The Optoscan monochromator from Cairn Research is the only instrument of its type to offer control of both centre-wavelength and bandwidth with millisecond time resolution. Combined with Cairn signal processing modules and optical hardware it forms the heart of a powerful and flexible microfluorescence system. Alternatively it can be readily integrated into commercial imaging systems, or custom controlled for bespoke applications.
This instrument has been designed specifically with real-time biological fluorescence measurements in mind, but has evolved into a truly versatile laboratory tool. If your application requires fast, flexible and automated illumination control then the Cairn Optoscan may well be the instrument of choice.
Other commercial monochromators include the facility to change bandwidth between experiments using a manual control. This is sufficient for many purposes, but is not ideal for complex protocols especially those involving multiple fluorescence markers. Only by controlling bandwidth in real-time during experiments can each excitation wavelength be optimised independently. This means that where Stoke's shifts are large or where fluorescence intensities are weak then a relatively large bandwidth can be selected to maximise signal-to-noise. Conversely if there is a small Stoke's shift or if the fluorescence intensity is high then the slit width can be minimised to reduce bleed through and optimise dynamic range.
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The Optoscan monochromator can be configured with a range of different input and output
couplings, but is typically combined with a Cairn
Optosource light source, and a fibre-optic output for interfacing with an epifluorescence
microscope.
The main options regarding the monochromator itself are the choice of diffraction grating, and of how the bandwidth control is implemented. The standard Optoscan is fitted with a grating optimised for 320nm – 550nm, and switching times in the region of 1 msec, but gratings optimised for different wavelengths, or for ultra-high speed switching are available on request.
It is our view that bandwidth control is best achieved by automating both input and exit slits of the monochromator. For less demanding applications, or where funds are tight, we can also offer models with manual control of the input slit or of both input and exit slits. The version with manual input and automated output slit allows some tuning of bandwidth and intensity in real-time and is a powerful lower budget alternative to the fully automatic version. The manual bandwidth model is less flexible for multi-wavelength protocols, but is still more powerful than most competing products. The following standard models are most commonly supplied:
| Product Code |
Product Description |
| P130/ELE/450 |
Optoscan monochromator with full rapid galvo grating and slit width (450nm ruled grating) |
| P130/EHE/200 |
Optoscan monochromator with full rapid galvo grating and slit width (2000 lpmm holographic grating) |
| P130/MLE/450 |
Optoscan monochromator with rapid galvo grating and exit slit; manual input slit (450nm ruled grating) |
| P130/MHE/200 |
Optoscan monochromator with rapid galvo grating and exit slit; manual input slit (2000lpmm holographic grating) |
| P130/MLM/450 |
Optoscan monochromator with rapid galvo grating and manual slit width (450nm ruled grating) |
| P130/MHM/200 |
Optoscan monochromator with rapid galvo grating and manual slit width (2000lpmm holographic grating) |
Flexibility has always paramount in the design of Cairn equipment and the monochromator is no exception. The Optoscan can be used as either a standalone unit, or in conjunction with Cairn or third-party photometry and imaging software. Drivers are available for a range of commercial software platforms and a dynamic link library (DLL) is provided for seamless integration into any currently unsupported environments. In addition to this a TTL digital interface is provided so that the Optoscan can be controlled by a customer's own software without the need to write drivers; or sychronised directly to digital cameras if fast precise timing is important. The following control options are available for the Optoscan:
Power supply with USB and TTL digital interface
| Product Code |
Product Description |
| P315/USB/000 |
Power supply and USB interface for Optoscan monochromator |
Power supply with Digital-to-Analog-Converter (DAC) computer card
| Product Code |
Product Description |
| P315/DAC/000 |
Power supply and DAC interface for Optoscan monochromator |
| P320/DRI/000 |
DAC card, drivers and cable for third party Optoscan control |
Microprocessor controller for integration into our photomultiplier photometry system
These racks are available in a range of sizes depending on how many amplifiers and other modules are required and can be supplied with an optional front panel key pad and display, or for computer control only.
| Product Code |
Product Description |
| P300/Sxx/001 |
Double-height photometry rack with Optoscan control, keypad and display |
| P305/Sxx/001 |
Single-height photometry rack with Optoscan control, keypad and display |
| P310/Sxx/001 |
Standalone Optoscan monochromator controller (with keypad & display) |
Power supply only for using the Optoscan with a customer's own DAC solution
| Product Code |
Product Description |
| P315/000/000 |
Power supply for Optoscan monochromator |
