Adapting Optical Filters for Simple and Complex Fluorescence Imaging Systems

This presentation presents practical approaches to adapting optical filters for fluorescence imaging platforms and is tailored for instrument builders using either catalog or custom filters. The techniques discussed have been developed during collaborations on fluorescence optical systems with both end users and engineers in the life science, medical, and analytical OEM industries.

After Delay introduces a spectral display tool for planning and reviewing system filter performance, he discusses the practical use of two optical filters in series to increase blocking; the effects of large incident angles on filter spectral behavior; methods to reduce angle-dependent spectral shift; mitigating the effects of minor coating pinholes on system performance; and strategies for suppressing internal high-angle reflections from complex downstream optics. The presentation also covers the use of colored glass as an adjunct; assessing and reducing autofluorescence through the choice of optical components; higher-performance anti-reflection approaches; and options for minimizing filter-to-filter spectral variation.

About the presenter
Michael Delay, Ph.D. is a senior applications scientist with a background in experimental particle physics. He earned a doctorate from the University of Washington, and his subsequent work involved novel optical methods in biophysics research on cells and tissues at UCLA and the University of Calgary.

He transitioned to Axon Instruments, where he was involved in developing new optics-based tools for cell biology research and is currently with IDEX Health & Science | Semrock. He continues to collaborate with researchers on topics in biology and is fascinated by the history of languages.