sales@omegafilters.com
1.866.488.1064 (toll free within USA only) • +1.802.254.2690 (outside USA)
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