Lifetime of the Argon laser optic fiber in Leican SP2

[Pertti Panula]

Hi all,

We have two Leica SP2 AOBS confocal systems. The one purchased in Dec 2003
had a problem with the optic fiber of the Argon 488 laser (almost no light
passed), and the fiber was changed in Feb 2008. The new fiber is now dead as
well (after 1.5 yrs), and should be replaced. Last time this cost us over
4800 euro (7000 USD), and I am wondering what kind of lifetime others expect
for the fibers. To me this sounds like a high unexpected annual cost, and I
have not seen it with other confocal systems here or elsewhere. If any of
you have useful information, this is part no 51905-488 (manufacturer unkonwn).

Best regards

Pertti Panula

[Csúcs Gábor]

Dear Pertti,

Leica (as Zeiss) uses optical fibers from PointSource to couple the
lasers into the scan-head. Typically the fibers last quite long (one of
our Leica machines is running for 10 years), but bending them too much
may destroy them. The fibers themselves (especially as you don't need
the incoupling) should cost around 1000 GBP - so way less then your 4800
Euro. The fiber could be exchanged also by you, although the alignment
(getting the maximum incoupling efficiency) may be time consuming. Leica
(but probably also other companies as well) have the tendency to have at
least 2x higher prices for the replacement components then if you buy it
directly from the manufacturer.

Cheers   Gabor

> Hi all,
>
> We have two Leica SP2 AOBS confocal systems. The one purchased in Dec 2003
> had a problem with the optic fiber of the Argon 488 laser (almost no light
> passed), and the fiber was changed in Feb 2008. The new fiber is now dead as
> well (after 1.5 yrs), and should be replaced. Last time this cost us over
> 4800 euro (7000 USD), and I am wondering what kind of lifetime others expect
> for the fibers. To me this sounds like a high unexpected annual cost, and I
> have not seen it with other confocal systems here or elsewhere. If any of
> you have useful information, this is part no 51905-488 (manufacturer unkonwn).
>
> Best regards
>
> Pertti Panula
>  

--
Gabor Csucs
Light Microscopy Centre, ETH Zurich
Schafmattstrasse 18, HPM F16
CH-8093, Zurich, Switzerland

Web: www.lmc.ethz.ch
Phone: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [hidden email]

[Craig Brideau]

How is the fiber failing?  I assume it is breakage?  Usually this
results from a tight bend near the connectors on either end of the
fiber.  Is your fiber plastic-tube jacketed, or segmented stainless
steel?  Even with the steel jacket the ends where the fiber joins the
connector are quite fragile.  The jacket DOES help prevent bending the
fiber too much in the middle though, so if your fiber is making a lot
of tight turns on its way to the microscope that might help.  There
are also a number of third-party vendors who will make custom cable
assemblies for you.  Often you can get a good deal from one of these
companies; usually cheaper than buying a replacement from a microscope
vendor.  I also like to keep a spare fiber on hand so that if there is
a breakage I can swap it out myself to save time.

Craig



On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 8:48 AM, Gabor Csucs <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Dear Pertti,
>
> Leica (as Zeiss) uses optical fibers from PointSource to couple the lasers
> into the scan-head. Typically the fibers last quite long (one of our Leica
> machines is running for 10 years), but bending them too much may destroy
> them. The fibers themselves (especially as you don't need the incoupling)
> should cost around 1000 GBP - so way less then your 4800 Euro. The fiber
> could be exchanged also by you, although the alignment (getting the maximum
> incoupling efficiency) may be time consuming. Leica (but probably also other
> companies as well) have the tendency to have at least 2x higher prices for
> the replacement components then if you buy it directly from the
> manufacturer.
>
> Cheers   Gabor
>>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> We have two Leica SP2 AOBS confocal systems. The one purchased in Dec 2003
>> had a problem with the optic fiber of the Argon 488 laser (almost no light
>> passed), and the fiber was changed in Feb 2008. The new fiber is now dead
>> as
>> well (after 1.5 yrs), and should be replaced. Last time this cost us over
>> 4800 euro (7000 USD), and I am wondering what kind of lifetime others
>> expect
>> for the fibers. To me this sounds like a high unexpected annual cost, and
>> I
>> have not seen it with other confocal systems here or elsewhere. If any of
>> you have useful information, this is part no 51905-488 (manufacturer
>> unkonwn).
>>
>> Best regards
>> Pertti Panula
>>
>
>
> --
> Gabor Csucs Light Microscopy Centre, ETH Zurich
> Schafmattstrasse 18, HPM F16 CH-8093, Zurich, Switzerland
>
> Web: www.lmc.ethz.ch
> Phone: [phone]
> Mobile: [phone]
> Fax: [phone]
> e-mail: [hidden email]
>