KolaDeep™ Spectral Measurement System: Measure Deeper Blocking

As fluorescence-based life science and biomedical instruments advance, high-performance optical filters with very high optical density (OD) and steep spectral edges are critical for reliable operation. IDEX Health & Science Semrock developed the award-winning KolaDeep™ Spectral Measurement System (SMS) to provide proven, high-precision measurements of the steepest and deepest spectral features in custom optical filters. This system is integrated into routine production to ensure that instruments incorporating Semrock filters perform exactly as intended.

KolaDeep SMS can measure blocking levels up to OD 8–9 across the UV, visible, and NIR ranges, and resolve spectral features to OD 11. It achieves edge resolution steeper than 0.2% relative to edge wavelength, transitioning from 90% transmission to OD >7. For example, pentaband filters are confirmed to exceed OD 8 blocking between passbands, preventing excitation light leakage, while hexa-notch filters consistently block multiple laser lines at precise, repeatable levels—even in the UV spectrum.

Extensive qualification testing validates both wavelength and photometric accuracy, ensuring theoretical designs match measured performance. Compared to standard commercial systems, KolaDeep maintains accurate measurements at ultra-high OD levels, providing confidence that your optical filters meet exacting specifications.

For researchers and instrument developers seeking custom optical filters, the KolaDeep SMS provides critical assurance of performance. Download our white paper, Advanced Spectral Measurement Systems and Semrock Optical Filters, to explore detailed examples, and contact Semrock to learn how our precision measurements can support your next-generation optical instrumentation.