HFT 405,488

488nm405nm

488nm405nm

Only 405 and 488 are reflected

All other wavelengths are transmitted

488nm405nm

This is the first beam splitter that directs the excitation light towards the sample. The sample then fluoresces at higher wavelengths, but also reflects back the excitation light back towards the beam splitter. The reflected excitation light reflects back towards the laser, but all other fluorescing wavelengths proceed towards the detectors. If there is no HFT that reflects all the desired wavelengths, use the NT80/20, which reflects 80% of all light and transmits the other 20%.

560nm505nm

BP 505-560

(Band pass filter)

Only wavelengths between 505 and 560 are transmitted

All other wavelengths

are reflected

Band pass filters transmit only the wavelengths between the two cut off numbers. All other wavelengths are reflected away and not collected.

KP605 (short pass filter)

605nm

Wavelengths shorter than the cut off are transmitted.

Wavelengths longer than the cutoff are reflected

Short pass filters only transmit wavelengths shorter than the cut off number. All other wavelengths are cast aside and not collected.

LP575 (long pass filter)

575nm

Wavelengths longer than the cut off are transmitted.

Wavelengths shorter than the cutoff are reflected

Long pass filters only transmit wavelengths longer than the cut off number. All other wavelengths are cast aside and not collected.

490 nm

NFT 490

All wavelengths above 490 are transmitted

All wavelengths below 490 are reflected

These beam splitters act similarly to long pass filters, except they reflect and direct the lower wavelengths along other paths, towards other detectors.

Mirror

Plate

The mirror reflects all wavelengths

The plate blocks all wavelengths.