High-Powered, High-Stability LED Light System LEX5
The LEX5 is a high-output, highly stable LED light source system developed for basic biological research.
By combining high-output LED chips with an optical feedback mechanism, the LEX5 delivers both output intensity that surpasses conventional lamp sources and the light intensity stability required for highly reproducible measurements.
With a rich lineup of wavelengths ranging from UV to infrared, the LEX5 supports demanding experimental applications such as high-speed imaging and optogenetics.
Applications
- Membrane potential imaging using VSD or GEVI
- Calcium imaging
- GCaMP imaging
- Intrinsic optical signal (IOS) imaging
- Channelrhodopsin (ChR2), halorhodopsin (NpHR), and others
- Use with fluorescence microscopes from various manufacturers
- Experiments requiring high-brightness and high-stability illumination
Key Features
- Diverse LED wavelength lineup
- Compatible with a wide range of fluorescent probes
- High output
- 450 mW/cm² (LEX5-G, 100% output, no filter)
- High stability
- Light intensity variation of less than 0.3%
- Two lighting modes
- High-stability mode (continuous illumination) and high-speed mode (rapid strobe illumination)
- Three lighting control methods
- Manual / external signal / software
Features
Compatible with a Wide Range of Fluorescent Probes — Diverse LED Lineup
Six standard wavelengths are available from 405 nm to 620 nm, including white, along with five optional wavelengths. The wavelength can be selected to match fluorescence probes, such as calcium indicators, voltage-sensitive dyes, or fluorescent proteins.
-
Available LED unit center wavelengths 405 nm / 460 nm / 530 nm / 580 nm / 620 nm
(Optional: 500 nm / 730 nm / 780 nm / 875 nm / 940 nm)
Clear Fluorescence Signal Even at High Frame Rates — High Output
A maximum of approximately 450 mW/cm² (LEX5-G, 100% output, no filter) is achieved at the light guide emission port. Even during high-speed imaging, clear fluorescence signals with suppressed noise can be obtained.
-
Comparison of light intensity (mW/cm2) between
LEX5-G green LED Light system and
150W halogen lamp system (with green filter) at 100% intensity.
Minimize Unnecessary Noise in Biological Signals — High Stability via Optical Feedback
A built-in photodiode continuously monitors light output and automatically compensates in real time for light intensity fluctuations caused by LED temperature rise. This “OFB (Optical Feedback) mode” suppresses light intensity drift over 30 seconds to within ±0.3%, eliminating the need for re-measurement or data correction even during long-duration experiments.
-
Brightness variation during 30 seconds of continuous
illumination in OFB mode at 100% brightness. Measured using the
high-speed CCD imaging system MiCAM02-HR (measured at 100 fps
for 30 seconds, 4-frame average)
Two Lighting Modes: High-Stability Continuous and Rapid Strobe Illumination
| Application | Mode | Description | Example Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-stability, continuous illumination | OFB (Optical Feedback) mode | Ideal for temporally stable illumination; suited for observations requiring high quantitative accuracy. |
|
| High-speed, pulsed illumination | CC (Constant Current) mode | Prioritizes response speed; effective for experiments requiring high-speed pulsed illumination. |
|
Smooth Integration into Existing Systems — Three Lighting Control Methods
The lighting control method can be selected to match the experimental apparatus and protocol in use, allowing adoption without changing existing operational workflows.
| Lighting Control Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Manual operation | Intuitive operation via a dial and switch on the front panel. |
| External signal synchronization | Synchronizes illumination with trigger output (>1.4 V) from a camera or pulse generator via BNC terminal. |
| Software | Enables precise remote control of light intensity (in 0.5% steps) and lighting mode from a PC connected via USB using dedicated software. |
Connect to a PC using the USB mini-B port on the LEX5 front panel. Using the dedicated software, illumination on/off, light intensity values, lighting mode, and remote/local switching (software or front panel) can all be controlled.
-
Screen of LEX5 control software
LED Wavelength Characteristics and Built-in Fluorescence Filter
A broad selection of wavelengths is available to accommodate diverse fluorescent probes.
| Standard wavelengths | 405 nm (UV) / 460 nm (B) / 530 nm (G) / 580 nm (Y) / 620 nm (R) / White |
|---|---|
| Optional wavelengths | 500 nm / 730 nm / 780 nm / 875 nm / 940 nm |
A 25 mm fluorescence filter is installed inside the LEX5. Our recommended fluorescence filters may be used, or replaced with a different filter to suit specific experimental conditions.
Dimensions
W 182 mm x D 242 mm x H 100 mm
Specifications
Center Wavelength and Approximate Light Intensity
| Product Name | Part Number | Center Wavelength |
Approx. Light Intensity (Note 1) 100% Output |
Approx. Light Intensity (Note 1) 120% Output |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-Powered, High-Stability LED Light Source LEX5-UV | LEX5-UV | 405 nm | — | — |
| High-Powered, High-Stability LED Light Source LEX5-B | LEX5-B | 460 nm | — | — |
| High-Powered, High-Stability LED Light Source LEX5-G | LEX5-G | 530 nm | 450 mW/cm² | 490 mW/cm² |
| High-Powered, High-Stability LED Light Source LEX5-Y | LEX5-Y | 580 nm | — | — |
| High-Powered, High-Stability LED Light Source LEX5-R | LEX5-R | 620 nm | — | — |
| High-Powered, High-Stability LED Light Source LEX5-W | LEX5-W | White | — | — |
(Note 1) Using OFB mode. Values measured at the emission port with a straight light guide connected (glass material, bundle diameter 10 mm, fiber length 2,200 mm).
Main Specifications
| Item | Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Product Name | High-Powered, High-Stability LED Light Source LEX5 | |
| Part Number | LEX5-UV / LEX5-B / LEX5-G / LEX5-Y / LEX5-R / LEX5-W | |
| Center Wavelength | 405 nm / 460 nm / 530 nm / 580 nm / 620 nm / White | Optional: 500 nm / 730 nm / 780 nm / 875 nm / 940 nm |
| Number of Built-in LEDs | 1 | |
| Mountable Filter | 25 mm fluorescence filter × 1 | Installed inside the unit |
| Intensity Control (Manual) | Coarse: 0–120% / Fine: 0–10% | CC mode recommended above 100% |
| Intensity Control (Software) | 0–120% | CC mode recommended above 100% |
| Lighting Control | Manual switch / External signal input (>1.4 V) / Software | |
| Lighting Mode |
CC (Constant Current) mode OFB (Optical Feedback) mode |
Optimal for pulsed illumination Optimal for continuous illumination |
| Drift of Light Intensity (30s) (Note 2) | < ±0.3% | |
| Light Intensity Noise | < ±0.01% | |
| Intensity Stabilization System | Photodiode feedback circuit | |
| LED Protection System | Overcurrent suppression circuit and overheat suppression circuit | |
| Safety Mechanism |
Key-operated activation control Light guide connector interlock system |
|
| Input Terminals |
BNC terminal (for illumination control) × 1 USB mini-B terminal (for software control) × 1 |
|
| Cooling Method | Heat sink and electric fan | |
| Operating Environment |
Indoor use temperature 0–35°C relative humidity 0–70% |
|
| Dimensions / Weight | W 182 mm × D 242 mm × H 100 mm / 2.7 kg | |
| Power Supply / Power Consumption | 100–220 V AC / 100 W | |
| Fuse | T2A L250V | |
| Package Contents |
LEX5 main unit, power cable USB 2.0 cable, control software |
|
| Software Requirements | Windows 11 64-bit | |
| Recommended Light Guide (sold separately) |
For epi-illumination: Moritex MSG10-2200S For side illumination: Moritex MWG7-1000S For side illumination: Brainvision MWG7-2000S |
Inquire for other light guides |
| Microscope Adapter (sold separately) |
Brainvision's mesoscope Olympus, Nikon, Leica, Zeiss fluorescence microscopes |
* Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice due to continuous improvements.