Thorlabs Inc.
Visit the Microscope Filter Cubes page for pricing and availability information

Microscope Filter Cubes

  • Thorlabs and OEM Fluorescence Filter Cubes
  • Compatible with Select Thorlabs' Cerna®, Olympus, and Nikon Microscopes
  • Drop-In Compatibility and Hassle-Free Optic Exchange
  • Filter Pre-Mounting Available

TLV-U-MF2

Thorlabs Cube for Olympus
AX, BX2, and IX2 Microscopes

MDFM-QFXL

OEM Cube for Nikon E200-1000 and TE200 Microscopes

TLV-TE2000

Thorlabs Cube for Nikon TE2000 and Eclipse Ti Microscopes

Application Idea

Thorlabs' TLV-TE2000 Filter Cube
with MDF-YFP Filter Set

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OVERVIEW


Click to Enlarge

Thorlabs’ filter cubes (top) retain the dichroic beamsplitter using a spring plate that applies force evenly, putting less stress on the optic compared to OEM cubes (bottom). The spring plate is also premounted on the cube, simplifying the assembly process.

Click to Enlarge

Thorlabs' filter cubes feature labels for identifying installed filters.

Features

  • Drop-in Filter Cubes for Select Thorlabs' Cerna®, Nikon, and Olympus Microscopes
  • Advantages of Thorlabs-Manufactured Cubes Over OEM Cubes:
    • Reduced Dichroic Mirror/Beamsplitter Distortion for Improved Image Quality
    • Simplified Hassle-Free Optic Mounting
  • Easily Mount Fluorescence Imaging Filter Sets: Emission Filter, Excitation Filter, and Dichroic Mirror
  • Filter Cubes with Pre-Installed Filters Available

We offer Thorlabs and OEM Drop-In Filter Cubes for select Cerna, Olympus, and Nikon fluorescence microscopes. Each filter cube holds one Fluorescence Filter Set, which includes an excitation filter, emission filter, and dichroic mirror/beamsplitter. Optics can be mounted, aligned, and swapped out easily, following the videos and assembly instructions below. Please see the compatibility tables below to determine the correct filter cube for your application.

Compared to OEM filter cubes, Thorlabs' filter cube design features improved dichroic mirror retention for lower optic distortion, simplified optic mounting (see photo to the right), and three engraved labels for writing information about installed filters (see photo above).

These drop-in filter cubes are offered as empty mounts. The filter cubes are compatible with excitation filters (Ø25 mm, up to 5 mm thick), emission filters (Ø25 mm, up to 3.5 mm thick), and dichroic mirrors (maximum sizes vary, please see below for details) which are commonly used in applications targeting specific fluorophores. Select filter sets are available pre-installed into Thorlabs' filter cubes here. For other filters and custom requests, please contact Technical Support.

Note: Thorlabs does not guarantee compatibility with other industry-standard microscopes not mentioned on this webpage.


Hide Thorlabs Microscopy Filter Cubes

Thorlabs Microscopy Filter Cubes

  • Simplified Assembly and Improved Filter Retention Compared to OEM Cubes
  • Compatible with Olympus and Nikon Microscopes (See Table Below)
  • Durable Aluminum Filter Cube Body
  • Designed for Use with Thorlabs' and Third-Party Fluorescence Filter Sets
  • Side Labels for Marking Installed Filters

Thorlabs' filter cubes feature a spring plate retention mechanism for the dichroic mirror that results in lower optic stress for improved imaging. Our design also offers an all-aluminum cube body, simplified optic mounting, and three labels for writing information about installed filters. Each cube is also engraved with the item number. Refer to the table below to view which filter cubes are compatible with which microscope. These cubes are also available with pre-installed imaging filter sets.

Each filter cube holds one set of fluorescence filters: an excitation filter, an emission filter, and a dichroic mirror; see table below for compatible sizes. Optics can be mounted, aligned, and swapped out easily as illustrated in the video to the right. For detailed assembly instructions, please refer to the assembly manuals in the table below.

The excitation and emission filters are mounted using the included SM1RR Retaining Rings and an SM1 spanner wrench, such as the SPW606 (sold separately). The use of SM1RR retaining rings across all filter cubes makes it easier to replace lost or damaged rings. The filter cube bodies may be disassembled for optic installation or removal using a #1 Phillips screwdriver.

Note that the OEM filter cubes sold below utilize plastic in their construction, while these filter cubes have aluminum bodies. When mixed in a filter cube turret, it is important to balance the weight. To ensure longevity of a motorized filter cube turret and prevent unnecessary wear, please place matching filter cubes opposing each other to maintain balance.

Item # Microscope
Manufacturer
Compatible Microscopes Compatible
Exitation
Filter Size
Compatible
 Emission
Filter Size
Maximum Compatible
Dichroic Mirror Size
Assembly Manual
TLV-U-MF2 Olympus AX, BX2, and IX2 Series Ø25 mm or Ø1",
Up to 5 mm thick
Ø25 mm or Ø1",
Up to 3.5 mm thick
25.2 mm x 36.0 mm x 1.1 mm TLV-U-MF2 Manual
TLV-U-FF Olympus BX3 and IX3 Series TLV-U-FF Manual
TLV-TE2000 Nikon TE2000, 50i, 55i, 80i, 90i, Eclipse Ti, and
Epi-Fluor Illuminator Scopes
TLV-TE2000 Manual

Please contact Tech Support with questions regarding other cube compatibility, mounting, and filter options. Thorlabs does not guarantee compatibility with other industry-standard microscopes not mentioned on this wepage.


Part Number
Description
Price
Availability
TLV-U-MF2
Customer Inspired! Microscopy Cube Assembly for Olympus AX, BX2, and IX2 Microscopes
$534.56
Today
TLV-U-FF
Customer Inspired! Microscopy Cube Assembly for Olympus BX3 and IX3
$534.56
Today
TLV-TE2000
Customer Inspired! Microscopy Cube Assembly for Nikon TE2000 and Eclipse Ti
$482.30
Today

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OEM Microscopy Filter Cubes


Installation of Filters into the MDFM-MF2 Cube
  • OEM Filter Cubes from Olympus and Nikon
  • Interchangeable with Thorlabs Microscopy Cubes (Sold Above)
  • Designed for Use with Thorlabs' and Third-Party Fluorescence Filter Sets

These OEM Filter Cubes are manufactured by Olympus and Nikon. Each filter cube holds one set of fluorescence filters: an excitation filter (Ø25 mm, up to 5 mm thick), an emission filter (Ø25 mm, up to 3.5 mm thick), and a dichroic mirror (up to 25.2 mm x 36.0 mm x 1.0 mm). Optics can be mounted, aligned, and swapped out easily as illustrated in the video to the right. Each filter cube body may be disassembled for optic installation or removal using a Phillips head screwdriver. For detailed assembly instructions, please refer to the assembly manuals in the table below.

Thorlabs' Filter Cubes (sold above) are interchangeable with these OEM cubes and offer a number of design improvements, including simplified mounting and reduced dichroic mirror stress for improved imaging.

Note that these OEM filter cubes utilize plastic in their construction, while Thorlabs' filter cubes (sold above) have aluminum bodies. When mixed in a filter cube turret, it is important to balance the weight. To ensure longevity of a motorized filter cube turret and prevent unnecessary wear, please place matching filter cubes opposing each other to maintain balance.

Item # Manufacturer
Part #
Microscope
Manufacturer
Compatible Microscopes Compatible
Exitation
Filter Size
Compatible
Emission
Filter Size
Maximum Compatible
Dichroic Mirror Size
Assembly Manual
MDFM-MF2 Olympus U-MF2 Olympus AX, BX2, and IX2 series Ø25 mm or Ø1",
Up to 5 mm thick
Ø25 mm or Ø1",
Up to 3.5 mm thick
25.2 mm x 36.0 mm x 1.0 mm MDFM-MF2
Manual
Thorlabs Cerna® Epi-Fluorescence Microscopes with
WFA2001 or WFA2002 Epi-Illuminator Module
MDFM-QFXL Nikon Quadfluor Nikon E200, E400, E600, E800, E1000, TS100,
TS100F, TE200, TE300, ME600L, L150A Scopes
MDFM-QFXL Manual
MDFM-TE2000 Nikon TE2000 Nikon TE2000, 50i, 55i, 80i, 90i, Eclipse Ti,
and Epi-Fluor Illuminator Scopes
MDFM-TE2000 Manual

Please contact Tech Support with questions regarding other cube compatibility, mounting, and filter options. Thorlabs does not guarantee compatibility with other industry-standard microscopes not mentioned on this wepage.


Part Number
Description
Price
Availability
MDFM-MF2
OEM Microscopy Cube Assembly for Olympus AX, BX2, IX2, and Thorlabs Cerna Microscopes with WFA2001 or WFA2002 Epi-Illuminator Module
$574.94
Today
MDFM-QFXL
OEM Microscopy Cube Assembly for Nikon E200-1000, TE200
$565.46
Lead Time
MDFM-TE2000
OEM Microscopy Cube Assembly for Nikon TE2000 and Eclipse Ti
$565.46
Today