With the Colibri LED array, Carl Zeiss MicroImaging says it is introducing a new light source which offers fluorescence users in biomedical research and routine laboratory work a number of benefits
Instead of a white light source, Colibri usues high performance LEDs (light emitting diodes) whose specific properties can also be exploited for fluorescence applications.
The result is extremely high contrast images with an excellent signal-to-noise ratio, which is particularly significant for the detection of weak signals and fine details.
The intensity of the narrow-band LEDs, which can be quickly and accurately set for any wavelength, can be exactly adapted to the specimen to ensure its maximum protection.
It is possible to switch between the different wavelengths at extremely high speed.
As the switching procedure is purely opto-electronic, there is no motion or vibrations which could, for example, impair image capture in time series.
The LEDs turn electricity very efficiently into light.
The resulting minimisation of heat build-up results in more stable conditions during experiments.
This makes Colibri ideal for working with sensitive living specimens, ie, in live cell imaging, but also offers numerous enhancements for fluorescence microscopy with fixated specimens.
High economic efficiency is guaranteed by the exceptionally long life time of the LEDs.
The excellent reproducibility of the illumination conditions is particularly important in the field of medical diagnostics where documentation is made in accordance with GxP guidelines.
The LEDs can be used on an individual, sequential basis or simultaneously with any setting, which is particularly helpful in the search for cells with certain combinations of fluorescence markers.
Due to its modular design, Colibri offers high flexibility and future-proofness: ten different wavelengths from UV to dark red are currently available.
The LED modules and beam combiners can be easily changed by the user.
Further developments of the rapidly developing LED technology, eg, new wavelengths or higher emissions, can therefore be implemented quickly and without complications.
The LED modules are equipped with ACR (automatic component recognition) and automatically signal at the correct positions, ruling out the possibility of incorrect operation.
A motorised switching capability to a white fibre-optically coupled white light source is integrated to add flexibility.
Colibri can be operated as a stand-alone unit on upright and inverted, manual and motorised microscopes, but can also be controlled with the basic version of the AxioVision software without additional cost.
Colibri unfolds its full performance potential in the Cell Observer HS high speed environment, in which maximum speed is guaranteed through direct TTL control.
