HIGH-EFFICIENCY TUNABLE FLUORESCENCE EMISSION FILTER

CRI基于电调谐液体开发的可调谐滤波器 晶体波片，为荧光显微镜工作者提供快速， 连续可调，自动选择发射波长， 振动、图像偏移或图像质量下降。 光谱 荧光发射分析以及多个标记和比率 成像实验，可以快速和交互式地进行。 然而，目前的液晶可调谐滤波器（LCTF）提供相当低的 通量（10至25%）限制了它们在光子受限的 荧光应用。 我们的目标是在这项工作中，开发一种新型的液晶可调 过滤器，透射率为70%或更高。 第一阶段的结果表明， 该装置是可行的。在第二阶段，将建造原型， 实地测试。 工作将包括开发一种方便的光学 /机械接口和交互式软件。 拟议的商业应用：该设备将使更快， 活体荧光发射的自动多光谱测量 无振动的细胞显微镜。 这些设备的第一个市场 将是参与荧光实验的研究实验室。最后， 随着临床技术的发展，使用该设备的能力，我们 希望它能在自动化临床诊断测试中得到应用。

Tunable filters developed at CRI, based on electrically-tuned liquid crystal waveplates, provide fluorescence microscopists with fast, continuously tunable, automated selection of emission wavelength without vibration, image shift, or degradation of image quality. Spectroscopic analysis of fluorescence emission, as well as multiple label and ratio imaging experiments, can be performed rapidly and interactively. However, present liquid crystal tunable filters (LCTF's) offer rather low throughput (10 to 25%) limiting their usefulness in photon-limited fluorescence applications. Our aim in this work is to develop a new type of liquid crystal tunable filter, with transmission of 70% or more. Phase I results indicate that the device is feasible. During Phase II, prototypes will be built and field tested. Work will include the development of a convenient optical / mechanical interface and interactive software. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: This device would make possible faster, automated multi-spectral measurements of fluorescence emission in living cell microscopy without vibration. The first market for these devices will be research labs involved in fluorescence experiments. Eventually, as clinical techniques-develop using the capabilities of this device, we expect it to find applications in automated clinical diagnostic testing.