Nikon Optiphot Instructions
The ImageCORE’s Nikon Optiphot-2 is set up as a digital fluorescence acquisition microscope. The Eclipse is coupled to a 12-bit Roper Coolsnap CF digital capture camera. This system should be used to observe and record images prior to use of other, higher resolution, ImageCORE resources.
Power Up Procedure
• For your protection as well as the equipment, please dawn gloves provided to you by the ImageCORE at no charge
• Carefully remove the protective dust cover from the microscope ensuring that the back of the cover does not catch or move the mercury supply adjustments
• The Nikon Optiphot-2 has 2 power supplies. The order in which these supplies are turned on is important. Begin by turning on the main power supply (1.1). The slider (1.2) located next to the power switch is used for white light source intensity adjustment.
• Should you desire fluorescence excitation, you will need to turn on the mercury light source. It is imperative that the mercury source is used for duration of at least 15minutes. Likewise, it is also imperative that the mercury source not be switched on after prior use for at least 30 minutes.
• In order to illuminate the mercury light source, turn on the power supply (1.3). Next, in order to ignite the bulb, press and hold the “ignition” button (1.4). Once the bulb is properly ignited, the “ready” light will illuminate.
Image Acquisition
• Select the appropriate excitation wavelength using the filter cube selection slider (2.1). Further compose your image using the focus and translation stage. When you are not actively observing or imaging your sample, it is important to engage the shutter (2.2) and block the excitation light to your sample. When the shutter is depressed, the light path is undisturbed and excitation can occur. Subsequently, when the shutter is pulled out, the light path is disturbed.
• In order to set the scope for digital capture, it is necessary to manipulate the “eyepiece/camera” selector (2.3). When depressed, the eyepieces are in the light path and when pulled out, the digital camera is in the light path.
• Having configured the microscope properly as discussed herein, it is now time to configure the computer system for digital image capture. Please refer to the separate instruction document entitled “Computer Login/Image Acquisition Instructions.”
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