Re: Z sections

Posted by Carol Norris on
URL: http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/Z-sections-tp1142113p1142418.html

Hi Matt,

Just some advice for after you've decided how many sections to use. Don't try to use one of the other preset #sections that appear when you click on the "sect" button.  I found that this causes the coordinates for the top and/or bottom of the stack to change. I tested this by imaging the same stack three times in a row at different preset section numbers, and found that the top of the stack had changed by 3 microns.  Leica had no explanation for this, they just said to select "others,"  which brings up a window in which you can enter either a section spacing or the number of sections.  

Regards,

Carol

On Oct 3, 2008, at 10:40 AM, Matthew Pearson wrote:

Hi all,

I have a question concerning Z sectioning.  We have a Leica SP2 and when set the top and bottom range for a Z stack, the software automatically calculates the optimised number of sections, which is nearly always over 100!  This is however not practical as the stacks take too long to acquire.  Can anyone shed some light on how the software decides how many slices are necessary and if I haven't got time to take 100, how can I work out what will be a sufficient number.

Thanks for your help in advance.

Matt Pearson.

Carol E. Norris, Ph.D

Facility Scientist

Flow Cytometry/Confocal Microscopy Facility

Biotechnology/Bioservices Center

University of Connecticut Unit 3149

91 N. Eagleville Rd

Storrs, CT 06269-3149

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