Introduction

AX Hardware Configurations
Startup

AX Hardware Configurations

Multiple configurations of the microscope are available depending on preferences of the customer. Functions which are available only with a certain configuration are marked by a note such as (requires: AX-SHR). This is the list of options:

General AX Configurations

We can distinguish the configurations according to the imaging technique for which the microscope is equipped.

Basic configuration for confocal visible-light microscopy.

Multiphoton system which contains IR lasers and the NDD detector. No DUX- detectors, no LU* lasers.

AX MP

A combination of both, confocal visible-light microscopy and multiphoton microscopy. IR lasers and NDD (non-descan detector) are added on top of the AX configuration.

Note

The following chapters expect the AX configuration. Sections which are valid for the other configurations are marked accordingly.

Scan Head

AX-SHS

Pair of Galvano scanners

AX-SHR

Pair of Galvano scanners, high-speed (Resonant + Galvano) pair of scanners

Detectors

DUX-VB

The device is equipped with at least one LVF (linear variable filter) for free wavelength range selection

DUX-VB2

2 PMT units equipped with one filter cube wheel and one LVF.

DUX-VB4

4 PMT units equipped with two filter cube wheels and two LVF.

DUX-ST

The device is equipped with 1 or 3 filter cube wheels

DUX-ST2

2 PMT units equipped with one filter cube wheel.

DUX-ST4

4 PMT units equipped with three filter cube wheels.

NSPARC

Nikon SPatial ARray Confocal - an array of 5x5 single photon avalanche diodes is used for detection. This arrangement improves XYZ resolution of the image.

NDD

(requires: MP)

Non-descan detector for collecting fluorescence emission excited by IR lasers.

Lasers

LUA-S4, LUA-S5, LUA-S6

4, 5, or 6 Keysight lasers

LUD-S4, LUD-S5, LUD-S6

4, 5 or 6 Toptica lasers

NIR OBIS

(requires: DUX-VB4) or (requires: DUX-ST4)

Either the 730 nm or the 785 nm model of the NIR OBIS LX laser can be connected to the auxiliary port. It than behaves as the fifth laser of

IR Lasers

(requires: MP)

Single IR

Only one IR laser is used. It can be a fixed-wavelength or a tunable-wavelength IR laser.

Dual IR

One variable-wavelength and one fixed-wavelength, or two fixed-wavelength lasers can be used.

Startup

Start NIS-Elements.
Select the hardware setup containing the AX confocal microscope and confirm it by OK.
Figure 142.
Note
If the hardware setup is not created yet, create one.
Click on the Compact layout tab in the top left corner. This ensures the Acquisition panel is displayed on the right side of the screen. It is divided into several sections:
Figure 143. Acquisition panel of the AX confocal microscope
1. Lightpaths
2. Experiment settings
3. AX Pad
4. Microscope pad
5. AX Scan Area
Select the AX lightpath button to activate the AX Pad and the AX Scan Area panels.
Figure 144.
Other hardware configurations
According to the actual hardware configuration, additional lightpaths are created by default. Options of the Exp. Settings window differs according to which light path is selected.
AX
Confocal imaging. Visible lasers and the DUX detector are used.
AX NSPARC
(requires: NSPARC)
Confocal imaging. Visible lasers and the NSPARC detector are used.
AX MP NSPARC
(requires: AX MP) and (requires: NSPARC)
Multiphoton imaging, IR lasers and the NSPARC detector are used.
AX MP NDD
(requires: AX MP)
Multiphoton imaging. IR lasers and the NDD detector are used.
AX MP DUX
(requires: AX MP)
Multiphoton imaging. IR lasers and the DUX detector are used.
See About Experiment Presets.
Adjust all necessary settings of the AX device and of the microscope pad.
Click on the Lightpath button on the right to display the lightpath scheme. A scheme of your hardware configuration with the expected path of light indicated in it appears. If there is a problem along the way, a warning will appear in the scheme or the color line indicating the light will simply end too soon - for example if a wrong filter is blocking the selected wavelength.
Figure 145. Lightpath scheme with AX connected, no laser selected for acquisition
Before you start the live image, you should define your experiment via the Exp. Settings button.
Proceed to Experiment Settings.

Introduction🔗

AX Hardware Configurations🔗

Note

Startup🔗

Note

Other hardware configurations

Introduction

AX Hardware Configurations

Startup