BP550nm Bandpass Filter | FWHM 12nm, Thickness 2.0mm

The BP550-12nm-2.0mm bandpass filter represents advanced optical engineering for applications demanding exceptional wavelength precision in the yellow-green spectral region. This ultra-narrow bandpass filter features an extraordinarily tight 12nm full width at half maximum (FWHM) centered at 550nm, providing superior spectral discrimination for multi-channel fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and precision spectroscopy applications. With a precisely controlled transmission window spanning just 548-552nm and comprehensive blocking from 350-1100nm at transmission less than 1%, this filter enables clean signal isolation in spectrally crowded detection environments. The robust 2.0mm substrate thickness ensures mechanical stability, thermal performance, and long-term reliability in demanding laboratory and industrial settings. Manufactured by OPTOStokes using advanced high precision coating technology, this filter delivers the performance and consistency required by leading research institutions and instrument manufacturers worldwide.

Technical Specifications

The BP550-12nm-2.0mm filter achieves exceptional spectral control through precision multi-layer coating design and rigorous manufacturing quality control. The following table provides complete technical specifications:

Key Performance Features

This ultra-narrow 550nm longpass region filter demonstrates exceptional spectral performance optimized for yellow-green wavelength applications. The remarkably narrow 12nm FWHM provides outstanding wavelength selectivity, enabling precise isolation of fluorophore emissions in the densely populated 540-560nm spectral region. This superior spectral resolution is essential for multi-parameter flow cytometry, multi-color fluorescence imaging, and high-resolution spectroscopy where closely spaced emission peaks must be cleanly separated.

The precisely controlled transmission window spanning just 548-552nm represents an extraordinarily tight passband, offering wavelength discrimination that exceeds conventional optical filters by significant margins. Peak transmission greater than 90% within this narrow window ensures maximum signal collection efficiency despite the restrictive bandwidth. This combination of narrow passband and high transmission is achieved through advanced coating design algorithms and precision deposition control, resulting in exceptional signal-to-noise ratios for photon-limited detection scenarios.

Comprehensive blocking performance with transmission below 1% (optical density greater than 2) extends across the full 350-1100nm spectral range, effectively suppressing UV autofluorescence, rejecting excitation light scatter, blocking adjacent fluorescence channels, and eliminating near-infrared background signals. This broad-spectrum rejection ensures clean signal detection even when operating with intense excitation sources, highly fluorescent samples, or detectors with extended spectral sensitivity. The deep blocking is particularly critical in the 515-545nm and 555-580nm regions where adjacent fluorescence channels commonly reside.

The robust 2.0mm substrate thickness provides enhanced mechanical rigidity and thermal stability compared to thinner substrates. This substantial thickness facilitates secure mounting in precision optical assemblies, reduces temperature-induced wavelength drift during operation, and enables reliable performance in high-power laser applications. The increased substrate mass improves thermal dissipation, maintaining spectral stability during extended measurement sessions or temperature-variable experimental protocols.

Applications

The BP550-12nm-2.0mm bandpass filter excels across demanding scientific and industrial applications requiring precise wavelength control in the yellow-green spectral region:

Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy: This filter provides optimal performance for detecting yellow-green fluorophores including YFP (Yellow Fluorescent Protein), Cy3, Alexa Fluor 546, TRITC, and rhodamine derivatives. The ultra-narrow 12nm bandwidth enables clean separation from green GFP/FITC channels at 515-530nm and orange/red channels at 570-590nm, essential for multi-color imaging experiments in cell biology, neuroscience, and developmental biology. Super-resolution microscopy techniques including STORM and PALM benefit from the exceptional spectral purity, enabling accurate single-molecule localization without crosstalk from adjacent fluorophore channels. Live-cell imaging applications leverage the high transmission efficiency to minimize excitation power and reduce phototoxicity while maintaining excellent signal detection.

Flow Cytometry and High-Parameter Immunophenotyping: Modern flow cytometry panels routinely employ 10-20 fluorescent markers simultaneously, creating extreme spectral crowding in the visible range. The 550nm spectral region is particularly congested with commonly used fluorophores including PE-Cy3, PerCP, and various tandem conjugates. The BP550 filter's 12nm bandwidth provides the spectral precision necessary to isolate specific fluorophore emissions and minimize spillover into adjacent detectors. Clinical diagnostic applications including leukemia/lymphoma classification, immune monitoring, and stem cell characterization rely on this narrow wavelength filter performance for accurate cell population discrimination and quantification.

Confocal and Laser Scanning Microscopy: Laser scanning microscopy systems employ narrow bandpass filters to collect fluorescence emissions while rejecting scattered laser light and adjacent fluorescence channels. The BP550 filter efficiently captures Cy3 and rhodamine emissions following 543nm HeNe laser or 532nm DPSS laser excitation, while completely blocking the excitation wavelength and separating from green and far-red detection channels. The 2.0mm substrate thickness withstands high laser power densities encountered in confocal imaging without coating damage or spectral degradation.

Spectroscopy and Chemical Analysis: Precision spectroscopy applications including Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and absorption spectroscopy utilize narrow bandpass filters for wavelength selection and spectral isolation. The BP550 filter enables accurate measurements in the yellow-green region for applications including chemical sensing, environmental monitoring, and materials characterization. The narrow bandwidth improves spectral resolution, while the deep out-of-band blocking eliminates interference from stray light and background emissions.

High-Content Screening and Automated Imaging: Pharmaceutical research and drug discovery platforms employ automated high-content imaging systems for compound screening and cellular phenotyping. These systems often utilize yellow-green fluorescent proteins and dyes for reporting gene expression, protein localization, and cellular responses. The BP550 filter provides the spectral precision necessary for accurate quantification across multi-well plate formats, while the consistent performance ensures reproducible results across extended screening campaigns involving thousands of samples.

FRET and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging: Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) experiments require precise spectral separation of donor and acceptor emissions. Common FRET pairs including CFP-YFP and GFP-mCherry involve acceptor emissions in the 550nm region. The fluorescence detection capability of the BP550 filter enables accurate quantification of acceptor emission while completely rejecting donor fluorescence, critical for calculating FRET efficiency and measuring molecular interactions in living cells.

Customization and Engineering Solutions

OPTOStokes understands that cutting-edge research and precision instrumentation often demand customized optical solutions tailored to specific application requirements. Our engineering team collaborates with customers to optimize filter designs for unique performance criteria:

Spectral Optimization: While the standard 12nm FWHM provides exceptional wavelength discrimination, bandwidth can be further narrowed to 10nm for ultimate spectral resolution in ultra-dense multi-parameter applications, or widened to 15-18nm for applications prioritizing signal collection over spectral purity. Center wavelength can be precisely tuned across the 545-555nm range with sub-nanometer accuracy to match specific fluorophore emission maxima or laser wavelengths. Custom passband profiles including flat-top designs and asymmetric bandwidths can be engineered for specialized applications.

Enhanced Blocking Performance: For applications requiring deeper out-of-band rejection, we can design filters achieving optical density greater than 3 (transmission less than 0.1%) or optical density greater than 4 (transmission less than 0.01%) in critical spectral regions. Extended blocking ranges covering 300-1300nm accommodate applications with UV or near-infrared sources. Notch configurations providing high transmission except for narrow rejection bands can be implemented for laser line blocking applications.

Geometric and Mounting Customization: Standard circular formats are available in diameters from 12.5mm to 50mm, with square, rectangular, and irregular shapes manufactured to precise specifications. The 2.0mm thickness can be adjusted to 1.0mm for compact integration, 1.5mm for balanced performance, or 3.0mm for maximum rigidity in demanding mechanical environments. Filters can be supplied unmounted for direct integration, or pre-mounted in threaded retaining rings, filter cubes, filter wheels, and custom mechanical assemblies. Black edge coating and anti-reflection coatings on non-filtered surfaces minimize scattered light.

Multi-Filter Sets and Matched Components: Complete filter sets combining the BP550 emission filter with matched excitation filters and dichroic beamsplitters are available for simplified microscopy system integration. Filters can be spectrally matched to maintain consistent performance across multi-channel detection systems. Matched sets ensure optimal performance and eliminate the need for individual component specification and compatibility verification.

Environmental Hardening: Applications in extreme or variable conditions benefit from enhanced environmental specifications including extended temperature ranges from -40°C to +85°C, high humidity resistance, salt spray tolerance per MIL-STD-810, and vibration resistance. Hermetic sealing options protect coatings in corrosive or contaminated environments. Laser damage threshold testing and certification can be provided for high-power laser applications.

The OPTOStokes Manufacturing Excellence

OPTOStokes has established a reputation for excellence in ultra-narrow bandpass filters through continuous investment in advanced coating technology and quality systems. Our state-of-the-art ion-assisted deposition systems employ real-time optical monitoring and automated layer thickness control, ensuring the sub-nanometer accuracy essential for achieving narrow bandwidth specifications and precise center wavelength positioning. This technological capability enables consistent production of filters with spectral tolerances that exceed industry standards.

Every BP550-12nm-2.0mm filter undergoes comprehensive spectral verification using research-grade spectrophotometers with sub-nanometer wavelength resolution and absolute transmission accuracy traceable to NIST standards. Full transmission curves from 300nm to 1200nm are measured at multiple points across the filter aperture, verifying center wavelength uniformity, FWHM consistency, peak transmission, and blocking performance. Statistical process control monitors coating performance across production batches, ensuring long-term consistency for customers requiring matched filter sets or replacement filters maintaining identical characteristics.

Quality assurance encompasses all aspects of filter performance including surface quality, dimensional accuracy, and environmental stability. Automated optical inspection systems verify scratch-dig specifications using calibrated dark-field microscopy per MIL-PRF-13830B standards. Precision metrology confirms substrate thickness, diameter tolerances, and parallelism. Environmental testing including temperature cycling, humidity exposure, and coating adhesion verification validates long-term durability and performance stability.

Our ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system maintains comprehensive documentation for all manufacturing processes, inspection procedures, and test results. Detailed test reports including measured spectral curves, surface quality inspection results, and dimensional verification are provided with each shipment. Certificates of conformance document compliance with purchase order specifications and applicable industry standards, supporting customer quality systems and regulatory requirements.

Overcoming Application Challenges

Implementing ultra-narrow bandpass filters in advanced optical systems presents specific technical challenges. Understanding these considerations enables informed specification decisions and optimal system performance:

Spectral Crowding in Multi-Channel Systems: The yellow-green spectral region between 530-570nm contains numerous commonly used fluorophores, creating potential for spectral overlap and crosstalk. The BP550 filter's 12nm bandwidth and precise 548-552nm passband provide the spectral resolution necessary to isolate specific emissions. Our applications engineering team performs spectral overlap modeling for customer-specified fluorophore panels, predicting crosstalk levels and recommending optimal filter configurations. Computational analysis identifies potential interference and guides experimental design for minimal spectral overlap.

Fluorophore Emission Variability: Fluorophore emission spectra vary with environmental factors including pH, temperature, and molecular interactions. The BP550 filter's center wavelength positioning at 550nm captures the emission maxima of common yellow-green fluorophores while providing tolerance for minor spectral shifts. We can provide fluorophore compatibility analysis and recommend optimal filter specifications for specific experimental conditions.

Excitation Light Rejection: Yellow-green fluorophore detection typically employs green-yellow excitation from 530-545nm sources. The BP550 filter must adequately block this excitation light to prevent detector saturation and enable weak fluorescence detection. With optical density greater than 2 at typical excitation wavelengths, this filter provides 100-fold or greater rejection, sufficient for most applications. For ultra-sensitive detection requiring deeper blocking, enhanced OD specifications can be implemented.

Temperature-Induced Wavelength Shift: Optical filter wavelength characteristics shift with temperature due to thermal expansion of coating layers. For applications requiring stable performance across variable temperatures, we provide temperature coefficient data (typically 0.01-0.02 nm per degree Celsius) and can design athermal coating formulations minimizing wavelength shift. Temperature-controlled filter housing and active stabilization can be recommended for ultra-critical applications.

System Integration and Focal Shift: Inserting filters into optical paths introduces focal shift due to optical path length changes. The 2.0mm substrate thickness results in approximately 0.7mm focal shift (exact value depends on substrate refractive index and optical configuration). Our technical team provides optical path modeling and focal shift calculations to support system design and ensure proper image focus across filter positions.

Stock Availability and Production Capabilities

OPTOStokes maintains substantial inventory of narrowband optics including the BP550-12nm-2.0mm configuration in commonly requested diameters, enabling rapid fulfillment for urgent project requirements. Standard configurations typically ship within 24-48 hours of order confirmation, eliminating project delays associated with lengthy custom manufacturing lead times.

For custom specifications or non-standard configurations, our agile manufacturing processes typically deliver prototype quantities within 3-4 weeks, with production volumes following upon customer approval. High-volume production capabilities support OEM customers and instrument manufacturers requiring consistent supply across multi-year production cycles. Automated coating systems and rigorous process control ensure batch-to-batch consistency for production runs spanning thousands of units. Vendor-managed inventory programs and consignment stocking arrangements provide just-in-time availability while minimizing inventory carrying costs.

Request Technical Consultation or Quotation

The BP550-12nm-2.0mm bandpass filter exemplifies OPTOStokes' commitment to advancing optical filter technology through precision engineering and manufacturing excellence. Whether your application requires this exact specification or a customized variant optimized for unique performance criteria, our team possesses the technical expertise and production capability to support your success.

Contact our applications engineering specialists at sales@optofilters.com to discuss your specific requirements, request comprehensive technical documentation including complete spectral curves and angular performance data, or obtain quotations for prototype or production quantities. Our team can provide fluorophore compatibility analysis, spectral overlap modeling, multi-channel filter set optimization, and system integration recommendations tailored to your application. For immediate access to technical resources including spectral data files, mechanical drawings, coating specifications, and application notes, visit www.optofilters.com and explore our complete optical filter catalog.

We understand that breakthrough scientific research and innovative instrument development demand optical components that deliver uncompromising performance and reliability. Experience the OPTOStokes difference: precision optical engineering, expert technical support, and manufacturing quality you can trust. Partner with us to transform your most demanding optical challenges into competitive advantages through solutions engineered specifically for your success.