Re-using PMTs from Zeiss 510 scanhead

[Lizzy Brama]

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Hi all,

We were having some issues with some old PMTs on our custom multiphoton, but we have managed to locate an 510 scanhead that is no longer required and stripped out the PMTs an relevant electronics. Before I take out the high voltage supply from the Zeiss control board and start from scratch, I wondered whether anyone has done similar, and in particular managed to re-use the entire Zeiss PMT board?

We've created a power source that provides the same voltages to each pin as when it's connected to the main supply, but the response in the high voltage output isn't the same, so I suspect we've made a mistake somewhere. Has anyone identified all the pins on the connector?

Thanks,
Lizzy

[Craig Brideau]

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Hi Lizzy, what are you using for your control voltage? There could be
issues there. Old PMTs can also be more trouble then they are worth as they
don't age well.

Craig

On Wed, Oct 25, 2017 at 10:31 AM, Lizzy Brama <[hidden email]>
wrote:

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> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Hi all,
>
> We were having some issues with some old PMTs on our custom multiphoton,
> but we have managed to locate an 510 scanhead that is no longer required
> and stripped out the PMTs an relevant electronics. Before I take out the
> high voltage supply from the Zeiss control board and start from scratch, I
> wondered whether anyone has done similar, and in particular managed to
> re-use the entire Zeiss PMT board?
>
> We've created a power source that provides the same voltages to each pin
> as when it's connected to the main supply, but the response in the high
> voltage output isn't the same, so I suspect we've made a mistake somewhere.
> Has anyone identified all the pins on the connector?
>
> Thanks,
> Lizzy
>

[Lizzy Brama]

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Hi Craig,

Thanks for your message.
Believe me those PMTs are an upgrade to what we were using before! Since the microscope's main use is IR branding we are not too concerned with great images as long as we can see enough to identify structures of interest.

Identifying the high voltage supply input is exactly where the problem is, since it is not obvious which pin on the connector provides the voltage to the relevant pin on the high voltage supply. I suppose it would become obvious if we connected it to Zeiss software and changed the gain for the PMTs, but this might be difficult to achieve as the scan head is now in parts.

Thanks,
Lizzy

[Mark Cannell-2]

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Hi Lizzy I think the power supply may be a standard Hamamatsu part so you might get some information from their site. The packaged power supplies from Hamamatsu I’ve used are 3 wire with one being a control voltage 0-5V to set the high voltage. Let me know by PM  if I can help further

HTH

Mark B. Cannell. Ph.D. FRSNZ FISHR
Department of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience
School of Medical Sciences
University Walk
Bristol BS8 1TD
 
[hidden email]
 
 

On 26/10/17, 9:02 AM, "Confocal Microscopy List on behalf of Lizzy Brama" <[hidden email] on behalf of [hidden email]> wrote:

    *****
    To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
    http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
    Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
    *****
   
    Hi Craig,
   
    Thanks for your message.
    Believe me those PMTs are an upgrade to what we were using before! Since the microscope's main use is IR branding we are not too concerned with great images as long as we can see enough to identify structures of interest.
   
    Identifying the high voltage supply input is exactly where the problem is, since it is not obvious which pin on the connector provides the voltage to the relevant pin on the high voltage supply. I suppose it would become obvious if we connected it to Zeiss software and changed the gain for the PMTs, but this might be difficult to achieve as the scan head is now in parts.
   
    Thanks,
    Lizzy