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
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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.

Posted Comments:

Ludo Angot (posted 2021-11-01 18:00:40.323)

It's confusing that Thorlabs designed and manufactures a TLV-U-MF2 with many advantages over the OEM cube MDFM-MF2 (SM1 threads, a "simplified Assembly and Improved Filter Retention Compared to OEM Cubes") but, per YLohia comment posted 2019-08-05, made it incompatible with Thorlabs' own WFA2001 and WFA2002. Any chance to make the TLV-U-MF2 compatible with the WFA2001/2? (from the CAD drawings it's not obvious what makes them unfit).

azandani (posted 2021-11-10 02:45:17.0)

Hello Ludo, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. According to the specs, this product should be compatible without any issue.

Min Beom Lee (posted 2021-05-20 15:18:07.817)

What is a model name of filter cube for Zeiss microscope (Axio Imager Z2 or Z1)

YLohia (posted 2021-05-20 10:33:43.0)

Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. Unfortunately, these filter cubes are not directly compatible with Zeiss microscopes. We will consider offering versions of these compatible with Zeiss in the future.

Michael Isselstein (posted 2020-03-09 17:15:40.787)

For your "customer inspired" section: It would sometimes be useful for some applications to be able to buy Filter Cubes that hold thicker Dichroics (2-3mm)

YLohia (posted 2020-03-09 02:43:45.0)

Hello Michael, thank you for your feedback. I have posted your suggestion on our internal engineering forum for further consideration as a future product.

hj wang (posted 2019-10-17 15:59:00.583)

Is tlv-te2000 compatible with eclipse 80i microscopes?

YLohia (posted 2019-10-17 10:15:18.0)

Yes, the TLV-TE2000 is indeed compatible with the Nikon Eclipse 80i microscope. This information can be found in the Overview tab, under the "Compatible Microscopes" column of the specs table.

user (posted 2019-08-05 13:53:58.94)

We do not think this does not happen "The TLV-U-MF2 is not compatible with the WFA2001" But we would like to confirm.

YLohia (posted 2019-08-05 04:09:08.0)

Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. We could not find a reference to the statement, "The TLV-U-MF2 is not compatible with the WFA2001" on our website or documentation. That being said, this cube is not compatible with the WFA2001. Please contact your local Thorlabs Tech Support branch if you have further questions.

Ryan Wu (posted 2019-04-17 09:16:29.927)

Are there any Thorlabs adaptors to mount MDFM-TE2000 or MDFM-QFXL to 30-mm cage system?

YLohia (posted 2019-04-17 10:56:04.0)

Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. These cubes are designed to be interfaced with industry microscope and not intended to be used with our cage system. Is there any particular reason the DFM1 (filter cube designed for our cage system) wouldn't work for you?

wenzel.jakob (posted 2018-03-27 09:43:17.953)

Can the Thorlabs-built filter cubes (e.g. TLV-TE2000) accommodate 25.4mm filters? (The use of SM1 retaining rings seems to suggest this, but I am not sure..)

tcampbell (posted 2018-03-28 08:46:56.0)

Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. Yes, our filter cubes have SM1 threading and are compatible with Ø25.4 mm (Ø1.00") optics as well as Ø25.0 mm optics. We will update the presentation to make this clearer. Keep in mind that the optic thickness should be no greater than 5 mm or 3.5 mm, depending on the side of the cube.

aklossek (posted 2017-10-20 16:11:38.51)

Dear ladies and gentlemen, can you please confirm that the filter cube TLV-U-FF is operating in the Olympus IX83 microscope. Kind regards André Klossek

nbayconich (posted 2017-10-25 03:26:08.0)

Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. The TLV-U-FF should be compatible with all of Olympus's IX3 series inverted microscopes. If the TLV-U-FF does not fit properly in your IX83 we can accept a return. I will contact you directly with more information.

user (posted 2013-11-12 16:14:13.657)

Is it possible to buy any of the filter cube components separately? Some of the emission filter holders for my Nikon (TE2000) filter cubes are broken, and I do not need the whole cube, just the emission filter holder bit.

tcohen (posted 2013-11-21 11:39:48.0)

Response from Tim at Thorlabs: Yes, we can supply the individual components. I see you did not leave an email address for us to provide a quote, so please contact us at Techsupport@thorlabs.com if you would like to pursue this option.

jjurado (posted 2011-07-14 10:53:00.0)

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to Elisabeth.Liebler-Tenorio: Although we currently do not offer filter cubes specifically designed for Leica microscopes, we will look into adding these to our current line. In the meantime, I will contact you directly to help you find a solution for your application.

Elisabeth.Liebler-Tenorio (posted 2011-07-13 13:51:56.0)

Can you offer also filter cubes for a Leica DM RBE microscope. Size of cubes "L", cubes A4, L5, N3 and Y5?

jjurado (posted 2011-05-27 10:13:00.0)

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to anonymous poster: Thank you for your reply. Please contact us at techsupport@thorlabs.com to discuss the details of your application. Perhaps we can devise a solution for adapting these cubes to our cage system.

user (posted 2011-05-27 00:28:43.0)

Youre missing the point. I have lots of preloaded Oly, etc filtercubes in microscope turrets and stored on the shelf. It would be nice to pop these into a tabletop adapter rather than taking the filtercube apart, extracting the filters, and then taking a Thor cage/cube assembly apart and then remounting them and reinstalling them in a Thor tabletop setup. A filtercube-ready adaptor would be much much more convenient.

jjurado (posted 2011-05-05 11:17:00.0)

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to last poster: Thank you very much for your feedback. We actually offer a variety of components that allow for mounting dichroic filters (26-43 mm long) and 1" diameter excitation/emission filters onto an optical table. Please visit the link below and review the descriptions for part numbers FFM1, B5C, and C4W. These components can easily be mounted onto an optical table via an 8-32 threaded post. http://www.thorlabs.com/NewGroupPage9.cfm?ObjectGroup_ID=3929 Please contact us at techsupport@thorlabs.com if you have any further questions or comments.

user (posted 2011-05-04 16:55:22.0)

How about a tabletop mount for these cubes?

Thorlabs Microscopy Filter Cubes

Zoom

Click to Enlarge

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.

OEM Microscopy Filter Cubes

Zoom

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
MDFM-MF2	Olympus U-MF2	Thorlabs	Cerna^® Epi-Fluorescence Microscopes with WFA2001 or WFA2002 Epi-Illuminator Module				MDFM-MF2 Manual
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