Impact of filters in the simulation and optimization of fluorescence analysis instrumentation: SLAP

Improvements to a comprehensive simulation program, simulated LED aggregation program (SLAP), for the design and optimization of fluorescence analysis systems have been implemented. The inclusion of excitation and emission filters in SLAP enables the user increased flexibility in designing a fluorescence analysis system to be implemented in a modular LED-based architecture. Improvements to the program allow the user to consider the sample, optical path, and filters in the optimization of the two primary characteristics of the emission signal (total signal strength and spectral overlap or interference with the excitation signal). Representative results using EGFP as the targeted fluorophore and an XF100-2 Omega Optics filter set demonstrate a 99.7% improvement in interference with only a 70% loss in total emission signal. SLAP pinpoints the optimal trade-off between total signal and interference (noise) in a comprehensive analysis of potential system configurations to meet targeted fluorescence analysis instrumentation needs