Perfect Focus System by Nikon

[Stéphane Pagès]

Search the CONFOCAL archive at http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal

Hi everybody,
I am interested in the overall performances of the Perfect Focus System by Nikon.
I would like to know which maximal amplitude and at which maximal speed, the system is able to correct for a change in focus of a specimen.

Maybe some of you know and use this system ....
Thanks a lot
Stephane
--
Stéphane Pages PhD
Neurobiologie cellulaire
Centre de Recherche Université Laval Robert-Giffard (CRULRG)
Bureau/office: F-5570
2601, Chemin de la Canardière
Beauport (Québec) G1J 2G3
Canada
Tél: [phone] ext. 4712 (bur./office)
Fax: [phone]
Courriel/email: [hidden email]

[Kevin Braeckmans]

Search the CONFOCAL archive at http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal

 

We are using the PFS system on a Nikon TE2000 E microscope for about two years now and are quite happy with it. It accurately keeps the focal position constant over very long times (we have tested up to 24h), so ideal for long time lapse experiments. I find it also very convenient just for scanning through the sample: since the sample is never entirely horizontal, when scanning to different regions the focus position changes (relative to the cover glass); the PFS nicely corrects for that since it uses the cover slip as a reference and you can scan your entire sample at a constant focal depth without having to refocus all the time.

 

On our TE2000 the PFS system is an add-on module. It detects the cover slip many times per second, so it is really fast in detecting and correcting for z-drift of the sample. Axial focal range is limited to about 20 micron though, so not suitable for 3-D imaging of very thick samples. Also, due to a dichroic filter in the unit, fluorescence emission is cut off at around 680 nm.  In the latest Nikon microscope stand it is already built in with better specifications (spectral cut-off at around 750nm and larger z-travel).

 

Best regards,

 

Kevin

 

Van: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] Namens Stéphane Pagès
Verzonden: woensdag 23 juli 2008 17:45
Aan: [hidden email]
Onderwerp: Perfect Focus System by Nikon

 

Search the CONFOCAL archive at http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal

Hi everybody,
I am interested in the overall performances of the Perfect Focus System by Nikon.
I would like to know which maximal amplitude and at which maximal speed, the system is able to correct for a change in focus of a specimen.

Maybe some of you know and use this system ....
Thanks a lot
Stephane
--
Stéphane Pages PhD
Neurobiologie cellulaire
Centre de Recherche Université Laval Robert-Giffard (CRULRG)
Bureau/office: F-5570
2601, Chemin de la Canardière
Beauport (Québec) G1J 2G3
Canada
Tél: [phone] ext. 4712 (bur./office)
Fax: [phone]
Courriel/email: [hidden email]