FS5 System Upgrades

FS5 – MCS The instrument has all the features of the standard FS5, plus the capability to measure sample decays with lifetimes of over one microsecond (phosphorescence, lanthanide decays). The changeover between the standard continuous xenon light source and the pulsed xenon flash lamp is software controlled and the acquisition mode automatically changes from standard photon counting to time resolved photon counting. The software incorporates fitting and reconvolution analysis for lifetime evaluation. The instrumental response function (IRF) of this instrument is 2 microseconds. Lifetimes from <10 μs to >10 s can be accurately measured.

FS5 – TCSPC The instrument has all the features of the standard FS5, plus the capability of fluorescence lifetime measurements in the picosecond, nanosecond and the lower microsecond (<50 μs) time range. The FS5-TCSPC version requires picosecond pulsed diode lasers and LEDs for excitation, which are simply attached to the FS5-TCSPC housing and are compatible to all sample holder options. The software is fully compatible with all measurement options and offers numerical reconvolution and curve fitting. Note that the picosecond diode lasers (EPL series) and the picosecond pulsed LEDs (EPLED series) come with different output wavelengths. More than one of these picosecond pulsed light sources may be required to cover your range of applications. TCSPC lifetime measurements with the standard FS5 detector will have an instrumental response function (IRF) of approximately 800 ps (FS5-TCSPC), enabling <100 ps lifetimes to be resolved. The exact value depends on which EPL or EPLED model is used. For challenging applications the IRF can be improved by fitting a SECOND, faster detector (FS5-TCSPC+). Using an EPL as an excitation source in this configuration will result in an IRF of <200 ps, enabling approximately 25 ps lifetimes to be resolved (depending on the source used).

FS5 – NIR This is a unique upgrade route that is only available to the FS5. The FS5-NIR has a SECOND detector fitted to expand the operating spectral range without sacrificing the performance of the standard instrument. There are two NIR versions available: FS5-NIR is fitted with an extra-cooled side window PMT and selected grating for sensitivity up to 1010 nm; FS5-NIR+ is fitted with a TE cooled NIR-PMT and NIR-grating for sensitivity up to 1650 nm. Both options are based on single-photon counting electronics for maximum sensitivity and compatibility with any of the lifetime options, should they be added.

FS5 – POL This upgrade comprises the standard FS5 with fully computerised polarisers in both excitation and emission arms. The polarisers enable polarised fluorescence and fluorescence anisotropy studies. Automated measurements and generation of anisotropy curves, both raw and G-factor corrected, are supported by the software. If combined with the TCSPC option, time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy measurements and analysis will also be possible. FS5-POL uses Calcite polarising prisms with an operational range of 240 nm – 2300 nm for both excitation and emission. This ensures compatibility with the NIR options FS5-NIR and FS5-NIR+.

We have measurement modules available for practically all applications. These can be purchased at any time and can be easily installed by the user. The installation takes no more than a few seconds. The Fluoracle software automatically recognises which of the measurement modules is in use. This reduces the complexity in the user interface and ensures ease of operation.

Sample Cassettes (SC) available include:

SC-05: Standard Cuvette Holder

SC-10: Solid Sample Holder (upright/tilted sample)

SC-15: Solid Sample Holder (horizontal sample)

SC-20: Thermostatic Sample Holder (water bath regulation)

SC-25: TE-Cooled Sample Holder (-40°C to +105°C)

SC-26: TE-Cooled Sample Holder (-50°C to +150°C)

SC-27: 4-position TE-Cooled Sample Holder (-40°C to +105°C)

SC-28: Heated Sample Holder for Powders (up to 300°C)

SC-30: Integrating Sphere

SC-41: 384 Micro-well Plate Reader

SC-50: Optical Fibre Launcher (liquid light guides, SMA, FC)

SC-60: Calibration Kit

SC-70: Liquid Nitrogen EPR Dewar

SC-80: Liquid Nitrogen Cryostat

Contact us directly to customise your sample cassette

The MicroPL upgrade allows spectral and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements of samples in the microscopic scale. The FS5 is upgraded with a microscope so you can finely tune both the excitation light (illumination) and the detected emission, using widefield or point excitation.

The microscope can be supplied as either an upright and inverted microscopes. Imaging cameras are available spanning the spectrum from the visible to the near-infrared, up to 1700 nm. Excitation can be provided by halogen lamps (wide field excitation), picosecond pulsed diode lasers (EPL Series, HPL Series) and pulsed LEDs (EPLED Series), supercontinuum sources and Nd:YAG lasers (lasers and semiconductor sources provide point source illumination). Steady state emission spectra and fluorescence lifetime measurements can be obtained from specific spots on your sample, when using appropriate lasers. Lasers can achieve a spot size of ~2 μm (objective dependent).

The optional FLIM add-on includes a computer-controlled XYZ stage and unlocks special features in the Fluoracle software including advanced analysis options for maps, such as multi-component decay fitting algorithms.

Download the MicroPL Datasheet.

The standard Fluoracle software package can be upgraded to include the FAST software package. This is used for advanced fluorescence lifetime analysis and includes features such as lifetime distribution analysis and exponential components analysis. Please click on the link to learn more about FAST software or contact us directly.