16 mm Cage Cube for Fluorescence Filter Sets

Quickly Interchange Filter Sets with Repeatable Alignment
Mounts Ø12.5 mm Round Filters and a 12.5 mm x 17.6 mm Rectangular Dichroic Mirror
16 mm Cage System and Ø1/2" Lens Tube Compatible Cubes

DFM05R1

16 mm Cage Cube for Ø12.5 mm Fluorescence Filters, SM05-Threaded Ports

DFM05T1

Seperate Insert Available for Easy Exchange of Optics

DFM05B

Kinematic Cage Cube Base

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Overview
Applications
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Selection Guide

Opened Cube Insert Showing Spring Plate and Dichroic

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The DFM05 series insert (Item # DFM05T1) uses a spring plate (left) to hold a dichroic mirror (right), applying minimal stress to the optic.

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The DFM05R1 cube has two excitation (EX) and two emission (EM) filter ports. Ports labeled with the same number should be used together.

Features

Kinematic 16 mm Cage Cube for Holding Fluorescence Filter Set (Not Included)
16 mm Cage System and SM05 (0.535"-40) Threaded Lens Tube Compatible
Individual Cube Insert, Base, and Cover Plate Also Available
Emission Ports with 3° Tilt to Reduce Undesired Reflections
Easily Swap Inserts in Cage Aligned Cubes
16 mm Cage Cube Connectors for Connecting Two Cubes Side by Side (Sold Separately Below)

The DFM05 Series Fluorescence Filter Cubes are designed to hold a dichroic mirror, excitation filter, and emission filter in a cube that is 16 mm cage-system-compatible for home-built microscopy setups. They consist of a post-mountable base and removable insert that accepts filter set components. The cube insert is magnetically retained in the cube base to easily remove and install inserts with alternate optics in an aligned setup. This enables the user to switch between fluorescence imaging of different wavelengths.

As shown in the photo to the right, the DFM05 series insert uses a spring plate retention mechanism for holding the rectangular dichroic. To mount the optic, open the insert by unscrewing the two hex screws on the edge of the insert using a 5/64" (2 mm) hex wrench or ball driver, then place the optic on the surface opposite the spring plate, and refasten the insert. Tweezer pockets aid in installing and removing the 12.5 mm x 17.6 mm dichroic, as can be seen underneath the four corners of the optic.

The cube insert holds the round emission and excitation filters with the included SM05RR Retaining Rings, and can be tightened or loosened with the SPW603 Spanner Wrench. The insert is set within the SM05-threaded base cube and has a clear aperture of Ø0.44" (Ø11.0 mm).

The cube insert has four ports for Ø12.5 mm filters; the excitation and emission filters can be mounted in two possible configurations (see the diagram above). The emission ports are oriented at a 3° angle with respect to the face in order to reduce undesired reflections. To help keep track of your filter sets, spaces are provided on the top to write labels for the mounted filters and mirrors. The cube insert is designed to be inserted in a single orientation with respect to the cube base, so it is important to orient the full cube assembly in the proper direction within the setup.

The base of these kinematic cubes has an SM05-threaded (0.535"-40) port on each face at an optical height from the base of 1.00" or 25 mm for the imperial and metric versions, respectively. These ports are compatible with our SM05 lens tubes. Four 4-40 tapped holes surround each port for compatibility with our 16 mm cage system. The cube base is equipped with three bottom-located #8-32 (M4) tapped holes, which provide direct compatibility with our Ø1/2" posts.

#	Product Description	Qty.
1	DFM1 - Kinematic Fluorescence Filter Cube	1
2	Microscopy Filters	1 Set
3	SM1B3 - Lens Tube Bellows	1
4	SM1ZM - Non-Rotating SM1 Zoom Housing	1
5	Focusing Lens Inside Zoom Housing	1
6	ST1XY-D - XY Translator with Differential Drives	1
7	Precision Pinhole Between XY Translator and Photodetector	1
8	Photodetector SM1-Compatible Photodetector	1

DFM1 Filter Cubes - Optic Alignment in a Confocal Microscope Detection Module

The DFM1 is ideal for integrating filter sets into a custom microscopy setup. The following example of a partial confocal microscope uses a DFM1 Fluorescence Filter Cube (denoted by 1 in the image below) containing a Microscopy Filter Set (2) and an APD130A(/M) Photodetector (8). A lens (5) located inside the SM1ZM High-Precision Zoom Housing (4) focuses the beam onto a precision pinhole (7) located just before the avalanche photodetector's detector element. The SM1ZM zoom housing is mounted directly onto the ST1XY-D XY Translation Mount with Differential Adjusters (6), creating a compact XYZ mount. SM1 Lens Tubes and the SM1B3 Lens Tube Bellows (3) allow for a light-tight connection without inhibiting the free movement of the XYZ mount.

Components used in the configuration pictured below are listed in the table to the right. These parts, along with SM1 Lens Tubes and 1" Post Assemblies, are sold separately.

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Kinematic Cage Cubes Selection Guide (Click Image to Enlarge)
Type	Empty Cubes for Fluorescence Filters	Empty Cubes for Beamsplitters	Empty Cubes for Right-Angle Optics	Beam-Turning Cubes with Pre-Mounted Prism Mirrors	Multimode Fiber Optic Filter Cube
16 mm Cage Cubes	Full Web Presentation	-	-	-	-
30 mm Cage Cubes	Full Web Presentation	Full Web Presentation	Full Web Presentation	Full Web Presentation	Full Web Presentation
60 mm Cage Cubes	Full Web Presentation	-	Full Web Presentation	-	-

16 mm Cage-Compatible, Kinematic Fluorescence Filter Cube

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16 mm Cage-Compatible Fluorescence Filter Cube Mechanical Drawing

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Drawing of DFM05R1(/M) Fluorescence Filter Cube. Dimensions for the metric version of the cube are shown in parentheses.

Kinematic 16 mm Cage-Compatible Cubes for Mounting Fluorescence Filter Sets
Four 4-40 Tapped Holes Around Each SM05-Threaded (0.535"-40) Port Enable 16 mm Cage System Compatibility
Three Bottom-Located 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) Tapped Holes for Post Mounting

The DFM05R1(/M) Kinematic Fluorescence Filter Cube for 16 mm Cage Systems consists of a post-mountable cube base and a removable insert that mounts Ø12.5 mm round emission and excitation filters and 12.5 mm x 17.6 mm rectangular dichroics.

See the table below for acceptable optic sizes. Prior to mounting the rectangular dichroic mirror, please confirm that the optic is no greater than 2.0 mm thick.

DFM05R1(/M) Compatible Filters
Type	Dimensions	Thickness
Excitation	Ø12.5 mm^a	5.0 mm
Emission	Ø12.5 mm^a	3.5 mm
Dichroic	12.5 mm x 17.6 mm	Min: 1.0 mm Max: 2.0 mm

Filters up to Ø1/2" can be secured in this part.

The cube insert is designed to be inserted in a single orientation with respect to the cube base, so it is important to orient the full cube assembly in the proper direction. Note: The black diagonal screw on the cube insert, which secures the insert body to the lid, is not intended for adjustment by the user.

All four sides of the filter cube base have an SM05-threaded port for compatibility with our Ø1/2" lens tubes. The SM05 port is centered between four 4-40 tapped holes for compatibility with Ø4 mm cage rods in a 16 mm cage system, at an optical axis height of 1.00" or 25.0 mm in the imperial or metric versions, respectively.

An empty kinematic filter cube insert, base, and cover plate are also sold separately below.

16 mm Cage-Compatible, Kinematic Fluorescence Filter Cube Insert and Base

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16 mm Cage-Compatible, Kinematic Fluorescence Filter Cube Tops and Bottoms

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DFM05T1 Compatible Filters
Type	Dimensions	Thickness
Excitation	Ø12.5 mm^a	5.0 mm
Emission	Ø12.5 mm^a	3.5 mm
Dichroic	12.5 mm x 17.6 mm	Min: 1.0 mm Max: 2.0 mm

Filters up to Ø1/2" can be secured in this part.

Empty Kinematic Base and Insert for Exchanging User-Provided Filters or Mirror
Insert Ideal for Quickly Switching Fluorescence Filter Sets in an Aligned Experimental Setup
Cube Base with Four 4-40 Tapped Holes Around Each SM05-Threaded (0.535"-40) Port
- Three Bottom-Located 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) Tapped Holes for Post Mounting
Cover Plate for Shielding Stray Light

The Kinematic Fluorescence Filter Cube Insert (Item # DFM05T1) and Base (Item # DFM05B(/M)) are ideal for customers who wish to mount their own filter sets. Different filter sets can be loaded into the inserts, allowing for easy exchange of filter sets within an experimental setup. These items do not include fluorescence filters or a dichroic mirror.

See the table to the right for acceptable optic sizes. Installation of dichroic, emission, and excitation filters in the insert is described in the Overview tab above. The DFM05T1 insert (included in the DFM05R1(/M) cube) features tweezer pockets to aid in mounting and removing a 12.5 mm x 17.6 mm rectangular dichroic. Prior to mounting a rectangular dichroic mirror, please confirm that the optic is no greater than 2.0 mm thick. Note: The black diagonal screw on the cube insert, which secures the insert body to the lid, is not intended for adjustment by the user.

The cube insert is designed to be inserted in a single orientation with respect to the cube base, so it is important to orient the full cube assembly in the proper direction.

All four sides of the DFM05B(/M) cube base have an SM05-threaded port for compatibility with our Ø1/2" lens tubes. The SM05 port is centered between four 4-40 tapped holes for compatibility with Ø4 mm cage rods in a 16 mm cage system, at an optical axis height of 1.00" or 25.0 mm from the bottom of the imperial or metric cube, respectively.

When an insert is not installed within the DFM05B(/M) cube base, the DFM05C Cage Cube Cover Plate can be placed on top to block stray light. Additionally, we offer the SM05CP2 End Cap to minimize the amount of stray light entering through unused ports.

16 mm Cage Cube Connector

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Two 16 mm Cage-Compatible Fluorescence Filter Cubes Connected Using the DFM05-CC Cage Cube Connector

Connect Two 16 mm Cage-Compatible Fluorescence Filter Cubes Side by Side
Remove and Interchange Cube Inserts while the Cube Bases are Connected
Includes Four 4-40 Flat Head and 2-56 Socket Head Screws (5/64" Hex Key Included) for Attaching DFM05 Series Cage Cubes

The DFM05-CC Cage Cube Connector allows two DFM05 series 16 mm cage cubes to be connected together, as shown in the image to the right. The connector must first be concentrically attached to the SM05-threaded port face of a DFM05 series cube using the included four 4-40 flat head screws in the cage rod holes. Two pins on the DFM05-CC connector are accepted by drilled holes on either side of any of the ports on the cube faces to maintain alignment. The affixed cube and connector are attached to a second cube with the four included 2-56 socket head screws fastened in the 2-56 threaded mounting holes on the side faces of the second cube. A 5/64" hex key is included to fasten the screws. DFM05 series cube inserts can still be removed and inserted while the cube bases are connected.