LAMBDA DG-4 PLUS & DG-5 PLUS OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.05B (20131009)
1
1.
GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1
Introduction
The Lambda DG-4PLUS and Lambda DG-5PLUS are two models of an illumination system
that is designed for the rapid change of wavelength. The system comprises 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. Separate
documentation for the lamp and its power supply (provided by PerkinElmer Optoelectronics)
accompanies this manual.
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) 883-01281.2
General Description
The Lambda DG-4/5PLUS is a complete illumination and rapid wavelength switching system.
While retaining the advantages of traditional interference filter based systems, the DG-
4/5PLUS 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 allows for the user to perform real-time video imaging. This high
switching speed of the DG-4/5PLUS 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 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.