Lambda 10-2 Optical Filter Changer

Lambda 10-2 Optical Filter Changer

Lambda 10-2 OPTICAL FILTER CHANGER

The Lambda 10-2 is a microprocessor controlled, high speed filter wheel. Its impressive speed coupled with exceptionally smooth operation make the Lambda 10-2 ideal for research applications involving fluorescence microscopy, ratio imaging, spectrophotometry, visual physiology, or any application requiring rapid and accurate aperture positioning.

The Lambda 10-2 controller which has both serial and parallel interfaces will drive up to two filter wheels and two shutters. Each wheel can hold up to ten optical filters (25mm in diameter and up to 9mm thick ) which are easily loaded through an access port on the housing. Additional filters (e.g. heat and/or neutral density filters) may be inserted manually at two other locations in the optical path. The optical ports on both sides of the unit are internally threaded as C-mounts (32 threads per inch). When mounted in an upright position, the center of the optical port can be positioned from 11cm to 53cm above the mounting surface. Slide-in filter holders are optionally available for inverted configurations. A second wheel can be added to the system with no need for additional mechanical or electronic changes.

Eight user selectable speeds are provided. Filter to adjacent filter time can be set from 55 to 1200msec, depending on the number and the weight of the filters mounted in the wheel. Integral shutter drivers will open the optional shutter in 10msec.

The use of a direct drive stepper-motor with advanced microstepping technology and intelligent acceleration and deceleration algorithms assures the fastest possible moves for a given inertial load, while minimizing vibrations. The controller also has an error detection and correction circuit in the event that a position error occurs.

The controller system is designed around three embedded controllers; one slave for each wheel and a master for control and communication. The embedded controllers automatically detect the equipment installed and the source of the external commands, so there are no jumper wires or switches to set.

The Lambda 10-2 consists of a 10-position filter wheel, a rack mountable controller, a support base and mounting rods, a controller/filter wheel interface cable, parallel and serial interface cables, two drop-in filter holders, spanner wrench, and manual. Microscope adapters for most Nikon, Olympus, Zeiss, and Leica scopes can be purchased separately.

For applications requiring absolute vibration isolation, and/or spatial uniformity independent of wavelength, an optional liquid light guide output is available for the Lambda 10-2 wheel. The two meter long guide mounts directly onto the output port of the wheel. Transmission through the guide is better than 70% from 375nm to 575nm. Adapters to connect the light guide to your microscope port are optionally available.

FEATURES

• 55msec between adjacent filters.

• Parallel and serial interfaces.

• Simultaneous control of two wheels.

• Dual integral shutter drivers. OPTIONS

• Additional wheel.

• Built-in shutter. 4 Dual wheels mounted in series.

• Slide-in filter holders.

• Microscope mounting adaptors.

• Table-top controller box.

• Liquid light guide.

OTHER MODELS

The Lambda 10-2/32, was designed to remedy the problem of vignetting that may occur with a 25mm filter format in certain microscope systems. The system features the same Lambda 10-2 controller but includes a ten position wheel that accommodates 32mm diameter filters, up to 9mm thick. The maximum filter to adjacent filter switching speed in this system is achieved in 60 msec. A shutter for the system is optionally available. A T-mount format is used for mounting the wheel onto your microscope. Contact Sutter Instrument for information on available T-mount adapters.

OEM wheels available

For OEM applications, the Lambda 10-2 can readily be modified to meet your specific requirements. By utilizing the 10-2 controller to drive customized wheels, we can provide an economical solution to your OEM design specification. To date we have made custom 2,3,4,5, 10 and 12 position wheels and have designed for 50mm, 32mm and 25mm filters. Our technical staff will be happy to discuss with you special application requirements.

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Specifications

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Ordering Information

Basic System

LB10-2 Includes one 25mm filter wheel without shutter, support base with mounting rods, rack mount 1 controller unit with wheel drive cable, parallel and serial interface cables for connection to PC, two drop-in filter holders, spanner wrench 10 blanking discs, power cord, and manual

LB10-2S Same as above with shutter assembly and two slide-in filter holders

32mm System

LB10-232 Same as LB10-2 except with 32mm filter wheel

LB10-232S Same as LB10-232 except with shutter

Dual Wheels in Series

DUAL This option permanently modifies a two wheeled Lambda 10-2 system to allow face to face mounting of the filter wheels in series. This modification must be made at the factory, and requires ordering a second filter wheel along with the basic Lambda 10- 2 system. No drop in filters can be used in this configuration, but one slide in filter can be used if the second wheel is ordered with a shutter

ACCESSORIES

LB10-W Additional 25mm filter wheel without shutter

LB10-WS Additional 25mm filter wheel with shutter

LB10-W32 32mm filter wheel without shutter

LB10-W32S 32mm filter wheel with shutter

SLIDE-IN2 Slide-in filter holder for 25mm wheel

DROP-IN3 Drop-in filter holder for 25mm wheel

LLG Liquid light guide

Mounting Adapters for Nikon, Zeiss, Leica and Olympus microscopes are available. Please call Sutter Instrument for pricing and further information. Also, please see the adapter list at the end of this section.

UPGRADE

SHUTTER Adds a shutter to an unshuttered 25mm filter wheel

1. Tabletop controller box available on request.
2. Slide-in filter holders are for use with Lambda 10-2 with shutter.
3. Drop-in filter holders are for use with Lambda 10-2 without shutter.

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Site by Rob Jones.
Copyright © 1999 Linton Instrumentation  . All rights reserved.
Revised: October 30, 2002 .