Abstract: Filter wheel assemblies with a single actuation point to control positioning of front and rear optical filter elements simultaneously and to provide high channel density with a plurality of selectable optical filter pairs. A filter wheel assembly may include a plurality of optical filter element pairs arranged around a common axis, wherein each of the plurality of optical filter element pairs includes a first filter element and a complementary filter element, wherein each first filter element and each complementary filter element has a surface having a normal component directed toward an inner portion of the filter wheel assembly.

Abstract: Systems for combining multi-mode (MM) and single-mode (SM) illumination beams of differing wavelengths together and creating a uniform, multi-wavelength laser line at a sample plane with minimal or no loss of optical power. A system includes correction optics configured to reduce the beam waist size of the MM illumination beam to substantially the same size as the beam waist size of the SM illumination beam, and beam-combining optics configured to combine the SM illumination beam and the MM illumination beam into a combined illumination beam along a first light path.

Abstract: Filter wheel assemblies with a single actuation point to control positioning of front and rear optical filter elements simultaneously and to provide high channel density with a plurality of selectable optical filter pairs. A filter wheel assembly may include a plurality of optical filter element pairs arranged around a common axis, wherein each of the plurality of optical filter element pairs includes a first filter element and a complementary filter element, wherein each first filter element and each complementary filter element has a surface having a normal component directed toward an inner portion of the filter wheel assembly.