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| FluarQuant Photometry System |
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The FluarQuant package is a simple and easy-to-use photometry package built with LabView. FluarQuant allows the user to set up complex real-time experiments where fluorescently labeled cells can be excited at any wavelength, and the quantity and intensity of the emitted photons measured via a sensitive Photomultiplier Tube (PMT) or Photodiode.
The FluarQuant package can also be integrated with one of ASI's automated XY stages and µ-Inspector microscope to provide a fully automated microwell screening system for micro arrays, as well as 96, 312, or 1024 microwell plates.
Preselect
detection area for precise measurements |
Low level light detection,
High speed acquisition |
Quantify fluorescence |
The complete FluarQuant package is comprised of the following components:
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A high-speed scanning monochromator for fluorescent excitation. |
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A sensitive photomultiplier tube (PMT) for fluorescence detection and quantification. |
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A Viewfinder device for precisely preselecting the exposure area for the PMT. |
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A high-speed D/A & A/D board mounted into a Pentium Windows-based computer that controls the monochromator and accepts analog data input. |
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The easy-to-use FluarQuant software running under LabView. |
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Polychrome™ V Monochromator Specifications
| Output Range |
320 nm to 680 nm |
| Output Power |
10 - 15 mW at object field |
| Output Bandwidth |
15 nm typical (optional motorized slits can reduce standard bandwidth down to 1 nm) |
| Light Homogeneity |
Uniform within 5% throughout the object field when properly adjusted for 'critical' illumination |
| Response Time |
About one millisecond to jump to any wavelength between 320 nm and 680 nm |
| Flexibility |
Coupling to practically any microscope via a 1.25mm x 1.8m solid quartz fiber (0.25na) and specially designed epi-fluorescence condensers that insure optimal light throughput |
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Photomultiplier Features
- High Sensitivity
- Manual or externally programmable PMT Gain
- Automatic overexposure shutdown
- Wide Dynamic Range
- C-mount fits most camera ports
Photomultiplier Specifications
| Sensor |
Hamamatsu H5784-03 |
| Bandwidth |
DC to 20kHz |
| Spectral Response |
185 to 650 nm |
| Sensitivity (at 420nm) |
21 V/nW typical |
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ViewFinder Specifications
The Viewfinder assembly provides for a convenient means of selecting and viewing and an adjustable rectangular spot of exposure for the photomultiplier tube. The unit consists of four manual adjustment knobs for adjusting the spot size, and a video camera for viewing the exposed area on a video monitor. 50% red light reaches the CCD - 80% IR light reaches the CCD - 95% fluorescence light reaches the fluorescence detector.
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FluarQuant Software Features
- Acquire the analog data from the PMT at a rate of 10Khz (0.1 ms). This is system dependent; actual acquisition speeds will vary from system to system depending upon the speed and configuration of the computer being used.
- Operate under the Windows® operating system: NT, 98, or 2000.
- Display raw data or ratios in real time.
- Utilize the high speed monochromator to provide an excitation wavelength from 330 to 680 nm to work with any fluorescence probe.
- Synchronize the data acquisition with electrophysiology packages or other devices via TTL pulses.
- Transfer data to any software package via standard tab-delimited or Excel files.
- Modules are available to control ASI's line of precision automated stages and µ-Inspector video microscopes to provide a complete system for rapidly screening micro arrays, micro wells, and any other area of fluorescence detection and quantification.
- FluarQuant software is now offered free to anyone who buys any ASI hardware. The source code (National Instruments LabVIEW VI's) will be provided if the user wants to customize the software. However, ASI no longer supports this product and it is offered 'as is', without warranty.
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