Custom vs Catalog Semrock Optical Filter Options

Optical Filter Options

Deciding on a set of optical filters for a new fluorescence-based product is a complex task that requires careful planning to assure a successful outcome. Complicating factors include the need for fast timeline, reliable production, and budget constraints. IDEX Health & Science has empowered this search process with its line of Semrock^® optical filters.

Our process is based on three key assets: Team, Tools, and Technology.

Team: Our staff of Application Scientists who understand your requirements, with years of collaborations with engineers and scientists on simple to sophisticated projects, backed up by our expert RD&E staff who design the filters with innovative approaches.

Tools: Our software that both customers and team use to model filter behavior. Key among these is SearchLight^™, a simulation tool for modeling the spectral behavior of your optical system, including filters, excitation sources, microscope components, fluorophores, and detectors. SearchLight allows you to flexibly refine filter specifications, model system behavior, and drive optimization.

Technology: Our system that continues to produce the most reliable and highest performance optical filters in our industry, based on our Manufacturable Specifications approach and employing our KolaDeep^™ Spectral Measurement System.

Learn about partnering with us by exploring your filter options: catalog, custom, or hybrid.

Filter Options: Catalog

Catalog filters are designed for use in standard microscopes, or in similar optical systems having an AOI Range near 5° at the bandpass filters.

Our catalog database offers hundreds of catalog filters.

Pros: Fast delivery and customizable (see sidebars)
Cons: Limited to the more standard fluorophores; custom filters may be better matches to price / performance requirements.

The SearchLight analysis tool can be most helpful here, as its database has spectra of all catalog filters, fluorophores, etc., and your team can easily collaborate with each other and with our Applications Scientists through shared SearchLight sessions. Click the link for the SearchLight session shown in the illustration below, to explore its features. The MyLight^™ tool, found on the webpage of each catalog filter, can be used to model the effect of AOI on spectra and polarization.

New Lead Times for 2025

2-5 business days delivery for guaranteed in-stock catalog filters and sets
1 week for custom filter design quotation
4 weeks delivery for custom coatings
A minimum order quantity as low as 1 to 10 filters

Easily Customize Your Catalog Filters

Custom sizes
Nonstandard dimensional tolerances
Custom Clear Aperture
Edge blackening
Colored paint part marking

Filter Options: Custom

Can’t find the filters you need in our catalog? We offer custom coating filter designs tailored specifically to your system needs. Though the initial prototype filter cost will be higher than using standard catalog filters, it can often save money in the long term by assuring you immediately get the features you need.

Pros: Exactly what the system demands, optimized for specific format, light sources, fluorophores, and detectors, with no need for updates once the system transitions from prototype to production
Cons: Slightly longer lead time (but still exceptionally fast), higher initial investment

Filter Options: Hybrid Catalog / Custom

An alternative is to choose a hybrid mixture of catalog and custom filters.

Pros: Reduces the initial investment and development time with a smaller number of custom filters
Cons: Slightly longer lead time (but still exceptionally fast), higher investment in prototyping

Custom vs Catalog Filters