ApplicAtions news
For the latest applications news from the photonics industry go to
www.electrooptics.com/applications
combination delivers breakthrough in live cell imaging
PicoQuant has combined its MicroTime 200 time-resolved confocal fluorescence microscope with Bruker’s BioScope Catalyst atomic force microscope (ATM). The combination of these systems enables simultaneous recordings of AFM and optical images of the same sample region and makes new investigations in the field of live cell imaging feasible. The combined set-up of the MicroTime 200 and the Bioscope Catalyst is straightforward without the need of larger modifications of the two systems. The synchronised data acquisition enables scientists to analyse, for example, the impact of protein changes on cell shape and structure. It allows high-resolution imaging by merging of sub nanometer topography with optically encoded functionality, and investigations of inter- and intramolecular distances using force spectroscopy. The synchronisation of
the two instruments was realised in collaboration between PicoQuant and Bruker. The Bioscope Catalyst AFM including its sample stage is mounted onto the inverse microscope body of the MicroTime 200, which is configured for objective scanning. In this way, precise overlay of the confocal volume and the AFM tip can be realised.
10 coated mirrors used in dark energy experiment
thin film coating specialist Precision Glass & optics (PG&o) has delivered optical mirrors to texas A&M University and the University of texas at Austin for the VIrUS instrument, which is part of the Hobby- eberly telescope Dark energy experiment, or HetDeX. the $36m international research project will study the force that causes the expansion of the universe to speed up, rather than slow down. this poorly understood force is known as dark energy. Since dark energy makes up more than 70 per cent of the universe, understanding this force is considered one of the top challenges in physics today. the innovative VIrUS system is comprised of 150
small, individual replicas of a single spectrograph. the optical mirrors provided by PG&o for the VIrUS collimator fold mirror were specified for the operational wavelength range of 345-700nm and are optimised in the 350-590nm range, with average reflectivity of greater than 99 per cent, and greater than 95 per cent between 345 and 700nm. the absolute reflectivity is greater than 98 per cent between 350 and 590nm, and greater than 92 per cent in the 345-700nm range. Angle of incidence is at 12.5 ±5°. these mirrors also have to perform in
extreme environmental conditions (-25 to +66°c) and to meet Mil-c-48497 abrasion/adhesion durability standards. the other optical specifications include a surface figure of λ/8 at 632nm rMS surface quality at 40-20 scratch-dig, and surface roughness of 2nm rMS.
PG&o provides high-performance optical
components and thin film coatings for extremely demanding tasks. the reflective coatings on borosilicate glass have an lifetime of 20 years. the instrument is designed to gather light
from galaxies and split it into individual spectral wavelengths. the spectrum will reveal an object’s chemical composition, its temperature, and the speed at which the universe is stretching between the detected galaxies and earth. VIrUS will capture spectra from 33,000 points on the sky, using fibre optics to transfer the light from the Hobby-eberly telescope (Het) focal plane to the huge replicated array of spectrographs. this will permit HetDeX astronomers to produce a 3D map of a large volume of space, indicating how fast the universe expanded at different periods, which will help reveal the role that dark energy has played during different eras.
laser marking for surgical instruments
As part of an ongoing programme of continuous investment, Dentafix UK, a manufacturer of high-quality dental and surgical hand instruments, has recently introduced a laser marking system from rofin-baasel UK. With more than 30 years’
experience, the Dentafix now produces in excess of 30,000 instruments each month using high-quality stainless steels. the rofin easyMark e Line
was selected by Dentafix as it is a compact, self-contained and purpose-designed system for
ElEctro optics l october 2011
marking small instruments and components. the laser offers high levels of accuracy and reliability, important attributes in a demanding production environment. Now fully operational, the
performance of the system is such that it exceeds Dentafix’s production requirements. this additional capacity is now being offered to other companies manufacturing small- to medium- sized components that require high-quality marking. the rofin easyMark laser
system uses a diode-pumped Nd:YVo4
laser source and is
capable of marking a wide range of metal and plastic components. With a marking field of 120 x 120mm and the capacity to accommodate components up to 450 x 150 x 200mm in size, the manufacturer will be able to process a diverse range of parts on a sub-contract basis.
www.electrooptics.com
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