Introduction To Next-Generation Thin-Film Optical Filters For Life Sciences

Fluorescence based systems have revolutionized the way organisms, cells, and biomolecules are visualized and detected. However, challenges that are common in these instruments, such as bleed-through, background autofluorescence, and poor signal-to-noise ratios (S/N), can reduce performance and lead to frustration. Because system performance greatly depends on filter quality, optical filters are arguably the most important component of any fluorescence-based instrument. With that in mind, this application note presents important concepts that should be considered when selecting optical filters for a fluorescence-based system.