Flow cytometry is a laser-based technology employed in cell counting, cell sorting, biomarker detection, and protein engineering. Most commonly utilized in the Life Sciences, this application is now also used in microbiology, food quality control, plant and animal cytology, immunology, and other areas. This technology is used to analyze the physical and chemical characteristics of particles in a fluid as it passes through at least one laser. The fluorescence-labeled cell components are excited by the lasers to emit light at varying wavelengths. The fluorescence can then be measured to determine the amount and type of cells present in a sample. Up to thousands of particles per second can be analyzed as they pass through the liquid stream.
Flow Cytometry Based Applications
There are many different flow cytometry based applications. With multiple wavelengths at your disposal, allowing such diverse combinations as mentioned above, all of these applications are made more accessible. Some of these applications include cell sorting, immune cell phenotyping (immunophenotyping), immune cell function analysis, intracellular cytokine staining analysis, receptor occupancy analysis, gene therapy, cell cycle analysis, cell proliferation, membrane potential, live/dead bacteria discrimination, tumor suppressor gene/protein expression, antigen-specific cell responses, and many others.
Lasers and Flow Cytometry
RPMC has many years of experience supplying flow cytometry lasers, with a high-quality TEM00 beam profile, low noise, and high pointing stability and power stability to researchers, development teams, and various industry professionals dealing with flow cytometry applications. We offer the most common, critical wavelengths for flow cytometry, which you will find listed below. However, if you require another wavelength not listed, or have any other particular requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us or email us at info@rpmclasers.com. We are able to provide a wide range of wavelengths, and we are always willing to try to accommodate any customization requests.
RPMC has secured trusted partnerships with a selection of leading manufactures who develop laser source products geared toward this application, allowing us to address a host of cost, size, and integration requirements. Because of this strategy, RPMC is able to provide a wide selection of CW laser diode and DPSS modules in a range of output powers, with cytometry-critical wavelengths, as well as multi-wavelength beam combiners, perfect for Life Science applications like flow cytometry. The most common flow cytometry wavelengths are 355 nm (ultraviolet), 405nm (violet), 488 nm (blue), 532nm (green), 552nm (green), 561 nm (green-yellow), and 640 nm (red). With all the available wavelengths, many unique color combinations are available for beam combination, allowing you to more easily switch out your samples and use different fluorescent markers. Furthermore, the use of multi-wavelength combiners reduces time and effort in re-aligning multiple sources to your microscope, as all wavelengths can be guided to the scope with an optical fiber. This means one alignment for multiple wavelengths.
As mentioned above, additional wavelengths are readily available upon request for specific, specialized applications. Most of the visible wavelengths can be used in flow cytometry, but it’s essential that all flow cytometry lasers have a high quality TEM00 beam profile. The recently developed ultraviolet fluorochromes, which are detection reagents, specifically for UV absorption, have brought UV lasers into the spotlight as a useful tool for Flow Cytometry. Lower profile, cost effective 349nm (UV) DPSS Lasers are a very practical replacement for older, bulkier, near-UV systems for ratiometric detection of the calcium ion Ca2+.High output power, power stability, low noise, excellent beam quality, and pointing stability are important requirements to consider when selecting a Flow Cytometry laser.
The diode and DPSS modules we offer here boast features tailored for use in flow cytometry based applications:
Efficient cavity design: under-driven pump diode for extended lifetime
Monolithic design: provides excellent pointing stability & power stability
High-quality: compared to cheaper options, excellent laser to laser performance repeatability & ISO certified manufacturers
Key Flow Cytometry Laser Specifications:
High pointing stability
High power stability & low noise
≈ 50 – 100 mW for counting / ≈ 200 mW for sorting
High-quality TEM00 beam profile
Polarization (100:1)
The multi-wavelength beam combiners we offer here boast features tailored for use in flow cytometry based applications:
Most compact options on the market
More flexible with more options and outputs
Very competitive pricing
Key Flow Cytometry Beam Combiner Specifications:
Up to 500 mW per wavelength
Direct modulation: analog, digital, or both
High efficiency polarization maintaining fiber coupling
USB computer interface and compatible with µManager
How Can We Help?
With many years experience providing flow cytometry lasers, with a high-quality TEM00 beam profile, low noise, and high pointing stability and power stability to researchers, development teams, and various industry professionals, and 1000s of units fielded, we have the experience to ensure you get the right product for the application. Working with RPMC ensures you are getting trusted advice from our knowledgeable and technical staff on a wide range of laser products. RPMC and our manufacturers are willing and able to provide custom solutions for your unique application.
If you have any questions, or if you would like some assistance please Contact Us here. Furthermore, you can email us at info@rpmclasers.comto talk to a knowledgeable Product Manager.
Alternatively, use the filters on this page to assist in narrowing down the selection of flow cytometry lasers for sale. Finally, head to our Knowledge Center with our Lasers 101 page and Blogs, Whitepapers, and FAQ pages for further, in-depth reading.
Finally, check out our Limited Supply – In Stock – Buy Now page: This page contains an ever-changing assortment of various types of new lasers at marked-down/discount prices.
The Matchbox series offers excellent performance and reliability in the “World’s Smallest” ultra-compact, all-in-one, integrated laser head. They can operate on a 5V power supply while maintaining low noise operation. The monolithic design of the Matchbox Series laser includes thermally stabilized optics in a hermetically sealed housing, ensuring reliable and maintenance-free operation. This series is available in wavelengths from 405 nm thru 1064nm, with options for collimated beam or fiber-coupled output, and single-mode and multimode version.
The LaserBoxx Low Noise series of CW diode laser modules, with a variety of wavelengths from 375 to 785nm and output powers up to 350mW,offers highly customizable laser solutions for OEM and plug & play modules. With advanced features such as excellent beam quality, stability, and modulation capabilities, our lasers provide ultra-low noise and a wide range of options for SM, MM, and PM fiber coupling. Our dedicated control software, USB and RS232 interfaces, and external controller with power display make integration, operation, and remote diagnostics a breeze. Additionally, our rugged and compact design and wide variety of standard wavelengths ensure that our lasers can meet your specific needs.
The LXCc series is a range of compact, highly customizable, and flexible all-in-one laser combiners that provide the widest variety of wavelength options, up to 7 different laser lines (up to 500 mW output power per line), direct modulation on every source, SLM capabilities, proven long-term stability, and many other advanced features. The turnkey or OEM versions allow a large choice of lasers from 375nm up to 1064nm. The extension module provides the ultimate level of flexibility with options for up to 4 optical fiber outputs, AOTF modulator, motorized ND filter, integrated fast switching output ports for FRAP, or adjustable split power for light-sheet microscopy.
The RHAML series of diode laser modules deliver a uniform, stable output beam that crucual for machine vision applcations, especially in 3D vision systems. The compact, RHAML series is a reliable light source that incoroporates a fucusing lens that can be easily adjusted by the user. Additionally, the RHAML series is fully IP67 compliant, making it an ideal solution for use in harsh environmental conditions and production/industrial facilities.
The RML series of laser diode modules are available with single mode fiber outputs with a set wavelength from 405nm – 2500nm. The compact RML series is available with up to 80mW of output power in a package measuring 15mm in diameter and 40mm in length (without connector) . As an option these modules are offered with a potentiometer for power adjustment, external TTL modulation up to 1MHz and analog modulation up to 100kHz.
The Skylark series of ultrareliable, high performance, CW single-frequency lasers are available at a variety of wavelengths with high average powers, making them well suited for a variety of highly specialized scientific and industrial applications. BRaMMS Technology® enables superior performance, high output powers, and outstanding beam properties in an overall compact footprint. The Skylark series of lasers are utilized in a range of applications including holography, metrology, spectroscopy, and quantum technology.
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