

Andor's new Benchtop Confocal delivers amazing images at the push of a button.
This plug and play confocal system has been designed with cost, performance and accessibility in mind, ensuring hassle-free, high-quality 2D & 3D imaging for busy researchers.
Description
BC43 is a super-compact unit that is rich in features and benefits, making it the ideal microscope for early-stage researchers and experienced microscopists alike.
With no requirement for a darkroom, researchers can access confocal technology on the same bench as their samples. This, coupled with the fast learning curve, allows individual users and entire labs to become much more productive, without compromising results.

Confocal, Widefield & Transmitted Light Microscopy All-In-One
The BC43 benchtop confocal utilizes imaging technology from our award-winning Dragonfly confocal system and provides fast and remarkably flexible imaging. BC43 allows routine imaging from brightfield to confocal without the hassle.
Feedback from BC-43 workshop
“I have to admit, I was impressed with the BC43 system. It’s incredibly user-friendly and the speed at which it acquires images for the 3D projection is great! Not to mention, the image quality was also good. If the BC43 system becomes available at our facility, I would absolutely love to use it. I can see how it would make our work so much easier and more efficient.”
Confocal Microscopy

Widefield Fluorescence Microscopy

Transmitted Light Microscopy

Confocal Microscopy
Capture superb confocal images at least 10 times faster than point scanner-based systems with the Andor Benchtop Confocal!
BC43 is a prime solution for 3D imaging of thick samples. A high sensitivity, high-speed imaging camera makes it perfect for live-cell confocal imaging.
A motorised XY stage allows multiple point acquisition, large organism montages and multipoint scanning resulting in outstanding productivity from a single imaging experiment.
Widefield imaging:
- Offers the gentlest illumination mode for samples that are super-sensitive to light
- Detects lower sample signals than in confocal mode
- Offers the fastest imaging speeds to capture dynamic processes in live cells
Use ClearView™ GPU to remove sample blur and enhance resolution, ensuring the best quality images.
Transmitted Light Microscopy
BC43 also delivers two different transmitted light options for amazing imaging flexibility:
- Use Brightfield Mode to visualise the development of larger organisms whose structures naturally deliver high contrast images
- For thinner samples and/or those with higher transparency, use Differential Phase Contrast (DPC) mode to draw out their structure
You can also mix and match modes like DPC and Widefield for even more imaging flexibility!
High-Speed Confocal Imaging for Biologists
The BC43 Benchtop Confocal has been developed in collaboration with leading biologists; for use across life science applications, and is designed to be part of a single room workflow. BC43 will bring instant clarity and depth to your research, whatever your sample, in ways previously only found in larger, more complex and expensive imaging systems.

Cell Biology
BC43 conquers the diverse range of protocols that Cell Biology experiments demand: from a simple 2D snapshot of a cell to understanding dynamic processes with time-lapse.
BC43’s unrivalled clarity and speed will save you time without compromising resolution (X,Y or Z) or field of view.
- Confocal mode for fast, high-resolution imaging of tissues
- Widefield mode for higher sensitivity and maximum speeds
- Built in GPU-based ClearView™ technology boosts image clarity
Developmental Biology
Cut through the challenges of your 3D world and capture images in perfect clarity – from the very first rounds of cell division to the fully developed organism.
Extract crisp 2D images or explore stunning 3D volumes in a fraction of the time you’re used to. Andor’s Benchtop Confocal delivers fast, high-resolution imaging of developing model organisms such as zebrafish and Drosophila.
- Image deeper than conventional fluorescence microscopes
- Boost productivity 10-fold compared with traditional confocals
- No sacrifices to resolution, field of view or 3D detail for speed


Tissue Imaging
Capture stunning 2D and 3D images from live tissue models to whole cleared-tissue preparations.
BC43 is a true workhorse instrument for large sample imaging, capturing in a tenth of the time of conventional confocal systems and imaging deeper than widefield epifluorescence with deconvolution or digital clearing.
- Time-saving, large-view, high-resolution imaging of tissue.
- Capture huge samples with tiled volume imaging and stitching
- Innovative analysis tools available with Imaris: machine learning object classification, spatial analysis, volume and morphology and many more.
Core Facilities
Andor’s Benchtop Confocal is a compact, but fully featured system for routine imaging. It can be the imaging workhorse you are looking for, freeing up your sophisticated systems with advanced tools for those who need them.
Simplicity of use has been designed into BC43 to reduce training time and ongoing support of users, enabling labs and facilities to become more efficient.
Researchers will rapidly become competent in acquiring excellent 3D images, and higher multi-dimensional experiments on their own.
- Four excitation lines (405, 488, 561 & 640nm)
- Up to 5 imaging objectives
- Multiple imaging modes offers flexibility whatever the sample


Powerful and Intuitive Acquisition Software
At the heart of BC43 is a software that is not only feature-rich and flexible to your needs, it is easy-to-use as well:
- Imaris rendering engine – stunning real-time 3D images
- Clear and concise user-interface – acquire images in no time
- Multi-dimensional imaging protocols – advanced 3D time lapse or multi-position montage made easy

Comprehensive Image Analysis Software with AI Tools
BC43 comes with an introductory Imaris package, allowing users to:
- Visualise your 2D/3D/4D images in the world’s leading interactive microscopy image analysis software
- Generate isosurface reconstructions for better interpretation and presentation of raw images
- Create high-resolution snapshots and multi-dimensional movies with ease
- Use Imaris Arena to manage your microscopy images on local and network drives.
Add Imaris modules, which include a machine learning object classifier, to explore the subtle, yet biologically important interactions amongst and within cells. Identify, track, and quantify the cells, organelles and proteins within your images.
Specifications
Microscope Unit - Imaging Modes |
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Microscope Unit - Imaging Methods |
Single colour, multicolour, z-stacking (volume), time-lapse, multi-position, multi-well, montage and 2/3D stitching |
Microscope Unit - ClearView GPU |
Clears image of non-specific sample background signal and improves resolution beyond the normal optical limits |
Camera - Resolution |
6.5 um pixel; 2048 x 2000 pixels (4.1MP) |
Camera - QE2 |
Up to 82% |
Camera - Field of view (mm) |
18.4mm (diagonal) |
Camera - Cooling |
0°C |
Camera - Images |
16-bit, monochrome |
Illumination - Fluorescence |
4 fixed wavelengths of
|
Illumination - Transmitted light |
Broad spectrum visible light LED |
Optics - Objective Lens Nosepiece |
Motorised 5 position turret |
Optics - Objective Magnifications |
BC43 is supplied with 2x objective for sample overview. Select additional supported objective lenses from 10x to 60x magnification |
Optics - Precision motorised x,y stage |
Travel Range = 100mm x 80mm Resolution = 10nm |
Optics - Z-Control & Focus |
Range = 14.5mm |
Optics - Autofocus "Seek & Lock" Technology |
Sample “Seek & Lock”. Finds focal plane for new sample and maintains focus stability during time-lapse experiments. |
Optics - Sample Vessels Supported |
Optimal imaging through glass, for imaging through plastic vessels, consult your sales representative |
Optics - Incubation (option) |
Stage-top incubator. Sliding lid for easy sample access and exchange. Objective heater for oil-immersion objectives. |
Workstation |
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