TwinCam - Dual Emission Image Splitter from Cairn Research

The Cairn Research TwinCam is a dual-camera emission image splitter designed for high-performance fluorescence microscopy and similar multi-modal imaging. It separates emission light by wavelength, polarization state, focal position, or imaging modality so that it can be imaged simultaneously by two separate cameras.  This allows for scientific imaging to happen with no temporal artifacts, and no loss of field-of-view.

Traditionally, dual channel imaging is performed using an electronic filter changer. The switching speed of an electronic filter changer is a major limitation to speed and science.  With the TwinCam, two images are captured in parallel with no time lost to switching filters.

The TwinCam uses custom optics and highly stable mounting to ensure excellent image registration and features a fully adjustable rectangular aperture to enable cropped sensor imaging modes and reduce scatter.  Cairn's proprietary lens design supports sensors up to 31.9mm diagonal.  The large aperture design results in improved off-axis correction that maximizes image flatness and minimizes chromatic distortion to give enhanced performance with all sensors.  All optical surfaces feature AR coatings, 425nm to 875nm.

The TwinCam is ideal for many scientific applications, including:

• Simultaneous multi-fluorescent probe imaging
• Live cell and high speed imaging
• Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)
• Ratiometric calcium, voltage & pH imaging
• Polarization studies (anisotropy)
• Simultaneous fluorescence and transmitted/DIC/phase imaging
• Simultaneous dual Z depth imaging

The TwinCam is simple to add to most microscopes, and is compatible with:

• Spinning disk confocal microscopy
• Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF)
  
• Light sheet and Single Plane Illumination Microscopy (SPIM)
• 3D super resolution PALM/STORM (using cylindrical lenses)

The TwinCam can be used with any software package that supports simultaneous capture from two cameras.  This includes most microscope software, as well as Micro-Manager, Nebula, VisiView, Inscoper, Slidebook, MetaMorph, and more.  Specific software modules may be required.  Camera TTL synchronization may be necessary for optimal results.

This TwinCam package includes the following:

• C-mount input and output connections (22mm FOV)
• 1x magnification optics
• Rectangular input diaphragm
• 1 Empty filter cube (requires 25mm emission filters, 26x38x2mm dichroic)
• 1 Calibration cube
• 2 Angled auxiliary filter holders
• 2 Support jacks
  

Filters not included.  Alternate adapters are available for larger field-of-view, such as F-Mount or T-Mount.  1.3x and 1.7x magnification optics are available upon request.  Contact us for polarization options including a beamsplitter cube and rotatable polarizer, or multifocal optics.  Additional filter cubes and drop-in 25mm holders are available.

We are happy to recommend and supply filter sets.  Please contact us to discuss your application.