Spectraphysics vs. Coherent

[Vladimir Ghukasyan-2]

Dear Colleagues,

Earlier I have applied with the request of your opinion on the
comparison of microscopes for 2p imaging. I'm thankful to all the
replies and discussion here. Now another question is selection of the
laser. I'm looking at MaiTai eHP and Chameleon. My concerns now are
stability at temperature changes, stability along the spectrum of
work, output power and GD. There are data sheets that I have and there
was a chance to try the Chameleon; currently we're rolling out testing
for the MaiTai with DeepSee.

I would be thankful for all the comments on both lasers and considerations.

Thank you in advance,
Vladimir

[George McNamara]

Hi Vladimir,

Spectra-Physics had a bad batch of multiphoton lasers a couple of
years ago. A bunch of unhappy customers in L.A. and possibly elsewhere.

I have been extremely pleased with Coherent as a company and the
Chameleon Ultra II as a product. The Coherent field service engineer
determined that one of the beam steering components had very limited
travel range and was the most likely reason our power output was
around 2.3 Watts (800 nm). Coherent service engineers are empowered
to make a decision to swap out a unit that is under service contract
- it was replaced last month. The new unit has peak 3.75 Watts (800
nm). Thanks Shayne!

FYI to the list- swapping out a Chameleon is non-trivial since the
laser head and power supply are on a factory assembled umbilical
cord. Our laser is in a pretty cramped space (power supply on the
floor). If you have an opportunity to design your MP scope layout,
give yourself the space to make it easy to replace the unit. In the
future, many MP systems will have an OPO - so you might want to plan
extra space for future upgrades.

Sincerely,

George

At 03:31 PM 3/16/2010, you wrote:

>Dear Colleagues,
>
>Earlier I have applied with the request of your opinion on the
>comparison of microscopes for 2p imaging. I'm thankful to all the
>replies and discussion here. Now another question is selection of the
>laser. I'm looking at MaiTai eHP and Chameleon. My concerns now are
>stability at temperature changes, stability along the spectrum of
>work, output power and GD. There are data sheets that I have and there
>was a chance to try the Chameleon; currently we're rolling out testing
>for the MaiTai with DeepSee.
>
>I would be thankful for all the comments on both lasers and considerations.
>
>Thank you in advance,
>Vladimir

[Armstrong, Brian]

Hi, just to add another data point: We have two Chameleon systems. We
have had a Chameleon 210 since 2003 and haven't had any problems with
the system other than replacement of the chiller (twice). We are very
happy with Coherent service which is why we bought the Chameleon Ultra
II, which puts out around 3.6W at 800nm.  

Brian Armstrong PhD
Light Microscopy and Digital Imaging
Beckman Research Institute
Neuroscience
X62872
-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]]
On Behalf Of George McNamara
Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2010 1:07 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: Spectraphysics vs. Coherent ... Coherent

Hi Vladimir,

Spectra-Physics had a bad batch of multiphoton lasers a couple of
years ago. A bunch of unhappy customers in L.A. and possibly elsewhere.

I have been extremely pleased with Coherent as a company and the
Chameleon Ultra II as a product. The Coherent field service engineer
determined that one of the beam steering components had very limited
travel range and was the most likely reason our power output was
around 2.3 Watts (800 nm). Coherent service engineers are empowered
to make a decision to swap out a unit that is under service contract
- it was replaced last month. The new unit has peak 3.75 Watts (800
nm). Thanks Shayne!

FYI to the list- swapping out a Chameleon is non-trivial since the
laser head and power supply are on a factory assembled umbilical
cord. Our laser is in a pretty cramped space (power supply on the
floor). If you have an opportunity to design your MP scope layout,
give yourself the space to make it easy to replace the unit. In the
future, many MP systems will have an OPO - so you might want to plan
extra space for future upgrades.

Sincerely,

George

At 03:31 PM 3/16/2010, you wrote:

>Dear Colleagues,
>
>Earlier I have applied with the request of your opinion on the
>comparison of microscopes for 2p imaging. I'm thankful to all the
>replies and discussion here. Now another question is selection of the
>laser. I'm looking at MaiTai eHP and Chameleon. My concerns now are
>stability at temperature changes, stability along the spectrum of
>work, output power and GD. There are data sheets that I have and there
>was a chance to try the Chameleon; currently we're rolling out testing
>for the MaiTai with DeepSee.
>
>I would be thankful for all the comments on both lasers and

considerations.
>
>Thank you in advance,
>Vladimir


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[Craig Brideau]

I work with both an old SP Tsunami and new Coherent Chameleon.  The
Tsunami was built in 2001, and is still working like the day we
received it.  It has only needed maintenance once for a minor
misalignment problem that took the service tech all of 30 minutes to
fix.  The Chameleon is only a year old and has so far been working
well.  Coming from a 'manual' Ti:Saph like the Tsunami though, I find
the Chameleon to be 'whiny'.  The control electronics are so heavily
instrumented it is always complaining about something being low, or
needing to be changed.  It requires more pampering than the Tsunami
but is easier to use for the end user: Tuning is accomplished by
turning a knob and pushing a button.  That said, all our staff who use
the older Tsunami became comfortable with it in about two weeks, and
they can all competently start, tune, and modelock the old girl.  The
Tsunami also allows you to adjust its bandwidth, which is useful as a
basic form of dispersion control.  In fact I noticed one of the newer
'hands off' lasers SP makes now lets you do this as well.

Craig


On Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 10:20 AM, Armstrong, Brian <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi, just to add another data point: We have two Chameleon systems. We
> have had a Chameleon 210 since 2003 and haven't had any problems with
> the system other than replacement of the chiller (twice). We are very
> happy with Coherent service which is why we bought the Chameleon Ultra
> II, which puts out around 3.6W at 800nm.
>
> Brian Armstrong PhD
> Light Microscopy and Digital Imaging
> Beckman Research Institute
> Neuroscience
> X62872
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]]
> On Behalf Of George McNamara
> Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2010 1:07 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: Spectraphysics vs. Coherent ... Coherent
>
> Hi Vladimir,
>
> Spectra-Physics had a bad batch of multiphoton lasers a couple of
> years ago. A bunch of unhappy customers in L.A. and possibly elsewhere.
>
> I have been extremely pleased with Coherent as a company and the
> Chameleon Ultra II as a product. The Coherent field service engineer
> determined that one of the beam steering components had very limited
> travel range and was the most likely reason our power output was
> around 2.3 Watts (800 nm). Coherent service engineers are empowered
> to make a decision to swap out a unit that is under service contract
> - it was replaced last month. The new unit has peak 3.75 Watts (800
> nm). Thanks Shayne!
>
> FYI to the list- swapping out a Chameleon is non-trivial since the
> laser head and power supply are on a factory assembled umbilical
> cord. Our laser is in a pretty cramped space (power supply on the
> floor). If you have an opportunity to design your MP scope layout,
> give yourself the space to make it easy to replace the unit. In the
> future, many MP systems will have an OPO - so you might want to plan
> extra space for future upgrades.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> George
>
> At 03:31 PM 3/16/2010, you wrote:
>>Dear Colleagues,
>>
>>Earlier I have applied with the request of your opinion on the
>>comparison of microscopes for 2p imaging. I'm thankful to all the
>>replies and discussion here. Now another question is selection of the
>>laser. I'm looking at MaiTai eHP and Chameleon. My concerns now are
>>stability at temperature changes, stability along the spectrum of
>>work, output power and GD. There are data sheets that I have and there
>>was a chance to try the Chameleon; currently we're rolling out testing
>>for the MaiTai with DeepSee.
>>
>>I would be thankful for all the comments on both lasers and
> considerations.
>>
>>Thank you in advance,
>>Vladimir
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> SECURITY/CONFIDENTIALITY WARNING:
> This message and any attachments are intended solely for the individual or entity to which they are addressed. This communication may contain information that is privileged, confidential, or exempt from disclosure under applicable law (e.g., personal health information, research data, financial information). Because this e-mail has been sent without encryption, individuals other than the intended recipient may be able to view the information, forward it to others or tamper with the information without the knowledge or consent of the sender. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or person responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution or copying of the communication is strictly prohibited. If you received the communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by replying to this message and deleting the message and any accompanying files from your system. If, due to the security risks, you do not wish to receive further communications via e-mail, please reply to this message and inform the sender that you do not wish to receive further e-mail from the sender.
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> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>

[Erik_LVBT]

Dear Vladimir (and other list-ners)

As a commercial company specializing in multiphoton microscopy, we at
LaVision Biotec use both Spectra-Physics and Coherent lasers. They both
carry excellent products and we have built systems with either or even both
in combination. A little depending on what your applications are and what
your future upgrade plans are, each have their own advantages and
disadvantages.

You are welcome to contact me/us off-list if you want to discuss it further.

Best regards,

Erik
(Sales Manager for Scandinavia and UK)
[hidden email]


-----Ursprungligt meddelande-----
Från: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] För
Armstrong, Brian
Skickat: den 22 mars 2010 17:21
Till: [hidden email]
Ämne: Re: Spectraphysics vs. Coherent ... Coherent

Hi, just to add another data point: We have two Chameleon systems. We
have had a Chameleon 210 since 2003 and haven't had any problems with
the system other than replacement of the chiller (twice). We are very
happy with Coherent service which is why we bought the Chameleon Ultra
II, which puts out around 3.6W at 800nm.  

Brian Armstrong PhD
Light Microscopy and Digital Imaging
Beckman Research Institute
Neuroscience
X62872
-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]]
On Behalf Of George McNamara
Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2010 1:07 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: Spectraphysics vs. Coherent ... Coherent

Hi Vladimir,

Spectra-Physics had a bad batch of multiphoton lasers a couple of
years ago. A bunch of unhappy customers in L.A. and possibly elsewhere.

I have been extremely pleased with Coherent as a company and the
Chameleon Ultra II as a product. The Coherent field service engineer
determined that one of the beam steering components had very limited
travel range and was the most likely reason our power output was
around 2.3 Watts (800 nm). Coherent service engineers are empowered
to make a decision to swap out a unit that is under service contract
- it was replaced last month. The new unit has peak 3.75 Watts (800
nm). Thanks Shayne!

FYI to the list- swapping out a Chameleon is non-trivial since the
laser head and power supply are on a factory assembled umbilical
cord. Our laser is in a pretty cramped space (power supply on the
floor). If you have an opportunity to design your MP scope layout,
give yourself the space to make it easy to replace the unit. In the
future, many MP systems will have an OPO - so you might want to plan
extra space for future upgrades.

Sincerely,

George

At 03:31 PM 3/16/2010, you wrote:

>Dear Colleagues,
>
>Earlier I have applied with the request of your opinion on the
>comparison of microscopes for 2p imaging. I'm thankful to all the
>replies and discussion here. Now another question is selection of the
>laser. I'm looking at MaiTai eHP and Chameleon. My concerns now are
>stability at temperature changes, stability along the spectrum of
>work, output power and GD. There are data sheets that I have and there
>was a chance to try the Chameleon; currently we're rolling out testing
>for the MaiTai with DeepSee.
>
>I would be thankful for all the comments on both lasers and

considerations.
>
>Thank you in advance,
>Vladimir


---------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITY/CONFIDENTIALITY WARNING:  
This message and any attachments are intended solely for the individual or
entity to which they are addressed. This communication may contain
information that is privileged, confidential, or exempt from disclosure
under applicable law (e.g., personal health information, research data,
financial information). Because this e-mail has been sent without
encryption, individuals other than the intended recipient may be able to
view the information, forward it to others or tamper with the information
without the knowledge or consent of the sender. If you are not the intended
recipient, or the employee or person responsible for delivering the message
to the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution or copying of the
communication is strictly prohibited. If you received the communication in
error, please notify the sender immediately by replying to this message and
deleting the message and any accompanying files from your system. If, due to
the security risks, you do not wish to receive further communications via
e-mail, please reply to this message and inform the sender that you do not
wish to receive further e-mail from the sender.

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