Luminescence Read Mode - Molecular Devices SpectraMax Paradigm User Manual

Luminescence Read Mode

In luminescence read mode, no excitation is necessary as the species being measured emit
light naturally. For this reason, the lamp does not flash, so no background excitation
interference occurs.
In the Luminescence (LUM) read mode, the instrument provides measurements in Relative
Luminescence Units (RLUs).
Luminescence is the emission of light by processes that derive energy from essentially non-
thermal changes, the motion of subatomic particles, or the excitation of an atomic system by
radiation. Luminescence detection relies on the production of light from a chemical reaction
in a sample.
To help eliminate background luminescence from a microplate that has been exposed to
light, Molecular Devices recommends dark adaptation of the microplate by placing the
sample-loaded microplate in the instrument for several minutes before starting the read.
If wavelength selection is desired, you can choose the wavelength where peak emission is
expected to occur. Also, multiple wavelength choices let species with multiple components
be differentiated and measured easily.
When maximum sensitivity is required, Molecular Devices recommends the use of dual-color
luminescence detection cartridges. See
Cartridge on page 131
on page
Luminescence can be read from the top or the bottom of a microplate. Solid white
microplates or white microplates with clear bottoms are recommended for luminescence
reads.
Concentrations or qualitative results are derived from raw data with a standard curve or by
comparison with reference controls. See
5014038 E
and Dual Color Luminescence (LUM) (Chroma-Glo) Detection Cartridge
136.
Chapter 2: Read Modes and Read Types
Dual Color Luminescence (LUM) (BRET2) Detection
Analyzing Luminescence Data on page 35.
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