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Leica Microsystems develop and manufacture a range of microscopes and scientific instruments for microstructure and nanostructure analysis. Delta Optical Thin Film has developed a range of optical filters for Leica Microsystems, for use in their SP8 DIVE Deep In Vivo Explorer.

SP8 DIVE Deep In Vivo Explorer

The SP8 DIVE Deep In Vivo Explorer is the first spectrally tunable solution for multicolour, multiphoton imaging. The instrument is equipped with 4Tune, which is a tunable, non-descanned detection system. This provides the users with flexibility and the opportunity to develop innovative multicolour deep in vivo experiments.

The 4Tune detector can be equipped with 2–4 detection units and it can be configured with hybrid detectors and photomultipliers. It uses a combination of continuously variable dichroic beam splitters and continuously variable edge filters to separate the emission light. These optical filters have now been developed by Delta Optical Thin Film to help further improve the capabilities of the SP8 DIVE Deep In Vivo Explorer.

Optical Filters from Delta Optical Thin Film

Delta Optical Thin Film has utilized over 50 years of experience to develop a range of optical filters for Leica Microsystems to use in the SP8 DIVE. The range created for Leica Microsystems includes Continuously Variable Short Wave Pass, Continuously Variable Long Wave Pass Filters, and a Continuously Variable Dichroic Beamsplitter.

A continuously variable filter is a wedged filter that has spectral properties that vary continuously along one dimension of the filter. Just one of these filters can be used as an alternative to several fixed filters in an instrument, and the center or edge wavelength can be adjusted by sliding the optical filter.

All continuously variable filters from Delta Optical Thin Film are coated with ultra-hard surface coatings, which are produced with an advanced plasma process that builds layer with a much higher packing density than traditional hard coatings.

The combination of continuously variable long wave pass filters (CVLWP) and continuously variable short wave pass filters (CVSWP) enables the construction of bandpass filters, which can be tuned continuously between 380 nm and 800 nm. These filters also have the advantage of tunable bandwidth.

These optical filters set new standards in edge steepness and transmission level, and also provide improved blocking. Coated on a single fused silica substrate, these optical filters exhibit minimal auto-fluorescence and a high threshold to laser damage.

Delta Optical Thin Film is one of the very few companies that produce low-bending dichroic beamsplitters, like the one utilized by Leica Microsystems. The continuously variable dichroic beamsplitters have a wide transmission band, wide reflection band, and high edge steepness.