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hardware:lasers [2017/08/01 15:36]
Jon Daniels [Getting Dual Outputs] 		hardware:lasers [2023/10/26 16:27]
Jon Daniels [Vortran VersaLase]
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 In general the laser power requirements are very modest, e.g. a few mW of optical power at the sample at most and often less than 1 mW.  The exact power required depends on the sample (fluorophore density, efficiency, required SNR and readout speed to get the biological answers you're seeking).  Light sheet microscopy is used precisely because it doesn't need much excitation light, but every sample will bleach eventually so the intensity is often increased to improve SNR until bleaching becomes problematic. In general the laser power requirements are very modest, e.g. a few mW of optical power at the sample at most and often less than 1 mW.  The exact power required depends on the sample (fluorophore density, efficiency, required SNR and readout speed to get the biological answers you're seeking).  Light sheet microscopy is used precisely because it doesn't need much excitation light, but every sample will bleach eventually so the intensity is often increased to improve SNR until bleaching becomes problematic.
 +
 +Often the laser launch is the most expensive part of the light sheet microscope, so if you are looking to save money then start by looking here.  It is possible to assemble your own laser combiner; see e.g. the [[https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0173879|"Nicolase" combiner]].
  
 The ASI scanner has a fiber optic input with either an FC/PC or FC/APC connector (specify which when ordering).  The focal length of the collimation lens should match the fiber's NA to fill the scanning mirror appropriately, for NA ~0.11 the default 12.5 mm focal length lens works well and for NA ~0.06 order the 20 mm focal length option.  Single-mode fiber is required for intended operation. The ASI scanner has a fiber optic input with either an FC/PC or FC/APC connector (specify which when ordering).  The focal length of the collimation lens should match the fiber's NA to fill the scanning mirror appropriately, for NA ~0.11 the default 12.5 mm focal length lens works well and for NA ~0.06 order the 20 mm focal length option.  Single-mode fiber is required for intended operation.
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 === Micro-manager notes === === Micro-manager notes ===
-  * Use Vortran VersaLase device adapter.  Clunky but undergoing improvement as of May 2016 and supported by Vortran.+  * Use Vortran VersaLase device adapter.  Hardware changes to the launch (circa 2021?) prevent using Micro-Manager with the latest launches as of Oct 2023.  Vortran is aware of the problem; the more customers ask the more likely they will be to allocate resources to fix things.  In the interim you can use an analog output device controlled via Micro-Manager (e.g. ASI's TGDAC4 card, Triggerscope, etc.) to control the laser intensity so that the intensity settings are saved in the image metadata.  
  
  
 ==== Spectral Applied ILE ==== ==== Spectral Applied ILE ====
  
-(no info seems to be available online but similar to LLM5 with dual output option)+(no info seems to be available online but similar to LLM5 with dual output option; Spectral Applied was purchased by Andor but I think the launch is still available from them)
  
 === Implementation notes === === Implementation notes ===
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   * Probably would work if you had way to control intensity, e.g. by DAC card.   * Probably would work if you had way to control intensity, e.g. by DAC card.
  
 +
 +==== Oxxius Laser Combiner ====
 +
 +=== Implementation notes ===
 +  * Dual output available
 +  * Many features and wavelengths available
 +
 +=== Usage ===
 +  * Make sure you place the fiber coupler on its correct magnetic base. Otherwise you can have significant power loss.
 +=== Micro-manager notes ===
 +  * The combiner must be set up as a virtual comm port. Use the "CDC" command. (https://micro-manager.org/Oxxius_combiner) 
 +  *It is recommended that you include, emission, shutters, and digital modulation in the startup group.

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