EPSRC Engineering Instrument Pool

Microscopes

PARK SYSTEMS XE-120 ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE

Atomic force microscopy is a very high-resolution type of scanning probe microscopy, with sub-nanometre resolution. The AFM is one of the foremost tools for imaging and measuring surfaces at the nanoscale. Surface morphology is sensed by scanning an ultra-fine microscopic tip mounted on a flexible cantilever across the sample. A laser is directed at the top of the cantilever from which it is reflected and impinges on a photodetector array. Movement of the cantilever induced by surface features registers as a deflection of the position of the reflected laser signal on the detector array.

The XE-120 is a research-grade AFM capable of surface mapping in both air and liquid environments. Flexible configurations allow integration with inverted optical microscopes and with other advanced optical measurement techniques such as confocal laser scanning microscopy. The XE-120 can operate in topography, phase imaging, force-distance spectroscopy and lateral force measurement modes. Samples may be characterized in liquids and in a temperature-controlled cell. The XE-120 is provided with an anti-vibration table and acoustic enclosure for isolation from environmental disturbance.

NOTE : depending on the application, users may need to buy extra cantilevers during the course of a loan ( typically ~£300 for a box of 10)

Specification

Mechanical
Sample Size: Up to 100 mm × 100 mm, up to 20 mm thick
Sample Mass: Up to 500 g
Sample Stage: 25 × 25 mm with manual micrometer

X-Y Scanner
Scanner Type: Single module parallel-kinematics flexure stage with closed loop feedback
Scan range: 100 μm × 100 μm (10 μm × 10 μm in low voltage mode)
Resolution: < 0.15 nm (<0.02 nm in low voltage mode)

Z Scanner
Scanner Type: Guided flexure stage with closed loop feedback
Scan range: 12 μm (1.7 μm in low voltage mode)
Resolution: < 0.05 nm (<0.01 nm in low voltage mode)

Z Stage
Travel: 30 mm travel
Resolution: 0.08 μm
Max speed: 30,000 step/sec

Upright Optical Microscope
Magnification: 600 × on 19 inch LCD monitor
Resolution: 1 μm (10x objective, 0.28 N.A.)
Effective Picture Elements: XGA 1032 × 778 progressive CCD
Digital Interface: IEEE 1394
Frame Rate: Up to 20 Hz
Field of View: 480 mm × 360 mm
Digital Zoom: Up to 100 ×

Temperature-controlled cell
Temperature range : 0 -180 ° C in 0.1 ° C increments

Electrical
X, Y, Z Control Electronics: Closed-loop hardware feedback scan position control systems in all 3 axes
DSP control: 200 MHz CPU, 4800 MIPS DSP control
D/As: 14 channel DAC (4 × 16 bit, 10 × 12 bit) at 500 kHz settling,
A/Ds: 28 channel ADC (5 × 16 bit with MUX) at 500 kHz sampling
Computer-to-Controller Communication: USB

Computer
Computer: Intel Pentium IV 3.x GHz, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB HD, CD-RW/DVD-ROM, Double LCD monitors
Operating system: Windows XP
Graphics: Super VGA graphics, 1280x1024 pixel

Software
XEP and XEI for data acquisition and image processing respectively

FluoView FV1000F-IX81

Confocal laser scanning microscopy is a form of optical microscopy in which a focused laser beam is scanned along the orthogonal horizontal axes of a specimen in a raster pattern. Emitted fluorescence is detected by a photomultiplier tube and displayed in pixels on a computer monitor. Photons that are emitted from regions out of the focal plane are blocked by a pinhole aperture located in a plane confocal with the specimen, allowing the specimen to be optically sectioned along the vertical axis. The pixel display dimensions are determined by the sampling rate of the electronics and the dimensions of the raster.

The FV1000 incorporates 2 laser scanners in a single compact design for simultaneous confocal fluorescence observation and independent laser light stimulation (the SIM scanner). Synchronization of these two functions ensures that rapid cellular reactions that occur during or immediately following stimulation are not overlooked. Any region of interest can be specified for stimulation and scanning independently, with unrestricted control of variations in timing, duration and intensity. The circular “Tornado” scan provides highly efficient photobleaching and photoactivation in contrast to standard raster-scan patterns. The SIM scanner makes the FV1000 the most suitable confocal microscope for a variety of applications, including FRAP, FLIP, photoactivation, photoconversion, uncaging, laser ablation and many others.

Dimensions

HIROX 3D DIGITAL MICROSCOPE

The Hirox KH-7700 Digital Microscope System provides a 2Mpixel digital camera, light source, 15” LCD colour monitor, computer and software integrated into a single desktop unit. Functions provided include observation and inspection, measurement and analysis, recording and reporting.

A particular feature is the variable-angle rotary head adaptor, which allows subjects to be viewed by operating a 360 degree rotating prism vertically within an angle of 25 to 55 degrees. Rotation direction and speed can be controlled.

The high precision stand has manual and motorized control for the z-axis, and object back-lighting.

A wide range of 2D and 3D measurement functions is provided, including the measurement of point height and the display of surface height and width profiles. Movies can be created using the zoom and rotary head features, and images with annotations and highlighted features can be prepared for reports.

Three lenses and a range of adaptors are available.

• High magnification adaptors convert lens magnification to high magnification, allowing a single lens to be used for a wider range of subject sizes.
• Variable-angle rotary head adaptor allows lateral observation of the subject at several angles with a 360° rotation. The rotary prism can be adjusted to one of four angles (25, 35, 45, or 55) to eliminate dead angles.
• Diffuse lighting adaptors diffuse light from all directions to create soft lighting. Intense reflection is suppressed because the light does not possess directionality and illuminates the subject uniformly. This is effective for observing metal surfaces.
• Variable-angle lighting adaptors allow the lighting angle to be changed from vertical lighting to side lighting, which allows particular features to be highlighted and the image to be optimised.
• Contact and non-contact adaptors allow observation of living subjects, liquids, and other similar surfaces, while safely allowing correct spacing and preventing direct contact of the lens with the object.
• Polarizing adaptors use polarizing filters to suppress reflection from the subject surface. They are very effective for observing printed matter, electronic circuit boards, and other strongly reflective subjects.

MX-2016Z Zoom lens

Magnification range 20x to 160x, with 360° rotary head adaptor. This zoom lens has a compact body that can be hand held and can accommodate numerous applications by attaching various screw-on adapters, including:

• 3D rotary Head and with optional diffuse lighting,
• low magnification (6x to 48x),
• diffuse lighting, polarizing, variable angle lighting,
• non-contact, and contact

MX-5040RZ Zoom lens

Magnification range 50x to 400x with 360° rotary head adaptor. Adaptors are fitted via a snap-on interface, and include adaptors for

• variable angle rotary head, with optional diffuse lighting
• high magnification variable lighting (100x to 800x),
• polarizing, and diffuse lighting
• non-contact

MX-10C 10x Zoom lens with co-axial lighting

Magnification range 350x to 7000x according to objective lens
This lens provides coaxial vertical lighting
OL-700 II  Objective lens    (700x to 7000x)
OL-350 II  Objective lens    (350x to 3500x)
The adaptors provided include:

• polarizing
• optical rotary (alters the observation angle without moving the lens)
• directional lighting (brings out the shape of finely textured surfaces)

Comprehensive technical information is available on the Hirox website:
http://www.hirox-europe.com/products/microscope/index7700.html
Follow the link to "system configuration chart" to find details of the lenses and adapters.