
In fluorescence microscopy and after sample preparation, illumination is everything. Your light source seems to be working well, but there doesn’t seem to be as much excitation light getting to your specimen. So how healthy is your liquid light guide (LLG)?
The LLG is a crucial component delivering the light from the light source (lamp-based or LED illuminator) to the microscope. Several factors can affect the efficiency of this light transmission.
- Age of the LLG. A LLG has an expected life span of about 4000 hours. Maybe it’s time for a new LLG to restore the performance of your system.
- Bubble formation. Bubbles commonly form in LLGs, but this doesn’t mean you need to replace it, or do you?
- LLG installation is not optimal. The LLG doesn’t typically slide out of the light source by itself, but it only takes a second to ensure it is properly inserted.
- LLG isn’t straight. Bends in the LLG can and will reduce light transmission, and may lead to premature aging of the LLG.
LLGs are widely used today with modern LED-based and solid state illuminators. Does your fluorescence light source use an LLG? You will want to read this troubleshooting guide (extracted from old Excelitas X-Cite® 120 documentation) to determine if your LLG performance can be revived, or if it’s time for a new LLG.
Excelitas_Liquid-Light-Guide_Troubleshooting-Guide_v011525
If it’s time for a new LLG, ACCU-SCOPE can help. Contact Us for assistance.