What is LED transmitted light used for in fluorescence excitation?

LED transmitted light is used to illuminate a specimen or gel from below with a selected excitation wavelength. It is useful for fluorescence observation, imaging and screening when the stain or fluorophore matches the LED wavelength and an appropriate emission filter is used.

Is an emission filter required?

Yes. For clear fluorescence observation or imaging, an emission filter matched to the fluorescent stain and camera or observation system is normally required.

Excitation LED

LED Transmitted Light for Fluorescence Excitation

Q: Which LED wavelength is suitable for SYBR Green or GelGreen?

470 nm blue LED models are generally suitable for SYBR Green, SYBR Safe, GelGreen, Midori Green and similar blue-light excitable nucleic acid stains.

Q: Which LED wavelength is suitable for EtBr or GelRed?

505 nm green LED models are generally suitable for EtBr, GelRed, SYBR Gold and other longer-wavelength fluorescent stains that respond well around 490 to 510 nm.

Microscope transmitted LED light and high-intensity LED transilluminators for fluorescence observation and imaging

Mecan LED transmitted light sources provide selected excitation wavelengths from below the specimen, gel or observation stage. The lineup includes compact transmitted LED light for stereo microscopes and 470 nm / 505 nm LED transilluminators for gel observation, fluorescence imaging and gel cutting workflows.

Choose the LED wavelength according to the fluorescent reagent, specimen, emission filter and camera system. For clear fluorescence observation, an appropriate emission filter or filter holder system is usually required.

470 nm Blue LED 505 nm Green LED Transmitted Microscope Gel Imaging

TR8W DF36W Series TR60W Series Wavelength Guide Filter Guide

LED Transmitted Light for Stereo Microscope

The TR8W Series is a compact transmitted LED light source for stereo microscope fluorescence excitation. It is suitable when a small, simple transmitted illumination unit is preferred for microscope observation or documentation.

TR8W Series

Compact LED transmitted light
for stereo microscopes

High-contrast transmitted LED light for fluorescence excitation under stereo microscopes. Available wavelength variations include 470 nm blue LED and 505 nm cyan / green-region LED models.

View TR8W Series

Main models: LED470-TR8W / LED505-TR8W

LED Transilluminator - 36W High-Intensity Dark-Field Illumination

The DF36W Series provides 36W-class LED transmitted illumination for fluorescence gel observation and imaging. It is a practical choice for laboratories that need clear fluorescence excitation in a compact format.

LED470-DF36W

470 nm Blue LED / 36W Dark-Field Type

Designed for blue-light excitation dyes such as SYBR Green, SYBR Safe, GelGreen, Midori Green and similar nucleic acid stains with excitation or absorption peaks around 450–490 nm.

View LED470-DF36W

LED505-DF36W

505 nm Green LED / 36W Dark-Field Type

Designed for longer-wavelength green-light excitation dyes such as EtBr, GelRed, SYBR Gold and related stains with excitation or absorption peaks around 490–510 nm.

View LED505-DF36W

LED Transilluminator - 60W High-Intensity Transmitted Illumination

The TR60W Series provides stronger LED excitation intensity for faint bands, high-sensitivity imaging and demanding fluorescence applications. Select 470 nm or 505 nm according to the stain, filter combination and imaging system.

LED470-TR60W

470 nm Blue LED / 60W Direct Illumination

High-output 470 nm excitation for weak fluorescence signals and high-sensitivity gel imaging with blue-light excitable nucleic acid stains such as SYBR Green, SYBR Safe, GelGreen and Midori Green.

View LED470-TR60W

LED505-TR60W

505 nm Green LED / 60W Direct Illumination

High-output 505 nm excitation for EtBr, GelRed, SYBR Gold and other longer-wavelength fluorescence dyes where stronger excitation is preferred.

View LED505-TR60W

LED Transmitted Light for Microscopes and Fluorescence Workflows

Transmitted LED illumination for fluorescence excitation from below the sample.
Useful for stereo microscope observation, documentation and simple fluorescence screening.
470 nm blue LED models: SYBR Green, SYBR Safe, GelGreen, Midori Green and similar blue-light excitable nucleic acid stains.

505 nm green LED models: EtBr, GelRed, SYBR Gold, SYPRO Red, Flamingo, DsRed, YFP and related longer-wavelength fluorescent dyes or markers.
LED light avoids UV exposure in compatible gel observation and gel cutting workflows.
Filter holder systems are available for microscope observation and documentation.

Selection Guide: 470 nm vs. 505 nm / 36W vs. 60W

Model Type	Recommended Use	Typical Stains / Applications
470 nm LED	Blue-light excitation for common safe DNA gel stains.	SYBR Green, SYBR Safe, GelGreen, Midori Green and similar blue-light excitable nucleic acid stains.
505 nm LED	Green-light excitation for EtBr and red/orange fluorescence workflows.	EtBr, GelRed, SYBR Gold, SYPRO Red, Flamingo, DsRed, YFP and related longer-wavelength fluorescent dyes or markers.
36W Series	Routine gel observation, imaging and gel cutting.	General laboratory use, teaching labs and standard documentation workflows.
60W Series	High-sensitivity imaging when stronger excitation is required.	Faint bands, high-contrast imaging and demanding fluorescence observation.

Need help selecting the best LED transilluminator?
Please tell us your gel stain, gel size, camera system, emission filter and imaging workflow.
We can recommend a suitable wavelength and model configuration.