MLC 400 Monolithic Laser Combiner

Laser-Based Illumination System For Microscopy/Cell Biology

Overview

The Keysight Technologies, Inc. MLC400 monolithic laser combiner is designed for fluorescence and confocal microscopy research applications. It offers a reliable light source at multiple wavelengths, with minimal downtime for maintenance and alignment because the system leaves the factory aligned, and it stays that way. The result is a laser-based illumination system for cell biology that is stable, reliable and easy-to-use.

With stable illumination the imaging time is extended and photobleaching is slowed because cell exposure to light is minimized. Independent on/off control of each laser extends laser lifetime. An acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) provides fast switching between different combinations of wavelengths and powers. And, the MLC400 is upgradeable allowing users to add laser lines as their research needs changer.

Stable, reliable and easy-to-use

Environmental changes that commonly occur in laboratories, such as temperature, air flow, and benchtop vibration, are no longer an issue with the MLC400. The beamcombining optics and beam-steering optics in the MLC400 are fully integrated with the beam delivery architecture resulting in an instrument that reliably delivers stable power day-after-day without realignment. The MLC400’s compact design comes in a small benchtop footprint making it suitable in laboratory situations where space is often at a premium.

Multiple beam-combining optics are assembled into a single optical structure

using Keysight’s proprietary complex monolithic optic (CMO) technology that allows them to be permanently aligned before they leave the factory. The CMO design reduces the number of exposed beam-combination surfaces that are subject to contamination and require cleaning in the lab. A proprietary fixed mounting system keeps the beam-steering optics permanently aligned and the beam is delivered to the microscope by a single-mode, polarization-maintaining fiber-coupled delivery system.

Microprocessor controller

The MLC400 incorporates a microcontroller that communicates with the AOTF controller and can be used to drive external devices that include a wide array of imaging hardware. Instructional packets that contain a user defined command sequence can be created in the imaging software and then downloaded directly to the microcontroller.

The MLC400 can be enabled to respond to incoming trigger signals with a predetermined sequence of laser line outputs and output signals that can be directed to specific hardware devices. By bypassing the host computer the image acquisition rate can be increased and overall cycle time can be reduced.

Four 0-10V 16-bit analog outputs and one camera sync input are incorporated on the rear panel of the MLC400 enabling high-speed synchronization for fast image acquisition.

Optical systems solutions from Keysight Technologies

Keysight offers optical component and assembly solutions for the discriminating researcher. Four decades of experience with hundreds of designs and thousands of shipments, coupled with comprehensive testing and support ensure the utmost in precision and reliability under real-world conditions.