Sponsored Content: Four ways to enhance your microscopy work
With budgets being squeezed ever tighter, it’s never been more important to maximise the performance and life of existing imaging and microscopy equipment. With the right components, you can motorise and automate manual microscopes and even extend the performance of high-end microscopy systems for a fraction of the cost of investing in new equipment.
1. Use laser autofocus for reliable and continuous imaging.
Laser autofocus systems ensure sharp, uninterrupted imaging with no need for manual refocusing. They use a laser to determine the focal plane and automatically adjust the imaging depth using a motorized offset lens. The result is drastically reduced scanning times or the ability to hold focus continuously during long time lapse experiments.
Prior’s PureFocus850 uses an 850 nm laser and is suitable for both life science and industrial applications. It can be used with a wide range of samples from live cell cultures to industrial materials.
2. Extend the performance of high-end microscopy systems with piezo-driven nanopositioning devices.
Extremely precise and accurate positioning at the nanoscale is essential for microscopy techniques that require high resolution and stability. Super-resolution microscopy (e.g. PALM/STORM), total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) and multiphoton microscopy often need 'low-nanometre' resolution piezo stage for optical or sample positioning.
The Queensgate range of nanopositioning stages and piezo focusing devices not only offers the fastest step and settle times available, but they are also widely compatible with most brands of microscope as well as Prior’s microscope stages.
3. Install a linear stage for ultra-precise, smooth movements.
The low-friction of linear motor drives offers exceptional acceleration and deceleration for smooth, steady positioning at high speeds. They provide controlled constant velocity for applications such as continuous motion scanning or stitch mosaicking.
The HLD117 linear stage from Prior is compatible with Nikon and Evident/Olympus microscopes. Its slim profile makes it easy to load while the flat top facilitates sample loading. The frictionless drives allow rapid movements and constant velocity scanning, combined with near silent operation. Offering exceptional precision and accuracy the HLD117 is suitable for life science and industrial applications.
4. Don’t compromise on specific requirements: consider customised components or systems.
For certain techniques or applications with very specific requirements standard products may not be optimal and customisation is the best choice. Prior’s component customization process allows our clients to take established, proven products from our extensive range of components and modify them to suit their applications.