Optical Filter Changer Sutter Lambda 10-3

The most recent model of Sutter's high performance filter wheel changers is the Lambda 10-3. Faster switching times, synchronized independent control of three filter wheels and two shutters (or two filter wheels and three shutters), and more communication interface options are now available with the controller. The Lambda 10-3 can attain switching times of 40 msec between adjacent filters because of recent improvements in motor technology. In addition, keypad, serial, parallel, and USB interfaces can now be used to access the controller commands.

The popular 10 position 25 mm wheel, a lightweight 4 position 25 mm wheel, a 10 position 32 mm wheel, a 5 position 50 mm wheel, and a small belt-drive 4 position wheel are just a few of the standard Sutter filter wheels that the Lambda 10-3 can manage. There are no jumper wires or switches to set since the embedded controllers immediately identify the installed hardware and the source of the external commands. To optimize the speed of movement in accordance with the weight on the wheel, there are seven velocity choices available. With both the more modern, high-speed 32 mm filter wheel and the more conventional 25 mm filter wheel, the Lambda 10-3 can turn on and off in as little as 40 msec. The four-position wheel (LB10-NWHS4) boosts speed and can swap positions in less than 33 milliseconds. Sutter's filter wheels almost all have a direct drive setup. Due to the fact that this design completely avoids belt slippage and backlash issues, Sutter's wheels are incredibly durable.

There can be many filters used in each location because each wheel can take filters with a thickness of 1 to 9 mm. For instance, this enables users to combine an interference filter and a neutral density filter in a single place. To prevent light scatter, we built a trap into the filter wheel's body. Non-emission filter wheels are supplied with a strong support platform and 12 inch rods for enhanced stability. The Lambda 10-3 controller supports filter wheels in addition to Sutter's proprietary stepper-motor powered SmartShutter® and the Uniblitz® shutter. For systems with mounting restrictions, either shutter can be installed directly onto the wheel, creating a small wheel/shutter bundle.

Excitation, emission, Keller ports, and the trinocular head are just a few places on the microscope where shuttered and unshuttered filter wheels can be mounted. In systems sensitive to vibrations, the Lambda LS xenon light source and liquid light guide can be employed with up to two excitation and/or neutral density filter wheels. Anywhere along the light path, including the Lambda LS and Lambda DG-4/DG-5, the SmartShutter can be placed separately from the wheel and operated by the Lambda 10-3 controller in a stand-alone arrangement. The Microscope Adapters page contains a list of all the particular adapters for microscopes that are required for every arrangement of wheels and shutter.

Because the Lambda 10-3 commands are a superset of the Lambda 10-2, all previously accessible capabilities are now included in the new layout. To access the third wheel and the unique SmartShutter functions, more commands are included. It is simple to use the previous shutter commands to access the SmartShutter-specific capabilities, such as the neutral density or the "soft" shutter mode, thanks to the keypad's ability to be programmed with these configurations.

One can choose a filter directly from the keypad or via a computer using the serial, parallel, or USB connector. The wheel's movement is controlled by a controller that finds the quickest path to the chosen filter and uses an acceleration/deceleration algorithm to reduce vibrations. Correct filter alignment is ensured by internal sensors, and the front panel shows the current filter position. A DB-9 connector connected to the serial port receives RS232 level signals. A common connector used for USB input allows for direct connection to a USB port on a computer.

There is no need for user modification because the universal power supply will adjust automatically to meet the line voltage. For applications requiring complete vibration isolation and/or homogeneous spatial lighting, a liquid light guide is an optional alternative.

IMPROVING FILTER SWITCHING TIMES WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF FILTERS

Fast changeover of a lightly laden wheel has long been a priority for the Sutter filter wheel systems. When more thick filters are placed, the extra bulk necessitates a longer transition time between filters. With filters manufactured on a thin substrate that don't need a thick layer of extra glass to achieve the appropriate blocking, switching times are greatly reduced. Semrock® possesses the necessary coating technology to provide filters with substrates as thin as 2 mm.

Sutter went one step further and created a unique threaded ring that Semrock may use in place of their customary plain filter cells. When the conventional filter cups have been removed, filters placed in these rings can be threaded straight into the body of filter wheels. The filter cup and retaining ring typically used to place filters in Sutter wheels weigh more than Semrock filters, which are actually lighter. Therefore, even a fully loaded wheel will be able to run at speeds that were previously only possible with just 2 filters fitted. To do this, just remove the filter cups and put the new threaded filters directly in the wheel.

The STR Semrock filters can be purchased directly from Semrock and come in both 25 mm and 32 mm sizes. It is necessary to remove the filter cup from the location where the threaded filter will be mounted if you are mounting these filters in a sutter wheel that has filter cups. Use the new wrench made specifically for this job while installing the new threaded filters. Ask Sutter for further information.

FEATURES

• A 40 msec difference between neighboring filters is possible (10 position wheel)
• As little as 30 msec can pass between neighboring filters (3 position wheel)
• Can operate two wheels and three shutters or three shutters and two wheels
• May accept the shutters SmartShutter® and Uniblitz®
• 7 speed options to enhance motion
• Lambda 10-2-compatible command set
• Installed hardware is automatically detected
• USB, serial, and parallel interfaces
• Capable of controlling various 25 mm, 32 mm, and 50 mm wheels
• Chopper drives
• Universal power source