Overview

	Next-Generation Detector Technology The SilVIR detector combines two advanced technologies—a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) and our patented* fast signal processing design. With this breakthrough detector technology at the core of our FV4000 and FV4000MPE systems, you can achieve much lower noise, higher sensitivity, and improved photon resolving capabilities. Get in Touch

Next-Generation Detector Technology

The SilVIR detector combines two advanced technologies—a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) and our patented* fast signal processing design. With this breakthrough detector technology at the core of our FV4000 and FV4000MPE systems, you can achieve much lower noise, higher sensitivity, and improved photon resolving capabilities.

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SilVIR Detector Technology

Silicon Photomultiplier

The detector’s silicon photomultiplier consists of multipixel Geiger-mode-operated avalanche photodiodes (APD). It can detect random incident photons simultaneously, enabling a higher photon detection efficiency for a wider range of wavelengths and dynamic range. It also provides quantitative data—the height of the output pulse precisely shows the number of detected photons.

Patented* Fast Signal Processing

Our digital signal processing utilizes an integrated circuit design featuring field-programmable gate array (FPGA) semiconductors within the high-speed analog/digital (A/D) converter.

It also shortens the SiPM decay curve and enables the accurate detection of the number of photons based on the height of each output pulse while simultaneously realizing very low noise below one photon.

*Patent number US11237047

Figure 1: Spectral sensitivity

Combined Power and Performance

Together, these technologies deliver linear and high dynamic range detection up to 2,000 photons/2 µs.

The detector’s photon detection efficiency is higher than the GaAsP PMT detectors traditionally used for high-sensitivity confocal imaging in all wavelengths. This enables the SilVIR detector to provide a superior signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio to bring your weak fluorescence signals to life.

And because SilVIR detectors are based on semiconductor technology, their sensitivity does not degrade and individual differences between different detectors are very small, helping ensure reliable, consistent results across time and users.

Read a whitepeper to learn more about the SilVIR detector

Captured with a GaAsP-PMT detector (left) vs captured with the SilVIR detector (right)	High-Quality Images, Even with Weak Fluorescence The FV4000 and FV4000MPE systems’ ability to capture weak fluorescence images surpasses that of previous-generation laser scanning systems. The SilVIR detector has very low noise and higher photon detection efficiency than traditional GaAsP-PMT detectors across the violet to near-infrared wavelength range, delivering better image quality, especially when acquiring dim fluorescence. You can capture vivid fluorescence images with a clear background without adjusting the offset. Higher sensitivity means you need less laser power, reducing photodamage to your samples. And when combined with our resonant scanner you can acquire high-quality, fast-frame-rate images in less time.

Captured with a GaAsP-PMT detector (left) vs captured with the SilVIR detector (right)

High-Quality Images, Even with Weak Fluorescence

The FV4000 and FV4000MPE systems’ ability to capture weak fluorescence images surpasses that of previous-generation laser scanning systems.

The SilVIR detector has very low noise and higher photon detection efficiency than traditional GaAsP-PMT detectors across the violet to near-infrared wavelength range, delivering better image quality, especially when acquiring dim fluorescence. You can capture vivid fluorescence images with a clear background without adjusting the offset. Higher sensitivity means you need less laser power, reducing photodamage to your samples. And when combined with our resonant scanner you can acquire high-quality, fast-frame-rate images in less time.

Game Changing Quantification

SilVIR detector technology enables you to precisely quantify image intensity for more reliable data. Imaging data is output as the number of photons, providing the absolute value of the fluorescence intensity for each image. The wider dynamic range provides accurate quantification of fluorescence intensity by photon number even at high intensity levels.

Figure 2: Dynamic range and Linearity

Captured with a GaAsP-PMT detector (left) vs captured with the SilVIR detector (right)	Experience the Full Dynamic Range of Fluorescence Instead of choosing to focus on either dim or bright fluorescence areas, the FV4000 and FV4000MPE microscopes can capture both in one image without saturation or loss of information thanks to the SilVIR detector’s high dynamic range. This allows accurate image analysis and processing with less work.

Captured with a GaAsP-PMT detector (left) vs captured with the SilVIR detector (right)

Experience the Full Dynamic Range of Fluorescence

Instead of choosing to focus on either dim or bright fluorescence areas, the FV4000 and FV4000MPE microscopes can capture both in one image without saturation or loss of information thanks to the SilVIR detector’s high dynamic range. This allows accurate image analysis and processing with less work.

Intuitive User-Interface and Workflows

The photomultiplier tubes traditionally used in confocal imaging require voltage adjustments depending on the sample’s brightness level as well as an offset adjustment to reduce signal noise. This requires expert knowledge and experience to make proper adjustments to acquire high-quality confocal images.

The SilVIR detector’s voltage is optimized for sensitivity and low noise at the factory, so you don’t need to make any voltage and offset adjustments—all you need to adjust is the laser power to achieve a certain photon number. Since the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio is proportional to the photon number, you can maintain consistent image quality by keeping the photon number constant.

Detector settings

Detector Settings

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Applications

Gustatory hair and Peudotrachea

Gustatory hair and Peudotrachea in Drosophila (42hours pupation)
Stained with Phalloidin (AlexaFluor 405, F-actin, Cyan), Anti-phosphotyrosine antibody (AlexaFluor 555, cell surface, red) anti-HRP antibody (AlexaFluor 647, axon, blue).
Sample Courtesy of: Sun Zhengkuan and Shigeo Hayashi, Laboratory for Morphogenetic Signaling, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Japan.

Tip of a Drosophila leg

Tip of a Drosophila leg (42-hour pupation), stained with phalloidin (AlexaFluor 405, F-actin, Cyan), anti-phosphotyrosine antibody (AlexaFluor 555, cell surface, red), and anti-HRP antibody (AlexaFluor 647, axon, blue).
Sample Courtesy of: Zhengkuan Sun, Shigeo Hayashi, Laboratory for Morphogenetic Signaling, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Japan.

Multicolor image of C. elegans hybrid strain of NeuroPAL strain and GCaMP strain

Multicolor image of C. elegans hybrid strain of NeuroPAL strain and GCaMP strain. NeuroPAL strain was generated by Eviatar Yemini and Oliver Hobert.
Courtesy of Kotaro Kimura; Graduate School of Science, Nagoya City University and Asuka Takeishi; Neural circuit of multisensory integration, RIKEN Hakubi Research Team.

Cos-7 cells: anti-Tubulin (Alexa Fluor 488; green).
Sample Courtesy of:Sample courtesy of Dr. Jana Döhner, Dr. Urs Ziegler, University of Zürich.

Cos-7 cells

Neurofilament-heavy chain (NFH) in green, myelin basic protein (MBP) in red, glutathione S-transferase pi 1 (GSTpi) in blue. Mouse cerebellum captured with a UPLXAPO10X objective.
Sample courtesy of Katherine Given, Ph.D. Principal Investigator, Neurobiology University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado

Overview image of a Drosophila wing (42-hour pupation). Stained with phalloidin (AlexaFluor 405, F-actin, Cyan), anti-phosphotyrosine antibody (AlexaFluor 555, cell surface, red), and anti-HRP antibody (AlexaFluor 647, axon, blue).
Sample courtesy of: Sun Zhengkuan, Shigeo Hayashi, Laboratory for Morphogenetic Signaling, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Japan.

Cos-7 cells

Cos-7 cells: anti-Tubulin (Alexa Fluor 488; green).
Sample Courtesy of:Sample courtesy of Dr. Jana Döhner, Dr. Urs Ziegler, University of Zürich.

Neurofilament-heavy chain (NFH) in green, myelin basic protein (MBP) in red, glutathione S-transferase pi 1 (GSTpi) in blue. Mouse cerebellum captured with a UPLXAPO10X objective.
Sample courtesy of Katherine Given, Ph.D. Principal Investigator, Neurobiology University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado

Overview image of a Drosophila wing (42-hour pupation). Stained with phalloidin (AlexaFluor 405, F-actin, Cyan), anti-phosphotyrosine antibody (AlexaFluor 555, cell surface, red), and anti-HRP antibody (AlexaFluor 647, axon, blue).
Sample courtesy of: Sun Zhengkuan, Shigeo Hayashi, Laboratory for Morphogenetic Signaling, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Japan.