The detector includes an Ar+-laser (488 nm) to excite the specimen that can be either a single capillary, a set of multiple capillaries or even a microchip.
On detection side it utilizes high NA detection optics, an imaging spectrometer and a back illuminated CCD camera.


Principle of Operation

The Ar+-laser excites the fluorescent molecules whose fluorescence light is focused on the input slit of an imaging spectrometer. As it is an imaging spectrometer it delivers not only the spectrum of a spatial spot but also the spectrum of each position in one special dimension. On the output of the spectrometer a back illuminated CCD images the spatial axis and the spectrum simultaneously – so the user can observe several capillaries or micro channels at once. In addition the setup allows sample imaging if the spectrometer switch to imaging mode by replacing the grading with a mirror.

As the spectrometer suspends all background fluorescence very effectively the sensitivity of the detector is much better than 1 pmol/l FITC in water.

The ultra sensitive detector can be combined with most CEF instruments that provide an external detector port.