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Adapt your existing lab stereo microscopes for fluorescence
The NIGHTSEA Stereo Microscope Fluorescence Adapter adapts just about any stereo microscope (dissecting microscope) for fluorescence with no modification to the microscope itself. The modular design lets you easily switch between several different excitation/emission combinations to work with a variety of fluorescent proteins and other fluorophores. There are now six different excitation/emission combinations available, plus white light.
This simple system is excellent for
The light head, barrier filter, and filter shield are interchangeable so that you can easily switch between excitation/emission light+filter combinations.
The microscope mounting adapter fits up to 67mm to work with the majority of stereo microscopes. An oversize adapter and an adapter for the Leica EZ4 series are also available.
Once you are set up for one excitation/ emission wavelength combination, additional combinations can be added by purchasing a kit that consists of a light head, barrier filter, and viewing shield. These three elements can be removed and replaced in seconds, and color coding ensures that you are using the right combination. The barrier filter clicks on to the ring adapter magnetically, so it is easy to remove it to switch back to white light viewing.
For more in-depth information on excitations, see this Technical Data Sheet
Designation | Excitation | Emission | Fluorophores |
UV – Ultra Violet | 360-380nm | 415nm LP | DAPI, ... |
VI – Violet | 400-415nm | 450nm LP | CFP, ... |
RB – Royal Blue | 440-460nm | 500nm LP | GFP, eGFP, fluorescein... |
RB-GO – Green Only | 440-460nm | 500-560nm BP | GFP, eGFP, fluorescein... |
CY – Cyan | 490-515nm | 550nm LP | YFP, Venus, Lucifer Yellow... |
GR – Green | 510-540nm | 600nm LP | DsRed, dTomato... |
The Green-Only (GO) Barrier Filter isolates the green part of the spectrum and is for use with the Royal Blue excitation source. While our other barrier filters are longpass filters this filter is a bandpass, transmitting from approximately 500 to 560nm. The longpass filter has served well for most users who need to visualize green-fluorescent protein (GFP), and if you are exploring fluorescence in nature it is preferable. The primary motivation for adding the green-only filter to the line-up was for the benefit of researchers using GFP in plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana, a common research model. Plants contain chlorophyll, which has a distinctive red fluorescence that can sometimes mask the GFP emission, making it harder to see and photograph.
Microscope Mounting Adapter - standard size fits up to 67mm. Also available for oversize (up to 84mm) and Leica EZ4 Series.
The SFA lamp base is available in three versions: Standard, DIM, and PULSE. Standard lamp bases have a simple OFF/ON operation. DIM lamp bases feature an OFF/ON/DIM switch to change the intensity of the light. PULSE lamp bases incorporate a BNC connector that accepts a voltage signal to control the excitation source ON/OFF.
Only one control option is available per base. The DIM and PULSE options can be purchased as a part of a new system, as a retrofit to an existing base, or in a stand-alone lamp base purchased a la carte.
The DIM option adds a combined switch and dimmer control. When you first turn the unit on it is at full power. As you rotate the switch the intensity decreases, reaching about 30% power at the minimum setting. You have finer control in the brighter portion of the adjustment range. An intensity indicator (1-10) makes it easy to record and repeat preferred settings.
The PULSE option adds a BNC connector on the rear of the base that accepts a user-supplied voltage input to turn the light on and off. Some possible applications are
Fluorescence for Education and Outreach
Frequently Asked Questions
Instruction Manual (PDF)
Mazel, C., 2013. Adding Fluorescence to Stereo Microscopes. Microscopy Today, 21(5): 12-17. (PDF)
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