Filter cubes take an input light, e.g. white light from a mecury lamp or white LED, and filter it, so that only light of allowed wavelengths hit your sample. The filtered light is directed to your sample by bouncing off the dichroic mirror in the filter cube. Emitted light from your sample of a certain set of different wavelengths are permitted to pass up, through the dichroic mirror and to your camera. There are many filter types. Here are some we use in the lab:
| filter | specs | usage |
|---|---|---|
| Chroma 49012 - ET - FITC/EGFP Longpass | Light to sample: 459-499 nm Light to camera: 511 nm+, long pass | Send far blue light to your sample, i.e. green fluorophores and see emitted green light while also seeing IR light from the sample which is used to illuminate the brain |
| Chroma 19004 - AT - TRITC/Cy3 Longpass | Light to sample: 530-552 nm Light to camera: 580 nm+, long pass | Stimulate and visualise red fluorophores with geen light, while also seeing IR light from the sample which is used to illuminate the brain |
| Chroma 49019 - ET - Cy5 Longpass | Light to sample: 590-648 nm Light to camera: 666 nm+, long pass | Stimulate CsChrimson using nearer red light and capture further red light from the sample while also seeing IR light from the sample which is used to illuminate the brain |
| Olympus U-MF2 | Stimulate and visualise the Halo7 ‘htag’ ligand. |
Cleaning#
Clean gently only if necessary. Loose particles should be removed with a bulb puffer or filtered, pressurized air cleaner. If necessary, gently wipe surface using anhydrous alcohol and lint-free lab towels. Use new surface of towel with each wipe.