LED Illuminator for Microscope

How to choose the best LED illuminator for microscope systems

LED illuminators for microscope systems come in all shapes and sizes. LED technology itself has been around for many years, and simple LEDs are easily available. However, technology for modern stereo and compound microscopy demands sophisticated technology for both fluorescence and transmitted light. Modern LED illuminators for microscope systems are powerful, stable and include a range of control features to enhance image and data quality. Read on to find out more about how these features can advance research and clinical microscopy.

About CoolLED

We design and manufacture cutting edge LED illuminators for microscopes using the latest LED technology. Our fast-growing company is based in Hampshire, UK, and we offer a vast product range and technical expertise spanning optical engineering and the life sciences. We have led the way in transforming light source technology since our team of four introduced the first commercially available LED illuminator in 2006. From boosting contrast and minimising phototoxicity to capturing high-speed events, we design LED illuminators for microscopes to support researchers and clinicians in uncovering new insights and making breakthrough discoveries.

We also understand that something out of the ordinary is sometimes required, and manufacturers wishing to gain a competitive advantage can now access our world-renowned LED technology in customised configurations at www.OEMIllumination.com.

Comparing LED illuminators for microscopes

A wide range of LED illuminators for microscope systems exist, both for widefield fluorescence microscopy and transmitted light applications. Each include a variety of different features suited for individual user requirements, which range from wavelengths and channels, control functionality, light delivery and optical filter configurations. With more and more LED illuminators for microscopes appearing on the market, it can sometimes be confusing to understand which system is most suitable.

To help compare product specifications and find the ideal system for your needs, we have created a quick comparison chart for fluorescence microscopy, transmitted light and Fura-2 imaging.

LED illuminators for microscopes: the benefits of control

LED illuminators for microscopes overcome many of the problems associated with mercury and metal halide lamps, including the repeated exchange of bulbs and subsequent alignment. They are instead simple to fit, have instant on/off control, and stable and homogenous illumination which they retain over a long lifetime. But the simplicity and performance advantages are where LED illuminators for microscopes come into their own, significantly outcompeting traditional mercury-based systems.

This is due to the solid-state nature of LED illuminators for microscopes, which has had more impact on acquiring the perfect image than we could ever have imagined. LED illuminators for microscopes can be switched on and off with precise microsecond timing, which removes the need for a mechanical shutter and improves the temporal resolution of experiments for capturing high-speed events.

USB control and software integration allows the LED illuminator to be seamlessly controlled via imaging software for convenience and speed. Taking speed one step further is TTL control, where the LED illuminator is triggered by a TTL-out on a device such as a scientific camera. Such high-speed synchronisation enables the highest temporal resolution, while also vastly minimising phototoxicity and photobleaching.

For basic fluorescence imaging applications, a white light source such as the pE-300^lite is the most cost-effective option. Precise irradiance control in 1% steps (0-100%) allows the irradiance to be optimally matched to the experiment, balancing brightness while protecting against photobleaching and phototoxicity, without the need for ND filters.

However, individual channel control has many benefits as with a broad spectrum of “white” light, the majority of this is unwanted and must be removed using optical filters. Many LED illuminators for microscopes such as the pE-300^white and pE-300^ultra are available which allow individual wavelengths to be controlled independently. In this way, the LED illuminator can be set to illuminate only the desired wavelength peaks matching a particular fluorophore’s excitation spectrum, increasing the signal to noise ratio and improving image contrast. This can be further enhanced with excitation filters, and the pE-300^ultra allows inline excitation filters. This is ideal for high-speed imaging applications, replacing the latency and expense of a filter wheel.

LED illuminators for microscopes: a choice of light delivery

For many of our CoolLED illuminators, direct fit models are available. These increase irradiance, avoiding light loss through the liquid light guide. They also reduce cost of ownership by removing the need for ongoing replacement of the liquid light guide.

For certain applications, such as electrophysiology rigs where components such as LED illuminators for microscope systems must be kept outside of the Faraday cage, CoolLED LED illuminators are available as liquid light guide variants. Fibre-coupled variants are also available for applications such as optogenetics.

With modern LED illuminators for microscope systems, the industry is continually looking at better ways to deliver light to the sample plane. For example, our 33E adaptor allows CoolLED LED illuminators to connect directly to the Infinity Port of the Leica DMi8 microscope, increasing irradiance while reducing cost.