Re: Advice on building multi-channel image splitter

Posted by Peter Brunt AVR on
URL: http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/Advice-on-building-multi-channel-image-splitter-tp7587097p7587102.html

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*Commercial Response* From AVR Optics (Semrock's research and academic distributor for the US and Canada)

Hi Adam,

As previously mentioned in this thread, the key factor in this type of setup is the flatness of the splitting dichroic.  An insufficient flatness will introduce wavefront errors that will distort your image.  With a lot of standard dichroics which are used in a microscopes epi-fluoresence path, the flatness requirements are not as strict as is typically required for splitting images.  To address this, Semrock, have developed a range of image splitting dichroics.  These use a thicker 3mm glass substrate that will support a higher lambda/10 flatness, equivalent to ~lamda/5 reflected wavefront error.  This level of flatness is generally regarded as a strong standard of optical flatness for even the most demanding optical setups and should be ideal for image splitting.  

Details on Semrock's range can be found online here: https://www.semrock.com/image-splitting-dichroics.aspx

As an additional note, I think this has already been mentioned by mounting will also come into play.  I would recommend using higher quality optical mounts for these elements to avoid drift over time.  Everything from mechanical shock to thermal changes in the environment can cause the mechanics to move so something with a locking mechanism or a well thermally balanced mount will save a lot of time in the long run.  

I hope this helps.


Best Regards

Peter Brunt

AVR Optics