Thorlabs' SLS603 & SLS605 Xenon Arc Light Sources with Liquid Light Guides provide stable illumination from 380 to 780 nm. The emitted light is coupled into a liquid light guide (LLG), which homogenizes the transmitted bulb emission and produces a uniform output light field. The broad output spectrum extends down to 380 nm and overlaps with the common DAPI, FITC, and TRITC filter sets used in biological imaging, making these sources well suited for fluorescence microscopy. In addition, the wide spectrum of these sources is important for hyperspectral imaging, endoscopy, and other lighting and inspection applications.
Features
- Output Spectrum: 380 to 780 nm
- Liquid Light Guide (LLG) Coupled Output
- Compatible LLG Included with Each Source
- Input Tip of LLG is Cooled Using Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs) to Extend LLG's Lifetime
- Independent Shutter Toggled via Automated and/or Manual Controls
- Location-Specific Power Cord Included
Optional Accessories
- Replacement Lamps
- Collimating Adapters for Microscopy
- Additional LLGs
The front panel controls and LCD screen offer full control of the source power, light intensity, shutter, and enabling or disabling external trigger inputs. The back panel features BNC connectors for external triggering and power modulation inputs, as well as a monitor output and USB port for computer control. The software GUI available for download on the Software tab offers full remote control mirroring the functionality available on the front panel. Command line operation is also available using USB connectivity and a terminal emulator or a user-created program.
Liquid Light Guides
The SLS603 and SLS605 light sources are designed to couple light from the xenon lamp into the included LLG with a Ø3 mm or Ø5 mm core, respectively (the sources will not operate without a compatible LLG properly inserted). The advantages of LLGs include a transmitted beam free of dead spots, flexibility that allows them to be coiled, a large core size, and a high numerical aperture. Please see the LLGs tab for additional information. The Ø3 mm light guide provides a beam with higher brightness, while higher total power is coupled into the Ø5 mm LLG. It is possible to focus the beam from the Ø3 mm guide into a smaller spot, and under certain conditions this smaller core diameter may result in more power being coupled into a microscope. Coupling light from the endface of the LLG to a variety of microscopes can be enabled by using the collimation adapters available below. Thorlabs also offers LLG-to-SM1 adapters for both Ø3 mm and Ø5 mm core LLGs (Item #s AD3LLG and AD5LLG).
These light sources use thermoelectric coolers to control the temperature of the LLG tip closest to the bulb, which extends the lifetime of the LLG. Also, the lamp in these sources is designed for continuous operation. It is advisable to refrain from frequent cycling of the lamp between ON and OFF states, as this may significantly reduce its lifespan. For optimal performance, it is recommended to allow 45 minutes to one hour for the lamp to reach thermal equilibrium after being switched on. It is recommended to use the shutter to turn the light output off and on instead of frequently powering the lamp off and back on. Closing the shutter during periods when the output emission of the light source is not needed will also extend the lifetime of the LLG, because this reduces its exposure to the UV radiation from the lamp. Accumulated exposure to the UV portion of the lamp's spectrum increases the attenuation of the LLG, and the LLG should be replaced when transmission levels drop below those required by the application. We recommend the LLGs offered below, which differ from our standard LLG offerings only in that these have a yellow band that acts as a visual guide that indicates when the LLG is correctly installed in the LLG Port of the light source.