Solid state lasers on the FACSVantage DiVa.
The FACSVantage DiVa has four lasers, all solid state sources; up to three can operate simultaneously. Our "normal" laser configuration is shown schematically below...
The FACSVantage optical bench holds four lasers, occupying primary, secondary and tertiary positions. Our primary laser is a DPSS 488 nm solid state laser, a Coherent Sapphire 200 mW configured for flow cytometric use by iCyt Visionary Bioscience. Our secondary laser is a Power Technology red laser diode 638 nn laser. Our tertiary lasers include a frequency-tripled Nd-YVO4 ultraviolet 355 nm solid state laser, a Spectra-Physics Vanguard, and a Power Technology dual module violet laser diode 405 nm. In our current configuration, the 488 nm laser intercepts the stream "first", the helium-neon 633 nm "second" and the Vanguard 355 nm or the dual module violet diode the "third".
(Below). Configuration of all four lasers on the Vantage optical bench.
(Below). The primary DPSS 488 nm laser. This laser is typically operated at 100 mW total power output, with a maximum of 200 mW. More information about this laser is here.
(Below). The secondary red laser diode in operation, occupying the outermost position on a FACSVantage optical bench. This unit emits at 638 nm, approximately the same as the FACSCalibur diode. Power level is approximately 27 mW. All alignment changes to the red diode are made to the laser itself; since the beam does not pass through any steering prisms, the final power level is approximately the same as the HeNe laser previously used on the sorter.
(Below). The tertiary Nd-YVO4 frequency-tripled 355 nm laser, in the center position on the FACSVantage optical bench. The DPSS 488 nm laser is visible to the left of the UV unit. This laser emits at 355 nm at line at a fixed power level of 350 mW; a beamsplitter is used to reduce this to 70-120 mW. More information about the Vanguard laser is here.
(Below). The tertiary dual module violet laser diode 405 nm. This unit is actually two 60 mW polarized violet laser diodes mounted at right angles to one another, with their orientation of polarization at 90 degrees to each other. The beams are merged using a polarized beamsplitter, resulting in a single beam emitting at over 100 mW. Either the UV or the violet laser can be used at once. Information about this unit is here.
(Below). Power supplies and monitoring systems for the solid state lasers. Power supplies for both the 488 nm and ultraviolet lasers, the diode pump source for the UV unit, and computers for laser operation and power monitoring are located on this rack unit (left). A broadband power/pointing stability monitoring system for the Vanguard UV laser is shown on the right.
Due to the high power outputs of the 488, ultraviolet and violet lasers, additional laser shielding has been installed on the FACSVantage to reduce the escape of stray laser light.
Our large collection of flexible laser sources make virtually any flow experiment possible. Talk to us regarding your needs.
For information on PMTs, dichroics and filters (and what fluorochromes they can detect), go here.