BMG Labtech FLUOstar OPTIMA - Fluorescence Filters; Fluorescence Polarization Filters; Dual Emission Filters; Absorbance Filters

BMG LABTECH FLUOstar / POLARstar / LUMIstar OPTIMA Operating Manual
2007-11-19 0413B0001I 19/23
Next to the axle in the center of the housing is a small positioning pin. This pin must fit into one of the holes
on the back of the filter wheel. Replace the filter wheel on the axle and push it in position (the axle should
stick out 3mm). Turning the filter wheel quickly might help in position it correctly. Place the filter wheel nut on
the axle and hand tighten it until is it snug. Spin the wheel again. The filter wheel should move freely and
move without vibration. If the wheel seems to drag or wobble, tighten the nut more or remove and reposition
the wheel.
Replace the cover and reconnect the light guides.
If the instrument makes a grinding sound it is very likely that the large filter wheel nut in the middle
should be tightened better or that a filter screw is loose.
4.4.2 Fluorescence Filters
The fluorescence filters have a bandwidth that varies dependant upon type of fluorescence filter. Filters
optimized for specific fluorophores can vary in the bandwidth from around 10 nm to around 30 to 40 nm
(measured at ½ height). BMG–10 filters are symmetrical filters that in ½ height have a bandwidth of 10 nm
and hence can be used in both in the excitation and the emission position.
4.4.3 Fluorescence Polarization Filters
The excitation filters can go in any available position in the excitation wheel. The emission wheel has two
filters of the same wavelength for each channel. They should be positioned 180° from each other (for
example position 3 and position 7 for the 520 filter). The filter configuration can be entered in ‘Setup | Filters’.
4.4.4 Dual Emission Filters
As for fluorescence polarization, the excitation filter can be placed in any position. The emission filters to be
used in dual emission measurement should be positioned 180° from each other (emission position 1 pairs
with position 5, position 2 pairs with position 6, etc).
4.4.5 Absorbance Filters
Place the filter (either a BMG-10 or an "Abs" filter) that matches the wavelength of choice in any excitation
position. For emission, there are two possibilities:
Empty: Define a filter position as empty so that all the light from the reaction will pass directly
through to the PMT ("empty" needs to be typed in).
Use of a filter: If you know the wavelength of the emitting light, you may choose to use a filter to block any
stray light. The filter can be used in any emission filter position.
4.4.6 Luminescence Filters
Like for fluorescence filters, the luminescence filters are designed to transmit as much light as possible. The
bandwidth varies depending upon the type of assay (filters are optimized to return the best result) and can
vary in the bandwidth from around 10 nm and up to to around 100 nm (measured at ½ height).