Improvements in LED-based fluorescence analysis systems

This paper presents results from an electronic interface that significantly improves the stability, power output, and spectral flexibility of light emitting diode (LED)-based systems used to excite fluorescence or other forms of luminescence. LEDs are an attractive alternative to conventional white-light sources used in fluorescence analysis because of reduced power of operation, enhanced modularity, reduced optical loss, fewer imaging artifacts, and increased flexibility in spectral control without the need for high overhead optics. Drawbacks of previously presented LED-based systems include insufficient light output, instability (poor lifetime), and limited flexibility in broadband spectral output. T i o s o ©