For fluorescence microscopy, Excelitas Technologies Corp of Waltham, MA, USA (which provides customized photonic solutions to OEMs) has added to its X-Cite product line by launching the X-Cite XYLIS light source, which offers a broad-spectrum output spanning 360-750nm for exciting an extended range of fluorophores, with the advantages and simplicity of using LEDs.
X-Cite XYLIS provides enhanced LED coverage from one end of the light spectrum to the other, closely matching the output of a mercury arc lamp while eliminating any need for bulb replacement. With a 365nm spectral peak, it fits with the narrow DAPI filter sets that are standard in research microscopes. At the opposite end of the spectrum, it provides 735nm excitation for Cy7 (a wavelength that is not available in any other broadband LED light source at comparable prices, it is claimed).
Incorporating Excelitas’ patented LaserLED Hybrid Drive technology, X-Cite XYLIS enables researchers to overcome the LED ‘green gap’ (the 540-590nm region of the spectrum where LED-only systems are significantly challenged). The technology utilizes high-efficiency lasers to excite a phosphor layer, generating a broad peak from 500nm to 600nm which can then be filtered to a more specific excitation band depending on the fluorophore of interest. LaserLED Hybrid Drive is also said to be more efficient and provides higher output than other technologies, such as luminescent rod technology, and allows the X-Cite XYLIS to be a quieter system than its predecessor, X-Cite Fire.
XYLIS power levels for TRITC, Cy5 and Cy7 excitation are equivalent to the power of arc lamps. It is suitable for a wide range of uses, from routine imaging to demanding high-speed applications. Designed for use with liquid light guides, X-Cite XYLIS is compatible with modern light-guide-only microscope designs and can also be combined with X-Cite microscope adaptors to replace traditional lamp houses. XYLIS makes it possible to switch from mercury lamps to environmentally friendly LEDs without compromising on price or performance.
“XYLIS provides the rich, broad spectrum and brightness of an arc lamp system,” says Mike Kay, director of product management, Biomedical Lighting, at Excelitas. “We found the LaserLED Hybrid Drive to be more efficient and quieter than other technology options,” he adds.
Excelitas says that X-Cite XYLIS offers the same intuitive manual operation as other X-Cite products, with speedDIAL or foot pedal, USB and TTL control options. It is compatible with the standard X-Cite command set for seamless integration with existing X-Cite 120LED software drivers.
X-Cite XYLIS is being displayed for the first time in booth #1008 at Experimental Biology 2018 in San Diego, CA, USA (22–24 April).
