Detectors Unit

Two-channel Acquisition Unit
Two detectors are mounted into the unit. Typically the detectors are Single Photon Counting Avalanche Photodiodes (SPADs), or Photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). Other detectors can be used as well (hybrid PMTs, microchannelplate MCP detectors).

The fluorescence light is brought to the unit from the confocal head of the microscope by using a multimode fiber (50-100 μm diameter) with FC connector.

At the entrance of the unit the light is split by a dichroic filter. A computer-controlled filterwheel mounting up to five dichroic allows for the fast switching between the dichroic. The light is directed into each channel. For easy of alignment each detector is mounted onto XZ stepper-motor controlled slides; while the alignment for the PMT is not critical, the correct positioning of the photosensor area is important for the APDs that feature a small diameter active area (50-170 µm diameter, depending upon the specific models). The unit is controlled through the USB communication port.

Detectors models