Low fluorescence glass / silica?

[Kurt Thorn]

Hi All -

I'm working on a project involving imaging of samples under UV
excitation.  One problem we're having is that ordinary coverslips are
quite fluorescent when excited at 290nm.  Does anyone have good leads on
low fluorescence coverslips or cheap silica or quartz coverslips?  The
only sources I've found for fused silica coverslips are quite expensive
- ~$20 each!

Thanks,
Kurt Thorn

[Neil Kad]

Hi Kurt,

We've found the exact same regarding quartz prices, it seems that is how much they cost. We carefully recycle as much as possible to cut down overheads..

Cheers

Neil

> Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2010 11:46:58 -0700
> From: [hidden email]
> Subject: Low fluorescence glass / silica?
> To: [hidden email]
>
> Hi All -
>
> I'm working on a project involving imaging of samples under UV
> excitation. One problem we're having is that ordinary coverslips are
> quite fluorescent when excited at 290nm. Does anyone have good leads on
> low fluorescence coverslips or cheap silica or quartz coverslips? The
> only sources I've found for fused silica coverslips are quite expensive
> - ~$20 each!
>
> Thanks,
> Kurt Thorn

---

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[Vitaly Boyko]

Hi Kurt,

 

Yes, there is no broad market for the fused silica and/or quartz cover glass. Thus, there are no other good options. Cleaning the German cover glass with the hydrogen peroxide + sulfuric acid mixture (piranha solution) is a "no-fun" option.

 

Vitaly 

---

From: Neil Kad <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Wed, June 9, 2010 12:59:08 PM
Subject: Re: Low fluorescence glass / silica?

Hi Kurt,

We've found the exact same regarding quartz prices, it seems that is how much they cost. We carefully recycle as much as possible to cut down overheads..

Cheers

Neil

> Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2010 11:46:58 -0700
> From: [hidden email]
> Subject: Low fluorescence glass / silica?
> To: [hidden email]
>
> Hi All -
>
> I'm working on a project involving imaging of samples under UV
> excitation. One problem we're having is that ordinary coverslips are
> quite fluorescent when excited at 290nm. Does anyone have good leads on
> low fluorescence coverslips or cheap silica or quartz coverslips? The
> only sources I've found for fused silica coverslips are quite expensive
> - ~$20 each!
>
> Thanks,
> Kurt Thorn

---

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[John Oreopoulos]

<base href="x-msg://1251/">If anybody decides to use "piranha solution" to clean their slides/coverslips, please do be very careful! I have heard such horrible stories about lab accidents and even deaths caused by this cleaning/etching solution.

John Oreopoulos

On 2010-06-09, at 7:34 AM, Vitaly Boyko wrote:

Hi Kurt,

 

Yes, there is no broad market for the fused silica and/or quartz cover glass. Thus, there are no other good options. Cleaning the German cover glass with the hydrogen peroxide + sulfuric acid mixture (piranha solution) is a "no-fun" option.

 

Vitaly 

---

From: Neil Kad <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Wed, June 9, 2010 12:59:08 PM
Subject: Re: Low fluorescence glass / silica?

Hi Kurt,

We've found the exact same regarding quartz prices, it seems that is how much they cost. We carefully recycle as much as possible to cut down overheads..

Cheers

Neil

> Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2010 11:46:58 -0700
> From: [hidden email]
> Subject: Low fluorescence glass / silica?
> To: [hidden email]
> 
> Hi All -
> 
> I'm working on a project involving imaging of samples under UV 
> excitation. One problem we're having is that ordinary coverslips are 
> quite fluorescent when excited at 290nm. Does anyone have good leads on 
> low fluorescence coverslips or cheap silica or quartz coverslips? The 
> only sources I've found for fused silica coverslips are quite expensive 
> - ~$20 each!
> 
> Thanks,
> Kurt Thorn

---

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[Kurt Thorn]

In our case, I'm pretty sure that the fluorescence is intrinsic to the glass itself, so pirhana washing won't help.  For those who it is helpful for reducing background (e.g. single molecule folks) I've heard that plasma cleaning of glass is an easier and safer option.

Kurt

On 6/9/2010 4:37 AM, John Oreopoulos wrote:

<base href="x-msg://1251/">If anybody decides to use "piranha solution" to clean their slides/coverslips, please do be very careful! I have heard such horrible stories about lab accidents and even deaths caused by this cleaning/etching solution.

John Oreopoulos

On 2010-06-09, at 7:34 AM, Vitaly Boyko wrote:

Hi Kurt,

 

Yes, there is no broad market for the fused silica and/or quartz cover glass. Thus, there are no other good options. Cleaning the German cover glass with the hydrogen peroxide + sulfuric acid mixture (piranha solution) is a "no-fun" option.

 

Vitaly 

---

From: Neil Kad <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Wed, June 9, 2010 12:59:08 PM
Subject: Re: Low fluorescence glass / silica?

Hi Kurt,

We've found the exact same regarding quartz prices, it seems that is how much they cost. We carefully recycle as much as possible to cut down overheads..

Cheers

Neil

> Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2010 11:46:58 -0700
> From: [hidden email]
> Subject: Low fluorescence glass / silica?
> To: [hidden email]
> 
> Hi All -
> 
> I'm working on a project involving imaging of samples under UV 
> excitation. One problem we're having is that ordinary coverslips are 
> quite fluorescent when excited at 290nm. Does anyone have good leads on 
> low fluorescence coverslips or cheap silica or quartz coverslips? The 
> only sources I've found for fused silica coverslips are quite expensive 
> - ~$20 each!
> 
> Thanks,
> Kurt Thorn

---

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