http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/Argon-ion-laser-age-noise-and-effect-on-images-tp7586010p7586021.html
How does this laser behave with the other lines? I recently had a multi-line argon scanning with blank lines and blocks of fields, but only with the 488 nm line. It was still delivering about 80% of new power. A laser power supply and alignment did not change the problem. The problem turned out to be the AOTF.
> On Nov 17, 2016, at 7:55 PM, Jacqui Ross <
[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> ***** To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
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> Hi everyone,
>
> One further comment which I forgot to include which may be very relevant. We replaced the power supply for the argon ion laser last year after experiencing some fluctuations including black lines in the image. Although I thought that lasers and power supplies came as a pair, I was told that we didn’t need to replace the laser, only the power supply. If anyone else has knowledge about this, it would be very helpful.
>
> Thanks to Patty who has advised me that she was also told that both needed to be replaced.
>
> To Paul, Craig and Zdenek; thanks for your valuable suggestions for further testing. I will try these ideas next week.
>
> Hi Rosemary, we do have our system serviced every year and the alignment is checked and should be OK as it was just serviced in September. However, I will go back to our engineer to check that. He also does the power level testing each time and I managed to get the historical data off him which is how I now know that it’s dropped to 1/3 of its previous power level.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Jacqui
> From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:
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> Sent: Friday, 18 November 2016 1:20 p.m.
> To:
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> Subject: Argon ion laser - age/noise and effect on images..?
>
> ***** To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
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> Hi everyone,
>
> I’m hoping that someone can help me to confirm whether an effect I am seeing with one of our confocal microscopes is likely to be due to the ageing of an argon ion multiline laser.
>
> The laser is about 8 years old and the power level has dropped to about 1/3 of the original output but we are still able to excite the fluorophores very well at AOTF controlled percentages <5%.
>
> What I’m noticing is that when I use the argon ion laser, e.g. 488nm line, the images look much more granular than when using other lasers when similar voltages are being used at the PMT. I’ve checked the other detectors and it doesn’t seem to be related to the PMTs.
>
> Much slower speeds and more averaging do improve the images but I’m puzzled by this as the issue is there even when the Master gain/voltage is at a level which I wouldn’t normally need to go slower/average as much.
>
> Can anyone tell me whether the age of the laser can cause issues like this? I’m wondering if we should just replace it. We only normally replace lasers when they expire.
>
> Or if there are some tests that I can do to further define the issue?
>
> The last measurements were as below for 8A with two different beam splitters;
>
> 488nm 0.51mW (NT 80/20) 2.31mW (MBS488)
>
> Thanks in advance for any ideas.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Jacqui
> Jacqueline Ross
> Biomedical Imaging Microscopist
> Biomedical Imaging Research Unit (BIRU)
> School of Medical Sciences
> Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences
> The University of Auckland
> Private Bag 92019
> Auckland 1142, NEW ZEALAND
>
> Telephone: Ext 87438; DDI: +64 9 923 7438
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