http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/Safe-to-run-multiphoton-laser-at-100-power-for-overnight-continuous-imaging-tp7588726p7588733.html
Even before the microscope there can be substantial power loss. I am not familiar with the table optics used in your system, but assuming you have a bunch of mirrors, a Pockels cell, and potentially a beam expander, you would be surprised how 'little' of those 3 W actually get into the microscope. The same is then true in the microscope as well: depending on the optics you will see a further drop off.
In line with what Craig said, I would suggest you measure the power at the sample plane, as well as the power going into the actual microscope scanhead (if you can access that point). This will give you an idea of what you are actually dealing with.
In over 15 years working with multiphoton systems (both in the lab and working for a microscopy company), I have not seen an objective 'burn out'. Pockels cells have upper limits, but the system should have been set up from the start to attenuate the beam prior to the Pockels, if the direct laser output is above that threshold. In general, Pockels cells can deteriorate over time, as Brian mentions, but that will heavily depend on how well the Pockels cell is aligned.
Regarding your actual question: If you want a statement that you can rely on (including in terms of warrantee) I would strongly recommend asking your Zeiss representative.
Dr. Christian Wilms / Research & Development Manager
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Craig Brideau <
[hidden email]>
> Sent: 25 September 2018 17:13
> Subject: Re: Safe to run multiphoton laser at 100% power for overnight
> continuous imaging?
>
> *****
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>
> You do raise a valid point Brian, the power of most Ti:Saphs varies fairly
> dramatically by wavelength. The transmission through the optical system will
> also be different, and what the system considers '100%' may not actually be
> that much power under certain situations. In most cases, however, a Ti:Saph
> can produce much more power than is necessary for imaging.
> Try measuring the power out of the objective when set to 100% to see what
> you are actually getting; maybe it isn't that much compared to the output of
> the laser once all the system losses are considered.
>
> Craig
>
> On Tue, Sep 25, 2018 at 9:41 AM Armstrong, Brian <
[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
> > *****
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> >
> > Hi Dale, it depends in part on the wavelength. As I imagine you
> > already know the output power at say 1050nm is far lower than say
> > 800nm. I do not think the LASER "cares" what your output power is. As
> > for the optics I cannot say. I think that they fall off in
> > transmittance above a given wavelength in the IR range but I do not
> > know if this is because of a coating or properties of the lens??? I
> > have heard stories of people burning objectives. Pockels cells will also burn
> out after around 10 years or so.
> >
> > P.S. How do you like the 10x/0.5 W for 2P work?
> >
> > Brian Armstrong PhD
> > Associate Research Professor
> > Developmental and Stem Cell Biology
> > Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases
> > Director, Light Microscopy Core
> > Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Confocal Microscopy List
> > [mailto:
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> > On Behalf Of Moulding, Dale
> > Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2018 5:56 AM
> > To:
[hidden email]
> > Subject: Safe to run multiphoton laser at 100% power for overnight
> > continuous imaging?
> >
> > [Attention: This email came from an external source. Do not open
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> >
> >
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> >
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> >
> > Dear list,
> >
> > I've been asked to run our 2 photon laser (Mai Tai eHP DeepSee) at
> > full power (3W) non-stop over night to scan a large sample.
> > When doing ablations we run at 100% and I hadn't even given it a
> > second thought, as the ablations are over in a flash.
> > However, continuously (4 to 16 hours) running 100% 800nM at 3W I'm
> > concerned we may damage the optics of the system. It will be on a
> > Zeiss Examiner, going through Zeiss's 10x0.5 or 20x1.0 water dippers.
> > Has anyone ever imaged / ablated with a 2P laser continuously at full
> > power?
> > Should I be concerned that the objectives may be damaged?
> >
> > Cheers
> >
> > Dale
> >
> >
> > Dale Moulding PhD FRMS
> > ICH Light Microscopy Facility
> > Room W2.06, BDRC office
> > UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
> > 30 Guilford St
> > London WC1N 1EH
> > Mob: 07787 699609
> > Tel: 020 7905 2753
> >
> >
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ich/core-scientific-facilities-centres/confocal-m> > icroscopy
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