Sutter Instrument Lambda DG-4Plus/USB, Operation Manual

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LAMBDA DG-4 & 5 PLUS/USB OPERATION MANUAL – REV.
1.01B3
(
20190607
)
1
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 Introduction
The Lambda DG-4PLUS/USB and Lambda DG-5PLUS/USB are two models of an
illumination system that is designed for the rapid change of wavelength. The system
comprises of three subsystems: controller, optical path, and lamp light source with power
supply. All three subsystems are conveniently housed in one cabinet. For the most part, this
manual is organized around those subsystems to provide you with ready access to
information, as you need it. .
1.1.1 How to Use this Manual
This manual is organized in a manner that is best suited for the typical manner in which the
reader would learn about the system, and then install, operate, and maintain it. Prior to the
table of contents of this manual is a disclaimer and a series of cautionary and warning notes
that should be read first. This first chapter provides an overall description of the system,
leaving more in-depth technical information towards the end of the chapter. The next
chapter describes how to install the system, followed by one or more chapters that provide
operation instructions, and ending with a chapter on maintenance. Following the final
chapter are several appendices that provide supplemental information. The installation
chapter covers everything related to installation, from unpacking the equipment as received,
through to ensuring that everything is correctly installed and is operating correctly. The
operation chapters cover the two basic types of user interaction with the system: Manual
(local) control and external computer control. Please take the time to read these instructions
to assure the safe and proper use of this instrument.
1.1.2 Technical Support
Unlimited technical support is provided by Sutter Instrument Company at no charge to our
customers. Our technical support staff is available between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00
PM (Pacific Time) at (415) 883-0128. You may also E-mail your queries to
info@sutter.com .
1.2 General Description
The Lambda DG-4/5PLUS/USB is a complete illumination and rapid wavelength switching
system. While retaining the advantages of traditional interference filter based systems, the
DG-4/5PLUS/USB greatly improves upon the temporal constraints of traditional filter
changing devices such as filter wheels. With switching time ranging from 0.5 milliseconds
(when switching between adjacent filters) to 1 millisecond (between the most distantly-
spaced filters), the DG-4/5PLUS/USB allows for the user to perform real-time video imaging.
This high switching speed of the DG-4/5PLUS/USB provides for the ability to follow fast
changes in ion concentrations in dual wavelength ratio imaging applications and to monitor
other concomitant changes in the studied system at additional wavelengths.
Modern interference filters, as used in the Lambda DG-4/5PLUS/USB do not pass harmonics
and have integral blocking characteristics 1000 times better than typical monochromators
systems. For the same full width at half maximum (FWHM), interference filters have a
narrower spectral bandpass than monochromators due to the absence of the slit function.
The dual galvanometer design of the Lambda DG-4/5PLUS/USB allows tuning of the relative