Features

• Illumination Source for Microscope Epi-Illumination Ports, Projectors, and Custom Imaging Systems
• Optimized Thermal Management Provides Output Intensity Stability
• Adjustable Aspheric Collimation Optic with Low f/# (Approximately 0.8)
• Integrated Identification Chip (EEPROM) Stores LED Operating Parameters
• 4-Pin Female Mating Connector for Custom Power Supplies can be Purchased Separately
• Custom Housings Available - Contact Tech Support for Details

Thorlabs' collimated LED assemblies can be easily connected to standard and epi-illumination ports on most readily available commercial microscopes, including Leica, Olympus, Nikon, and Zeiss. Each collimated LED consists of a high-power mounted LED and a lamphouse-port-compatible housing that contains an AR-coated aspheric collimation optic (see the Specs tab for details). The collimation of the beam can be adjusted by changing the postition of the aspheric lens with respect to the LED. Interchanging LEDs is easy; simply unscrew one LED from the housing and replace it with a different mounted LED (purchased separately). If the wavelength you require is not sold on this page, our mounted high-power LEDs are available in additional wavelengths. We also offer collimation packages which can be purchased separately from these LEDs, including a collimation adapter for the Nikon Eclipse Ti.

Like our high-power mounted LEDs, the package of these collimated LEDs is in direct contact with the heat sink to provide excellent thermal management. This minimizes the degradation of optical output power caused by increased LED temperatures. Please see the Stability tab for information on the stable output intensity of these collimated LEDs.

Information concerning compatible controllers is provided on the LED Drivers tab. If the LED is driven with a DC2100, DC4100, and DC4104 controller, the integrated EEPROM chip will identify the LED and allow the controller to automatically set the proper current limits in order to protect the LED from being overdriven. The DC4100 and the DC4104 require the DC4100-HUB when used with these LEDs.

LED Specifications

• Due to variations in the manufacturing process and operating parameters such as temperature and current, the actual spectral output of any given LED will vary. Output plots and center wavelength specs are only intended to be used as a guideline. Click here to download spectrum data.
• The nominal wavelength indicates the wavelength at which the LED appears brightest to the human eye. This may not correspond to the peak wavelength as measured by a spectrograph.
• For the bare LED. See the table below for total beam power with the collimation package.
• The MCWHL2-C LEDs may not turn off completely when modulated at frequencies above 5 kHz, as the white light is produced by optically stimulating emission from phosphor.
• Correlated color temperature. The wavelength range corresponding to >10% power is approximately 435 - 675 nm.

Specifications for LED with Collimating Microscope Adapter Attached

• Standard or Epi-Illumination Port Required.
• Due to variations in the manufacturing process and operating parameters such as temperature and current, the total beam power, beam diameter, and beam area of any given LED will vary.
• At the output aperture of the collimation package.

Click to Enlarge

Optimized Thermal Management

The thermal dissipation performance of these collimated LEDs has been optimized for stable power output. The heat sink is directly mounted to the LED mount so as to provide optimal thermal contact. By doing so, the degradation of optical output power that can be attributed to increased LED junction temperature is minimized (see the graph to the right).

Pin Connection - Male

The diagram to the right shows the male connector of the collimated LED assembly. It is a standard M8 x 1 sensor circular connector. Pins 1 and 2 are the connection to the LED. Pin 3 and 4 are used for the internal EEPROM in these LEDs. If using an LED driver that was not purchased from Thorlabs, be careful that the appropriate connections are made to Pin 1 and Pin 2 and that you do not attempt to drive the LED through the EEPROM pins.

Compatible Drivers	LEDD1B	DC2100a	DC4100a, b, c	DC4104a, b, c
Click Photos to Enlarge
Max LED Driver Current Output	1.2 A	2.0 A	1.0 A per Channel	1.0 A per Channel
Max Modulation Frequency Using External Input	5 kHz	100 kHzd	100 kHzd (Simultaneous Across all Channels)	100 kHzd (Independently Controlled Channels)
Interface	Analog	USB 2.0	USB 2.0	USB 2.0
Main Driver Features	Very Compact Footprint 60 mm x 73 mm x 104 mm (W x H x D)	Individual Pulse Width Control	4 Channelsc	4 Channelsc
EEPROM Compatible: Reads Out LED Data for LED Settings	-	x	x	x
LCD Display	-	x	x	x

• Automatically limits to LEDs max current via EEPROM readout.
• LED sources with a forward voltage of greater than 5 V are not compatible with DC4100 or DC4104.
• The DC4100 or DC4104 can power and control up to four LEDs simultaneously when used with the DC4100-HUB. The LEDs on this page all require the DC4100-HUB when used with the DC4100 or DC4104.
• The MCWHL2-C LEDs may not turn off completely when modulated at frequencies above 5 kHz, as the white light is produced by optically stimulating emission from phosphor.

Note: The LEDs on this page are not compatible with the DC3100 driver sold with our Modulated LEDs for FLIM Microscopy kits.