Conventional fluorescence-based bio-instrumentation equipment typically uses multiple individual lasers combined through optical elements into one beam or an optical fiber. The systems can become bulky, costly to manufacture, and challenging to keep aligned. An extremely compact, permanently aligned, and service-free multi-line laser device can reduce the size and cost of these systems for fluorescence-based research. Removing the complexity of integrating individual lasers with a multi-line solution makes the techniques more cost-efficient, user-friendly, and accessible for all levels of researchers. Here we demonstrate how multi-line lasers are integrated into fluorescence-based instrumentation to simplify experiments without compromising the quality of the results. Integrated electronics, software interfacing, and individual control of each laser-line allow for full flexibility to tailor the laser for the exact experimental needs. Applications include fluorescence microscopy (SIM, TIRF, STED), confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and combined techniques in research laboratory environments. The Cobolt Skyra multi-line laser is an extremely compact laser device (14.4 cm x 7.0 cm x 3.8 cm) with up to 4 laser lines in one permanently aligned output beam. All optical elements are assembled onto one ultra-stable platform, using patented HTCure™ technology developed by Cobolt, with high precision and permanent alignment. In addition, the multi-line laser can be customized with any combination of more than 14 colors, ranging from 405nm to 660nm, as well as fiber coupling.

Date Published: 22 February 2019
PDF: 6 pages
Proc. SPIE 10884, Single Molecule Spectroscopy and Superresolution Imaging XII, 1088411 (22 February 2019); doi: 10.1117/12.2510095

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 10884:
Single Molecule Spectroscopy and Superresolution Imaging XII
Zygmunt Karol Gryczynski; Ingo Gregor; Felix Koberling, Editor(s)