Re: Temperature and Humidity

Posted by Benjamin Smith on
URL: http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/Temperature-and-Humidity-tp7587387p7587391.html

*****
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.
*****

Right, with optics a stable temperature is more important than an absolute
temperature, as long as the temperature is around room temp.  For humidity,
the biggest concern is condensation damaging the optics.  Basically, the
concern is that say the cooling had a hard time and the room is at 26oC and
70% humidity.  If the temperature then drops to 20oC during an AC cycle,
the relative humidity will then be approaching 100% inside the scope, which
will definitely damage antireflective coatings and dichroic mirrors.  That
is why spec sheets say 60% humidity max, as this give plenty of safety
buffer for temperature fluctuations without risking condensation.  A data
logger is invaluable, both for your own records, and any insurance claims
if necessary.  Also, past 60% humidity you will also notice that near-IR
mode-locked lasers don't perform as well.

-Ben Smith

On Thu, Oct 5, 2017 at 10:15 PM, Balakrishnan Kannan <[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.
> *****
>
> Dear Benjamin,
>
> Thanks. Being in a tropical climate we have a high ambient humidity,
> typically >70%. Some of the lab areas have the AHU that can maintain the
> humidity around 55-60%. If I ask for lower than that it requires portable
> dehumidifier. It adds to the power bill. So we want to be optimal so as to
> maintain the optics free of mould and at the same time reducing
> additional costs.
>
> Temperature can be maintained in the range of 22-23 deg C. I believe that
> is fine as long as it does not vary much.
>
> Best regards,
> Core Imaging Facility Staff
> NTU
>
>
> On 6 October 2017 at 12:07, Benjamin E Smith <[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.
> > *****
> >
> > Shoot for 40% relative humidity and 21.5oC.  Humidity can normally be 20%
> > to 60% while the temperature you will want to be as stable as possible to
> > reduce thermal creep in the optics.  Most microscopes have a spec sheet
> > that states the range they can optimally operate in.
> >
> > On Thu, Oct 5, 2017 at 8:18 PM, Balakrishnan Kannan <
> > [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.
> > > *****
> > >
> > > Dear Microscopists,
> > >
> > > Is there a standard temperature and humidity setting for an imaging
> core
> > > suite where confocal and wide-field microscopes are stationed?
> > >
> > > Thanks for your time.
> > >
> > > Best regards,
> > > Core Imaging Facility Staff
> > > NTU
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Benjamin E. Smith, Ph. D.
> > Imaging Specialist, Vision Science
> > University of California, Berkeley
> > 195 Life Sciences Addition
> > Berkeley, CA  94720-3200
> > Tel  [phone]
> > Fax [phone]
> > e-mail: [hidden email]
> > http://vision.berkeley.edu/?page_id=5635 <http://vision.berkeley.edu/>
> >
>

--
Benjamin E. Smith, Ph. D.
Imaging Specialist, Vision Science
University of California, Berkeley
195 Life Sciences Addition
Berkeley, CA  94720-3200
Tel  [phone]
Fax [phone]
e-mail: [hidden email]
http://vision.berkeley.edu/?page_id=5635 <http://vision.berkeley.edu/>