problem
Commercial light sources have significant performance limitations including low power, spectral drift and short lifetimes that are only overcome with large investment. Available light sources can only satisfy some of life science’s requirements. These limitations lead to lower throughput and sensitivity, frequent instrument calibration and high cost of ownership. Limitations of existing technologies include:
- Lasers are bright and narrow, but offer limited wavelengths. High acquisition costs and frequent replacement can make their effective price exceed $10,000. As well, significant safety issues can make them an undesirable option.
- Arc and tungsten lamps have unattractively broad wavelength outputs, over 1000 nm. Costly spectral filters, numerous optics and significant heat management are problematic and contribute to an effective light subsystem price exceeding $10,000.
- LEDs provide insufficient intensity and uniformity for some applications. They are wavelength limited in some spectral regions, most notably, no appreciable green output. While typically thought of as a low cost component, when bundled for sufficient intensity, costs rise. Performance is limited by relatively wide spectral output and wide divergence angles.
