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Fluorescence Microscopy

Fluorochrome Data Tables
Excitation/Emission Wavelengths
Listed by Fluorochrome

Our visitors will find in the following listing many of the commonly-used fluorochromes, with their respective peak excitation and emission wavelengths. The authors wish to express particular appreciation to Molecular Probes, Inc. for supplying some of this information; several other sources in the literature were also helpful.

While the authors assume responsibility for the accurate reporting of the data as published in various reliable sources, several caveats must be given. Fluorochrome dyes are environmentally sensitive and different results will be obtained with different solvents and applications. In reviewing the literature, you will frequently find somewhat different data supplied for the identical fluorochrome. There are also, in many instances, several sub-varieties of a fluorochrome.

Interactive Java Tutorial
Fluorescence Filter Cubes
Discover how variations in excitation and barrier filters allow certain wavelengths to pass. 

The "Handbook of Fluorescent Probes and Research Chemicals", published by Molecular Probes, Inc. in Eugene, Oregon is a rich source of information about fluorochrome dyes. Much information about fluorochromes will also be found in sources cited in the bibliography and Web resources guide which visitors will find on the primer introductory page. See particularly the books edited by Taylor et al. and the literature published by microscope companies. Also, consult the publications of Omega Optical and Chroma Technology.

It is strongly urged that the data for a particular fluorochrome be confirmed by consulting the dye manufacturer to secure full specification of curves for excitation and emission.

Fluorochrome Peak Excitation and Emission Wavelengths

Fluorochrome Excitation Wavelength Emission Wavelength
Acid Fuchsin
540
630
Acridine Orange
(Bound to DNA)
502
526
Acridine Red
455-600
560-680
Acridine Yellow
470
550
Acriflavin
436
520
AFA (Acriflavin
Feulgen SITSA)
355-425
460
Alizarin Complexon
530-560
580
Alizarin Red
530-560
580
Allophycocyanin
650
661
ACMA
430
474
AMCA-S, AMC
345
445
Aminoactinomycin D
555
655
7-Aminoactinomycin D-AAD
546
647
Aminocoumarin
350
445
Anthroyl Stearate
361-381
446
Astrazon Brilliant
Red 4G
500
585
Astrazon Orange R
470
540
Astrazon Red 6B
520
595
Astrazon Yellow
7 GLL
450
480
Atabrine
436
490
Auramine
460
550
Aurophosphine
450-490
515
Aurophosphine G
450
580
BAO 9-(Bisamino-
phenyloxadiazole)
365
395
BCECF
505
530
Berberine Sulphate
430
550
Bisbenzamide
360
600-610
BOBO-1, BO-PRO-1
462
481
Blancophor FFG Solution
390
470
Blancophor SV
370
435
Bodipy Fl
503
512
Bodipy TMR
542
574
Bodipy TR
589
617
BOPRO 1
462
481
Brilliant Sulpho-
flavin FF
430
520
Calcein
494
517
Calcein Blue
370
435
Calcium Green
505
532
Calcium Orange
549
576
Calcofluor RW Solution
370
440
Calcofluor White
440
500-520
Calcofluor White
ABT Solution
380
475
Calcofluor White
Standard Solution
365
435
5-(and 6-)carboxy
SNARF-1 indicator
548 (Low pH)
576 (High pH)
587 (Low pH)
635 (High pH)
6-Carboxyrhodamine 6G
525
555
Cascade Blue
400
425
Catecholamine
410
470
Chinacrine
450-490
515
CL-NERF
504 (Low pH)
514 (High pH)
587 (Low pH)
540 (High pH)
Coriphosphine O
460
575
Coumarin-Phalloidin
387
470
CY3.18
554
568
CY5.18
649
666
CY7
710
805
DANS (1-DimethylAmino-
Naphthaline-5-Sulphonic Acid)
340
525
DANSA
(DiaminoNaphthyl-
Sulphonic Acid)
340-380
430
Dansyl NH-CH3 in water
340
578
DAPI
350
470
DiA
456
590
Diamino Phenyl
Oxydiazole (DAO)
280
460
Di-8-ANEPPS
488
605
Dimethylamino-5-
Sulphonic Acid
310-370
520
DiI [DiIC18(3)]
549
565
DiO [DiOC18(3)]
484
501
Diphenyl Brilliant
Flavine 7GFF
430
520
DM-NERF
497 (Low pH)
510 (High pH)
527 (Low pH)
536 (High pH)
Dopamine
340
490-520
ELF-97 alcohol
345
530
Eosin
525
545
Erythrosin ITC
530
558
Ethidium Bromide
510
595
Euchrysin
430
540
FIF (Formaldehyde
Induced Fluorescence)
405
435
Flazo Orange
375-530
612
Fluorescein
494
518
Fluorescein Iso-
thiocyanate (FITC)
490
525
Fluo 3
485
503
FM1-43
479
598
Fura-2
363 (Low [Ca2+])
335 (High [Ca2+])
512 (Low [Ca2+])
505 (High [Ca2+])
Fura Red
472 (Low [Ca2+])
436 (High [Ca2+])
657 (Low [Ca2+])
637 (High [Ca2+])
Genacryl Brilliant
Red B
520
590
Genacryl Brilliant
Yellow 10GF
430
485
Genacryl Pink 3G
470
583
Genacryl Yellow
5GF
430
475 </