Low noise, narrow linewidth DPSS lasers for high-throughput cytometry
The Skylark NX series of single frequency C-DPSS lasers provides the ideal combination of high power and pure spectral properties to enable accurate detection and analysis during flow cytometry.
Skylark Lasers offer multiple wavelengths for flow cytometry
The Skylark NX series of DPSS lasers are ideal for complex flow cytometry.
All lasers feature excellent beam quality in TEM₀₀ mode with an M² factor < 1.2, ensuring uniform illumination across samples for improved signal consistency.
The long-term wavelength stability of our lasers is < 1 pm, ensuring reliable and reproducible measurements over time.
Peak-to-peak power stability is maintained at < 1%, to minimise variability in fluorescent signal intensity.
Low ASE noise
Improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for accurate detection of weak fluorescent signals or rare cells.
UV wavelengths
320 nm and 349 nm ultraviolet wavelengths for the analysis and sorting of and expanded range of cell markers.
Narrow linewidth
Enhances detection resolution to reduce background noise from adjacent fluorophores.
Wavelength accuracy
Enables reproducible and consistent data acquisition for long-duration or high-throughput cytometry.
What is flow cytometry?
Flow cytometry is a powerful and versatile technique that enables the rapid analysis, sorting, and quantification of cells, organelles, and microvesicles in suspension.
It can also be used for applications beyond biology, such as measuring particulate counts in fluids for environmental monitoring or detecting pollutants in water, and even for applications like tracking ships and submarines
With the availability of multiple laser wavelengths — such as 320 nm, 349 nm, 532 nm, and 640 nm — more complex flow cytometry experiments can be performed, improving the resolution, sorting capabilities, and multi-parametric analysis of cells and particles.
The choice of laser wavelength plays a crucial role in optimising the detection of specific fluorescent dyes, enabling better differentiation of cell populations and enhancing the detection of rare or subtle cellular features.
Fluorescent dyes:
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DAPI (Excitation: 355 nm; Emission: 456 nm): Often used for nuclear staining in UV lasers, enabling precise detection of DNA content.
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FITC: Excited by 532 nm, commonly used for labelling antibodies in cell surface and intracellular marker analysis.
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Cy3, Cy5, Cy7: These fluorophores are excited by visible and red lasers (532 nm and 640 nm) and are popular for multicolour flow cytometry due to their distinct emission spectra.
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Rhodamine: Often used with green lasers (532 nm) for tracking live cells or labelling certain antibodies.
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Dye-conjugated antibodies: Widely applicable for cell-surface marker detection in immunophenotyping.
DPSS lasers are the highest power, spectrally pure light sources for flow cytometry
Skylark Lasers offers high power, single frequency laser sources with excellent beam quality and spectral purity. With long-term power and wavelength stability, our compact lasers are ideal for multiple flow cytometry applications, such as:
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Cell sorting
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Cell analysis
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Nanoparticle analysis
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Fluorescence detection
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Immunophenotyping
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Photoluminescence spectroscopy
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PL materials characterisation
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PL excitation of carbon nanotubes
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Fluorescence imaging of aromatic amino acids
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DNA quantitation
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Single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy
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Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM)
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Photoluminescence lifetime imaging (PLIM)
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Fluorescence-based sensing
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Biomedical imaging
By integrating these high-performance lasers into flow cytometry systems, researchers can achieve superior resolution, enhanced sensitivity, and the ability to analyse complex cellular populations with greater accuracy and reliability.
Ideal for UV-excitable dyes and spectral flow cytometry. Enables the detection of unique markers through UV-conjugated antibodies and spectral analysis. Provides access to critical data that cannot be captured by visible lasers, such as DNA content using dyes like DAPI (which has peak excitation at 355 nm and peak emission at 456 nm).
Excites popular fluorophores like FITC (Fluorescein Isothiocyanate) and Rhodamine, as well as certain dye-conjugated antibodies. Widely applicable in immunophenotyping, cell viability, and intracellular signaling studies.
640 nm visible red wavelength
Optimised for dyes such as Cy5, Cy7, and dsRed, which are important in multicolour experiments where minimal spectral overlap is needed. Extends the range of detectable fluorophores, allowing for more complex cell staining protocols and detailed immunological studies.
