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| Laser TIRF 3 - The Complete System |
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The new Laser TIRF 3 device generation: Every detail is designed to meet the demanding requirements of live cell research.
The system is compact and easy to operate. It features a new, AOTF-controlled laser module for up to six laser lines. And, for the first time, there is a motorized version for reproducible setting of the TIRF angle – all for significantly more quality in scientific practice.
Future-oriented technology for complex research assignments
Integrated into the Axio Observer research platform, Laser TIRF 3 combines a maximum of information and safety with the greatest ease of operation. The apochromatically corrected beam path ensures the best possible image quality. The AxioVision software can be operated intuitively and easily adapts to your specific requirements.
| More than just an option: The new TIRF sliders |
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| Automated Slider |
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| Manual Slider |
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Optimized for even more diverse applications: the motorized TIRF slider for reproducible angle settings.
Its mechanical design provides a penetration depth resolution of 5 nm within the middle range of TIRF angles.
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| • | The TIRF angle is saved by the AxioVision system software and can be reset at any time. |
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| • | The apochromatically corrected optical system allows the use of any laser wavelength between 405 and 650 nm with a common beam focus. |
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| • | All available laser lines are coupled into the TIRF slider, and thus into the microscope's beam path, by a broadband fiber. |
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| • | The expanded focusing range of the TIRF slider allows the use of a wide variety of stages and piezo focusing attachments, or the combination of TIRF and AFM (atomic force microscopy). |
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In sum, this means a maximum of flexibility and ergonomic operating convenience, and a broad spectrum of applications with many possible combinations.
| Best optics for optimum TIRF angles and image quality |
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To make interactions of individual molecules near the interface between coverslip and sample medium visible, an objective must have a numerical aperture that provides a TIRF angle of at least 61°. Carl Zeiss has specially designed two objectives for TIRF:
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αPlan-Apochromat 100x/1.46 Oil
provides an angle of up to 75° | αPlan-Fluar 100x/1.45 Oil
provides an angle of up to 73°. |
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Depending on the wavelength, penetration depths of < 100 nm are achieved. Both the TIRF-optimized filter sets and the newly designed beam path in the TIRF slider minimize reflections and interferences in the image.
Overview: Objectives
| Sophisticated and well-conceived: Laser safety |
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Protection against laser light.
Carl Zeiss has designed a laser safety device specifically for Laser TIRF. It guarantees your safety and allows you to work without restrictions.
Optimum for the specimen and the user: Incubation with laser safety
For long-term observation under physiological conditions, you can choose from several incubators to suit your application:
Incubator PM (laser-safe), Incubator XL (multicompatible: red for all wavelengths up to 561 nm, and black for all wavelengths up to 650 nm), and Incubator S TIRF.
The incubation components are controlled via the AxioVision software. A mature laser safety concept permits unencumbered work with all laser lines and energies. At the touch of a button you can switch between laser operation and normal widefield illumination for specimen observation through the eyepieces.
Conveniently, this function can also be assigned to the control buttons on the microscope.
| Top-flight microscopy: Axio Observer |
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As a research platform that is acknowledged to have the world's best fluorescence technology, peerless stability and excellent optics, Axio Observer has become established as a standard instrument in research. In combination with Laser TIRF 3, the semi-motorized Axio Observer.D1 or the fully motorized Axio Observer.Z1 are the versions best suitable. They offer excellent performance in all important aspects. Perfectly matched to the apochromatic reflected-light beam path, the optics of the Laser TIRF 3 slider furnishes top-quality images. The Z focus control permits extremely fine focusing in 10nm intervals.
Ultrafast and with high resolution:
Cameras for fast frame rates |
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For the highest speeds with Laser TIRF 3, Carl Zeiss offers, in addition to the AxioCam camera family, especially sensitive EM CCD cameras such as the Quant EM of Roper Scientific. In the Fast Acquisition mode, this camera is fully integrated in the AxioVision software. With its pixel size of 13 µm and a chip size of 512 x 512 pixels, it is suitable especially for low-light applications and single molecule detection.
For all other TIRF applications, the monochromatic Carl Zeiss AxioCam MR with 12bit dynamic range and high resolution is the camera of choice.
| Interference-free: The special TIRF filter sets |
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Specially designed for TIRF microscopy and perfectly matched to fluorescent proteins and dyes in current use, double and triple bandpass filters allow two or three excitation wavelengths to pass synchronously or sequentially. The new filters are coated onto a special glass substrate, which minimizes interference phenomena.
Overview: Filter sets
Overview: Filtersets | |
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