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We have been and are using Xenon bulbs like the XBO 75W/OFR for fura-2
measurements since around 15 years with filter wheel systems and
monochromators and they clearly are very well suited. Xenon bulbs are
used in different monochromators like from cairn or Till photonics. The
flat spectrum is an advantage compared to HBO as choosing an excitation
right beside an strong power peak with an HBO can result in an off
center excitation compared to what you expect from your excitation
filter. Output power from the Xenon source was for applications
high enough (except for fast FRET partner bleaching) and the lifetime of
the bulbs is comparable to HBO. For ratiometric work do not forget that
there is a tendency that the excitation ratio intensity in the UV is
changing with bulb age. This then can result in a slow change of resting
fura-2 ratio over the lifetime of the bulb.

Roland


___________________________
Nitschke, Roland Dr.
Life Imaging Center
Institute of Biology
Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg
Hauptstr.1
D-79104 Freiburg
Germany
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phone: 49-761-2032934 or 2902
fax: 49-761-2032941
http://www.sfb592.uni-freiburg.de/z2/index.html