Multimodal Microscope | SIMTRUM Photonics Store

Simtrum's Multimodal Microscopy Platform is a highly integrated, flexible, and modular fluorescence dynamics testing system designed for comprehensive characterization of all classes of luminescent materials. It supports conventional fluorescence, phosphorescence, and afterglow imaging.

Built on an open, modular optical architecture with high-precision mechanical interfaces, the platform enables seamless integration of:Multi-source excitation (lasers and LEDs),Multi-path illumination (upright, side, inverted),Synchronized acquisition of image, spectral, and lifetime data.

By swapping functional modules, users can switch between excitation modes in seconds—enabling rapid adaptation to diverse sample types including thin films, solutions, cells, tissues, microfluidic chips, and single nanoparticles. This platform supports the full research workflow: material discovery → mechanism elucidation → device validation.

Features

• Multi-Excitation Compatibility:

Supports independent or synchronized operation of laser and LED sources across 350–1550 nm. Specifically optimized for Photon Avalanche (PA) materials requiring stringent excitation conditions. Includes a high-stability 1064 nm laser (power stability ≤ ±0.5% RMS) with precise power density control (0.1–500 kW/cm²) for PA threshold crossing and nonlinear response measurements.

• Flexible Multi-Path Illumination:

Switches between upright, side, and inverted excitation geometries in <2 minutes—without moving the sample or realigning optics. Compatible with slides, cuvettes, Petri dishes, microfluidic chips, and single particles. Ideal for both static characterization and dynamic process monitoring.

• Multidimensional Signal Synchronization:

Integrates digital imaging, spectral resolution (200–1700 nm), and time-resolved detection (<30 ps time resolution). Simultaneously captures fluorescence intensity, emission peak position, and lifetime dynamics. Achieves <50 nm spatial resolution in single-particle PA super-resolution imaging and supports lifetime measurements from 100 ps to 10 s.

• Modular Design & Intelligent Software:

Uses standardized cage-based optics and quick-connect interfaces with auto-alignment. The companion software supports automatic background subtraction, multi-peak fitting, multi-exponential lifetime decay modeling, Stokes shift calculation, and one-click generation of standardized PDF/Excel reports—enhancing research efficiency and data reproducibility.

Applications

• Fluorescent Dyes:
  Applications:bio-labeling and cell imaging;Key characteristics: high brightness, low background and long lifetime.

• Quantum Dots:
  Applications:optical sensors and displays;Key characteristics:size-tunable emission, high quantum yield.
• Perovskites:
  Applications:solar cells, LEDs;Key characteristics: high optoelectronic efficiency, solution-processable.
• Upconversion Nanoparticles:
  Applications: deep-tissue imaging, anti-counterfeiting;Key characteristics:NIR excitation, visible emission, low background.
• TADF Materials:
  Applications: OLED displays, organic semiconductors;Key characteristics:high exciton utilization, low driving voltage.
• Long-Persistence Phosphors:
  Applications: emergency lighting, safety signs;Key characteristics: long afterglow, no external power needed.
• 2D Materials:
  Applications: electronics, flexible displays;Key characteristics:excellent electrical/optical properties, atomic thickness.

• Carbon Dots:
  Applications: biosensing, environmental monitoring;Key characteristics:good water solubility, low toxicity, multifunctional.

Dual-Laser Co-Excitation Module

It provides highly stable continuous-wave or pulsed laser output (power stability ≤ ±0.5% RMS), with wavelength coverage spanning 350–1550 nm, precisely matching the absorption transitions of luminescent centers such as Tm³⁺ and Er³⁺ (e.g., 1064 nm excitation for the ³H₆ → ³H₅ transition).

An integrated motorized polarization control unit enables rapid switching among linear, circular, and elliptical polarization states, fulfilling the requirements for polarization-dependent studies on anisotropic materials.

The dual-channel independent design supports either single-beam or synchronized dual-beam excitation (temporal synchronization accuracy < 1 ns), making it suitable for investigating complex photophysical processes such as upconversion cascades, cross-relaxation, and photon avalanche, thereby offering a quantifiable and reproducible excitation platform for cutting-edge luminescence mechanism research.

LED Beam Modulation Module

It employs a high-brightness single-band or multi-band composite LED light source, delivering incoherent excitation across a broad spectral range (365–940 nm) or narrow bands (full width at half maximum, FWHM: 15–40 nm), with low thermal impact, minimal phototoxicity, and high stability (power fluctuation ≤ ±1.0% RMS).

This makes it particularly well-suited for long-term dynamic observation of light-sensitive systems such as live cells, organic fluorescent dyes, and TADF (thermally activated delayed fluorescence) materials. Integrated with an motorized wavelength selection module, the system can switch to the desired excitation band in under 50 ms, effectively suppressing stray light interference.

Its uniform illumination mode significantly reduces the risk of photobleaching and enhances data reproducibility in broadband-response measurements, making it an ideal excitation solution for high-throughput screening, educational experiments, and combined laser-LED research applications.

Digital Imaging Module

Equipped with a scientific-grade sCMOS, EMCCD, or high-quantum-efficiency CCD camera (quantum efficiency > 82%, read noise ≤ 1.0 e⁻), the system delivers high sensitivity, low noise, and high frame rates, enabling clear capture of weak luminescence or transient dynamic signals.

It supports advanced imaging functions such as time-lapse acquisition, region-of-interest (ROI) imaging, and high dynamic range (HDR) imaging. A motorized, adjustable emission filter module positioned at the front end effectively suppresses background stray light, significantly enhancing image contrast and signal-to-noise ratio.

Whether for single-particle photoacoustic (PA) imaging (< 50 nm), cellular fluorescence distribution mapping, or large-area luminescence imaging, the system delivers professional-grade visualization results.

Spectral Resolution Acquisition Module
Covering a broad spectral range from 200 to 1700 nm, the module achieves a spectral resolution of better than 0.1 nm in the visible region, enabling precise resolution of fine spectral features such as multi-peak structures, Stokes shifts, and energy-level splitting.

It employs a high-transmission focusing optical path combined with low-loss fiber coupling technology to ensure efficient signal delivery to the spectral analysis unit.

The accompanying intelligent software automatically performs background subtraction, peak identification, multi-peak fitting, intensity normalization, and component deconvolution, and can generate professional reports—complete with spectral curves and key parameters—with a single click. This fully supports applications ranging from basic characterization to in-depth mechanistic studies.

Time-resolved detection module

Based on Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC) technology, the system achieves a time resolution better than 50 ps, enabling precise measurement of dynamic processes across the full timescale—from nanosecond fluorescence decays to second-scale afterglow emissions.

It supports simultaneous acquisition of multidimensional parameters such as rise time, decay lifetime, and delayed luminescence intensity, offering comprehensive insights into excited-state energy relaxation, charge transfer, or triplet-state evolution mechanisms.

Equipped with highly sensitive detectors—including avalanche photodiodes (APDs), single-photon counting modules (SPCMs), or high-speed photomultiplier tubes (PMTs)—the system delivers high signal-to-noise ratio lifetime curves even under extremely low-concentration or weak-emission conditions. It serves as an essential tool for dynamic studies of advanced luminescent materials such as TADF emitters, phosphors, upconversion systems, and quantum dots.

Multimodal Configuration Module

As the core control unit of the system, it integrates three spatial excitation pathways—upright, side-illumination, and inverted—and supports two types of light sources: laser and LED.

It enables rapid switching among five operational modes: single/dual-laser upright, single/dual-laser side-illumination, LED upright, LED side-illumination, and laser inverted. Through built-in electronically controlled optical-path deflection components—including dichroic mirrors, reflectors, and optical switches—the system dynamically reconfigures both excitation light delivery and emission signal collection.

Users can switch between modes in seconds without any manual optical alignment, significantly enhancing experimental efficiency, data consistency, and operational convenience.

Dual-laser co-excitation modulation module

Spectral resolution / time-resolved detection module

Digital imaging module

Multi-functional sample stage (with side excitation) 

Inverted sample excitation module

LED beam modulation module

Single-particle NaLuF₄:Tm photon avalanche (PA) imaging with spatial resolution < 5

The nonlinear exponent of NaLuF₄:Tm reaches 281,
significantly outperforming the NaYF₄ host matrix.

The 176 nm nanodisks exhibit an average optical nonlinearity exceeding 500,with highly reproducible performance.

Super-resolution reconstruction (<50 nm) using a single laser beam based on the PA effect

Diffraction-limited image (～300 nm), in stark contrast to the super-resolution result.

Raman peak blueshift >10 cm⁻¹, indicating an increase in phonon energy.

HAADF-STEM and EDS mapping confirm uniform elemental doping.

Multicolor PA probes for live-cell NIR-II super-resolution imaging.

Broad-spectrum upconversion emission covers the 450–1700 nm biological window.

Key rate parameter table: GSA/ESA/CR enabling quantitative modeling.

The ³F₄ metastable level has a lifetime of 95 μs, supporting efficient avalanche cycling.

Multipeak emission spectra resolve the luminescence behavior in blue, red, and NIR channels.

XANES confirms Tm is in the +3 oxidation state, with no valence defects.

Comprehensive overview of PA materials applications in anti-counterfeiting, displays, sensing, and beyond.

Multichannel PA imaging enables multiplexed biological detection.

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