SAN JOSE, CA—As part of its previously stated intention to expand beyond the telecom market, the New Focus division of Bookham, in collaboration with the company's Thin Film Products group, is transitioning its thin-film-filter technology into the life sciences market with the introduction of the Clarity line of fluorescence filters. Intended for life science analytical and diagnostic instruments for fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, DNA sequencing, microarrays and other fluorescence applications, the company says the Clarity filters enable rapid fluorescence measurements and higher instrument throughput, resulting in greater productivity for life-science OEMs and their customers.
According to the company, the ultra-dense Clarity coatings are designed to deliver both high transmission and high blocking in a single filter. In addition, they are insensitive to heat and humidity and are free of epoxies in the optical path that could autofluoresce or lead to eventual degradation. The Clarity product line complements the Bookham New Focus low-noise detectors, optomechanics, optics, lasers, and OEM photonics subassemblies already supplied to the life-science industry.
Bookham acquired New Focus in 2002.