Cleaning a Nipkow Disk
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http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal Hi Folks, I've been using an old Technical Instruments K2-IND Nipkow disk confocal and have been noticing some buildup of dust between the pinholes on top of the chrome-plated glass disk. This dust is scattering light and is clearly visible between the pinholes when the disk isn't spinning. I've posted a pic here: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~jsummers/dust_pinholes.png (*note: I'm fairly certain that this is scattered light from dust on top of the disk, and not due to light transmitted through damage/scratches in the chrome because 1) the brightness of the "dust" doesn't change with focus, 2) I would expect scratches to look like streaks, 3) I can see what appears to be dust on the disk with the naked eye when opening up the K2-IND unit) Though this isn't much of a problem now, I imagine the attainable contrast of the scope will degrade over time as more dust collects. I'm not using the microscope in a cleanroom environment, so I suppose this type of thing would be expected. However, I'm curious to know if anyone has any suggestions for cleaning the disk. I've tried using an air-gun, but this doesn't really help. I'm tempted to use some lens cleaning paper and isopropyl alcohol, but since the problem isn't bad yet (and the scope isn't all that cheap), I wanted to see if there was any expert advice out there. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks and best, Joe ------------------------------------ Postdoc, Physics Dept. Optoelectronics Group Mt. Holyoke College ph: (413) 538-2263 http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~jsummers/ ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program. |
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Search the CONFOCAL archive at
http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal Hi Joe, Based on your picture, I would bet that, while dust may in fact be building up on the disk, the "scattered light" you see is due to small holes forming in the chrome masking. The reason I come to that conclusion is because of the image you provided (very handy, thanks). To make that type of image, you shine light through the stopped disk. The pinholes are in focus nicely, if there were scattered light, it would reveal itself as "blurring" of the pinholes and not as sharply in focus features. I could of course be wrong, but nonetheless, I would resist cleaning this out of fear of increasing the size of those holes. Best of luck, Paul Paul S. Maddox, PhD Assistant Professor Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer Dept of Pathology and Cell Biol, U. de Montreal P.O. Box 6128, Station Centre-Ville Montréal QC H3C 3J7 CANADA Courier: 2900, boulevard Édouard-Montpetit Pavillon Marcelle-Coutu, Quai 20 Montreal QC H3T 1J4 CANADA [hidden email] Ph: 514-343-7894 Fax: 514-343-6843 -----Original Message----- From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Joseph Summers Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2008 7:40 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: Cleaning a Nipkow Disk Search the CONFOCAL archive at http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal Hi Folks, I've been using an old Technical Instruments K2-IND Nipkow disk confocal and have been noticing some buildup of dust between the pinholes on top of the chrome-plated glass disk. This dust is scattering light and is clearly visible between the pinholes when the disk isn't spinning. I've posted a pic here: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~jsummers/dust_pinholes.png (*note: I'm fairly certain that this is scattered light from dust on top of the disk, and not due to light transmitted through damage/scratches in the chrome because 1) the brightness of the "dust" doesn't change with focus, 2) I would expect scratches to look like streaks, 3) I can see what appears to be dust on the disk with the naked eye when opening up the K2-IND unit) Though this isn't much of a problem now, I imagine the attainable contrast of the scope will degrade over time as more dust collects. I'm not using the microscope in a cleanroom environment, so I suppose this type of thing would be expected. However, I'm curious to know if anyone has any suggestions for cleaning the disk. I've tried using an air-gun, but this doesn't really help. I'm tempted to use some lens cleaning paper and isopropyl alcohol, but since the problem isn't bad yet (and the scope isn't all that cheap), I wanted to see if there was any expert advice out there. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks and best, Joe ------------------------------------ Postdoc, Physics Dept. Optoelectronics Group Mt. Holyoke College ph: (413) 538-2263 http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~jsummers/ ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program. |
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Search the CONFOCAL archive at
http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal Hi Paul, Thanks for the response. I'll probably leave the disk alone, but I don't think think the specks I see are due to holes in the chrome. As I bring a sample into focus (while the disk is stopped), I see the pinholes get brighter as the sample comes into the focal plane. For the specks, the brightness doesn't change at all with focus. This leads me to believe that the light I'm seeing is scattered from the surface of the disk, not light from the sample through holes in the disk. I also can't think of what would cause this type of damage if there are in fact holes in the chrome. If it's damaged caused while spinning, I'd expect the pattern to look more like long thin scratches. Another possibility would be that something's corroding the surface...but such a large amount of corrosion over a short amount of time seems very unusual (I've seen this get worse since moving my setup from one lab to another, over a period of just a couple of months). So, these factors together make me think that it's some sort of dust...but I'd rather do nothing than risk damaging the disk until I know for sure :) Thanks again for the comments. Best, Joe Quoting Maddox Paul <[hidden email]>: > Search the CONFOCAL archive at > http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal > > Hi Joe, > > Based on your picture, I would bet that, while dust may in fact be > building up on the disk, the "scattered light" you see is due to > small holes forming in the chrome masking. The reason I come to that > conclusion is because of the image you provided (very handy, thanks). > To make that type of image, you shine light through the stopped > disk. The pinholes are in focus nicely, if there were scattered > light, it would reveal itself as "blurring" of the pinholes and not > as sharply in focus features. > > I could of course be wrong, but nonetheless, I would resist cleaning > this out of fear of increasing the size of those holes. > > Best of luck, > > Paul > > Paul S. Maddox, PhD > Assistant Professor > Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer > Dept of Pathology and Cell Biol, U. de Montreal > P.O. Box 6128, Station Centre-Ville > Montréal QC H3C 3J7 > CANADA > > Courier: > 2900, boulevard Édouard-Montpetit > Pavillon Marcelle-Coutu, Quai 20 > Montreal QC H3T 1J4 > CANADA > > [hidden email] > Ph: 514-343-7894 > Fax: 514-343-6843 > > -----Original Message----- > From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] > On Behalf Of Joseph Summers > Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2008 7:40 PM > To: [hidden email] > Subject: Cleaning a Nipkow Disk > > Search the CONFOCAL archive at > http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal > > Hi Folks, > > I've been using an old Technical Instruments K2-IND Nipkow disk > confocal and have been noticing some buildup of dust between the > pinholes on top of the chrome-plated glass disk. This dust is > scattering light and is clearly visible between the pinholes when the > disk isn't spinning. I've posted a pic here: > > http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~jsummers/dust_pinholes.png > > (*note: I'm fairly certain that this is scattered light from dust on > top of the disk, and not due to light transmitted through > damage/scratches in the chrome because 1) the brightness of the "dust" > doesn't change with focus, 2) I would expect scratches to look like > streaks, 3) I can see what appears to be dust on the disk with the > naked eye when opening up the K2-IND unit) > > Though this isn't much of a problem now, I imagine the attainable > contrast of the scope will degrade over time as more dust collects. > I'm not using the microscope in a cleanroom environment, so I suppose > this type of thing would be expected. However, I'm curious to know if > anyone has any suggestions for cleaning the disk. I've tried using an > air-gun, but this doesn't really help. I'm tempted to use some lens > cleaning paper and isopropyl alcohol, but since the problem isn't bad > yet (and the scope isn't all that cheap), I wanted to see if there was > any expert advice out there. > > I'd appreciate any input. > > Thanks and best, > Joe > > ------------------------------------ > Postdoc, Physics Dept. > Optoelectronics Group > Mt. Holyoke College > ph: (413) 538-2263 > http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~jsummers/ > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------- > This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program. > ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program. |
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Search the CONFOCAL archive at
http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal Not sure about the specific model of your disc, but could you possibly hit it with a bellows? If dust, you could see some change in pattern (as long as you keep the disc stopped/in the same position). If not dust, the bellows is a relatively passive method of cleaning and shouldn't exacerbate damage if it is chrome degrading. If it is dust, I would suggest a clean room for the maintenance. I also think it's great that you provided an image the way you did. A great preliminary diagnostic. Best, Gary Laevsky, Ph.D. Imaging Application Specialist Andor Technology discover new ways of seeing [hidden email] Cell (774) 291 - 9992 Office (860) 290 - 9211 x219 Fax (860) 290 - 9566 Web: www.andor.com -----Original Message----- From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Joseph Summers Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2008 10:39 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: Re: Cleaning a Nipkow Disk Search the CONFOCAL archive at http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal Hi Paul, Thanks for the response. I'll probably leave the disk alone, but I don't think think the specks I see are due to holes in the chrome. As I bring a sample into focus (while the disk is stopped), I see the pinholes get brighter as the sample comes into the focal plane. For the specks, the brightness doesn't change at all with focus. This leads me to believe that the light I'm seeing is scattered from the surface of the disk, not light from the sample through holes in the disk. I also can't think of what would cause this type of damage if there are in fact holes in the chrome. If it's damaged caused while spinning, I'd expect the pattern to look more like long thin scratches. Another possibility would be that something's corroding the surface...but such a large amount of corrosion over a short amount of time seems very unusual (I've seen this get worse since moving my setup from one lab to another, over a period of just a couple of months). So, these factors together make me think that it's some sort of dust...but I'd rather do nothing than risk damaging the disk until I know for sure :) Thanks again for the comments. Best, Joe Quoting Maddox Paul <[hidden email]>: > Search the CONFOCAL archive at > http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal > > Hi Joe, > > Based on your picture, I would bet that, while dust may in fact be > building up on the disk, the "scattered light" you see is due to > small holes forming in the chrome masking. The reason I come to that > conclusion is because of the image you provided (very handy, thanks). > To make that type of image, you shine light through the stopped > disk. The pinholes are in focus nicely, if there were scattered > light, it would reveal itself as "blurring" of the pinholes and not > as sharply in focus features. > > I could of course be wrong, but nonetheless, I would resist cleaning > this out of fear of increasing the size of those holes. > > Best of luck, > > Paul > > Paul S. Maddox, PhD > Assistant Professor > Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer > Dept of Pathology and Cell Biol, U. de Montreal > P.O. Box 6128, Station Centre-Ville > Montréal QC H3C 3J7 > CANADA > > Courier: > 2900, boulevard Édouard-Montpetit > Pavillon Marcelle-Coutu, Quai 20 > Montreal QC H3T 1J4 > CANADA > > [hidden email] > Ph: 514-343-7894 > Fax: 514-343-6843 > > -----Original Message----- > From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] > On Behalf Of Joseph Summers > Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2008 7:40 PM > To: [hidden email] > Subject: Cleaning a Nipkow Disk > > Search the CONFOCAL archive at > http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal > > Hi Folks, > > I've been using an old Technical Instruments K2-IND Nipkow disk > confocal and have been noticing some buildup of dust between the > pinholes on top of the chrome-plated glass disk. This dust is > scattering light and is clearly visible between the pinholes when the > disk isn't spinning. I've posted a pic here: > > http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~jsummers/dust_pinholes.png > > (*note: I'm fairly certain that this is scattered light from dust on > top of the disk, and not due to light transmitted through > damage/scratches in the chrome because 1) the brightness of the "dust" > doesn't change with focus, 2) I would expect scratches to look like > streaks, 3) I can see what appears to be dust on the disk with the > naked eye when opening up the K2-IND unit) > > Though this isn't much of a problem now, I imagine the attainable > contrast of the scope will degrade over time as more dust collects. > I'm not using the microscope in a cleanroom environment, so I suppose > this type of thing would be expected. However, I'm curious to know if > anyone has any suggestions for cleaning the disk. I've tried using an > air-gun, but this doesn't really help. I'm tempted to use some lens > cleaning paper and isopropyl alcohol, but since the problem isn't bad > yet (and the scope isn't all that cheap), I wanted to see if there was > any expert advice out there. > > I'd appreciate any input. > > Thanks and best, > Joe > > ------------------------------------ > Postdoc, Physics Dept. > Optoelectronics Group > Mt. Holyoke College > ph: (413) 538-2263 > http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~jsummers/ > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------- > This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program. > ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program. |
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In reply to this post by Joe Summers
Search the CONFOCAL archive at
http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal Thank you, Gary. After closer inspection, I can now confirm that it is dust that can be wiped off with lens paper (I tried a small sample near the edge of the disk) - compressed air does help with some of the larger particles, but most of the smaller specks won't come off unless wiped. I agree with your suggestion of using a cleanroom for maintenance. Chrome masks are fairly robust, so I imagine that continuing to wipe off with lens paper should be fine...however, I'll repost to the listserv once I get a chance to fully clean off the disk to let folks know how it goes <fingers crossed>. I'm still a bit curious to know how many other users have the same problem, but possibly aren't aware of it because they rarely look through the disk when it isn't spinning. My confocal unit, while not completely sealed off from the environment, is pretty well enclosed, and my work environment isn't visibly dusty. So, If you use a Nipkow disk it might be worth taking a look... Best -Joe On Jul 5, 2008, at 11:18 PM, Gary Laevsky wrote: Search the CONFOCAL archive at http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal Not sure about the specific model of your disc, but could you possibly hit it with a bellows? If dust, you could see some change in pattern (as long as you keep the disc stopped/in the same position). If not dust, the bellows is a relatively passive method of cleaning and shouldn't exacerbate damage if it is chrome degrading. If it is dust, I would suggest a clean room for the maintenance. I also think it's great that you provided an image the way you did. A great preliminary diagnostic. Best, Gary Laevsky, Ph.D. Imaging Application Specialist Andor Technology discover new ways of seeing [hidden email] Cell (774) 291 - 9992 Office (860) 290 - 9211 x219 Fax (860) 290 - 9566 Web: www.andor.com -----Original Message----- From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Joseph Summers Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2008 10:39 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: Re: Cleaning a Nipkow Disk Search the CONFOCAL archive at http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal Hi Paul, Thanks for the response. I'll probably leave the disk alone, but I don't think think the specks I see are due to holes in the chrome. As I bring a sample into focus (while the disk is stopped), I see the pinholes get brighter as the sample comes into the focal plane. For the specks, the brightness doesn't change at all with focus. This leads me to believe that the light I'm seeing is scattered from the surface of the disk, not light from the sample through holes in the disk. I also can't think of what would cause this type of damage if there are in fact holes in the chrome. If it's damaged caused while spinning, I'd expect the pattern to look more like long thin scratches. Another possibility would be that something's corroding the surface...but such a large amount of corrosion over a short amount of time seems very unusual (I've seen this get worse since moving my setup from one lab to another, over a period of just a couple of months). So, these factors together make me think that it's some sort of dust...but I'd rather do nothing than risk damaging the disk until I know for sure :) Thanks again for the comments. Best, Joe Quoting Maddox Paul <[hidden email]>: Search the CONFOCAL archive at http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal Hi Joe, Based on your picture, I would bet that, while dust may in fact be building up on the disk, the "scattered light" you see is due to small holes forming in the chrome masking. The reason I come to that conclusion is because of the image you provided (very handy, thanks). To make that type of image, you shine light through the stopped disk. The pinholes are in focus nicely, if there were scattered light, it would reveal itself as "blurring" of the pinholes and not as sharply in focus features. I could of course be wrong, but nonetheless, I would resist cleaning this out of fear of increasing the size of those holes. Best of luck, Paul Paul S. Maddox, PhD Assistant Professor Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer Dept of Pathology and Cell Biol, U. de Montreal P.O. Box 6128, Station Centre-Ville Montréal QC H3C 3J7 CANADA Courier: 2900, boulevard Édouard-Montpetit Pavillon Marcelle-Coutu, Quai 20 Montreal QC H3T 1J4 CANADA [hidden email] Ph: 514-343-7894 Fax: 514-343-6843 -----Original Message----- From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Joseph Summers Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2008 7:40 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: Cleaning a Nipkow Disk Search the CONFOCAL archive at http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal Hi Folks, I've been using an old Technical Instruments K2-IND Nipkow disk confocal and have been noticing some buildup of dust between the pinholes on top of the chrome-plated glass disk. This dust is scattering light and is clearly visible between the pinholes when the disk isn't spinning. I've posted a pic here: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~jsummers/dust_pinholes.png (*note: I'm fairly certain that this is scattered light from dust on top of the disk, and not due to light transmitted through damage/scratches in the chrome because 1) the brightness of the "dust" doesn't change with focus, 2) I would expect scratches to look like streaks, 3) I can see what appears to be dust on the disk with the naked eye when opening up the K2-IND unit) Though this isn't much of a problem now, I imagine the attainable contrast of the scope will degrade over time as more dust collects. I'm not using the microscope in a cleanroom environment, so I suppose this type of thing would be expected. However, I'm curious to know if anyone has any suggestions for cleaning the disk. I've tried using an air-gun, but this doesn't really help. I'm tempted to use some lens cleaning paper and isopropyl alcohol, but since the problem isn't bad yet (and the scope isn't all that cheap), I wanted to see if there was any expert advice out there. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks and best, Joe ------------------------------------ Postdoc, Physics Dept. Optoelectronics Group Mt. Holyoke College ph: (413) 538-2263 http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~jsummers/ ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program. ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program. |
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