How to Turn On:

Power switches to turn on system:
Mercury Lamp	The first piece of equipment to go on (if needed) before any of the power strips is the Hg lamp.  As shown in this picture, it is off.  Simply turn the power switch on and wait up to a full minute for the lamp to come on.
Shutters and camera	This one power switch is supposed to turn on the camera and the automated shutters.  However, people sometimes incorrectly turn off the individual components so you may want to check they are turned on properly before running the software.
Microinjection and accessories	This one power switch turns on and off the microinjection system.  Other accessories needed ONLY when the microinjection apparatus is on may be plugged in here.
	Computer power switch is on the front of the box.  The computer is usually on.  Check that the computer isn't in standby mode by checking that the monitor is turned on and by moving the mouse or tapping the <shift> key before pressing the power switch.  If the computer really is off, press the on/off button.
The heated stage will lie flat in only one orientation.  The line on the edge of the stage must be within the narrow range shown.
THE BIOPTECHS OBJECTIVE HEATER INSTRUCTIONS ARE ON A DIFFERENT WEB PAGE. [CLICK HERE]

1. Run IP Lab
2. Choose a default folder to save your files.
3. Save all files in the User Files folder.  Files found anywhere else on the computer will be deleted without warning.

Focusing the sample

Fluorescence

1. Press F1 to open the fluorescence shutter.
2. Select the appropriate filter on the filter wheel turret. (Blue (Wu), Green, Red, Cy5)
3. Focus the specimen with the coarse and fine adjustment knobs.

Phase Contrast

1. Press F2 to open the transmitted light shutter.
2. Make sure that the diffusion filter and the IF550 filter (green interference filter) are in the light path.
3. Choose the appropriate phase setting on the condenser.
   • Ph1 - 10x, 20x
   • Ph2 - 40x
   • Ph3 - 60x
4. Focus the specimen.
   
   

Preparing to Image

1. Turn the beam splitter, knob on the right side of the microscope, to eye/SP. This sends 80% of light to the camera and allows for viewing through the eyepieces.
2. Press F4 for a live preview of the sample.
3. If necessary, refocus the sample while looking at the image on the monitor. This will be the final image.
4. For phase or brightfield imaging, align the microscope for Koehler Illumination:
   • Close the luminous field diaphragm completely.
   • Look into the eyepieces and focus the (edges) diaphragm image by raising or lowering the condenser with the height adjustment knob on either side of the condenser.
   • Center the diaphragm image with the two large, silver screws at the front of the condenser.
   • Open the luminous field diaphragm until it is at the edge of the field of view.
     *Contrast (for brightfield and DIC) can be adjusted using condenser diaphragm. (lever on the left of the Long Working Distance condenser).
     **The Koehler Illumination should be checked and adjusted every time you switch objective lenses or if you are imaging live cells, every time you change dishes .
   • Click here for an illustrated version of Koehler Illumination.
5. Place the cursor over a bright area on the image. Note the number at the bottom left of the image window. This is the intensity value of the pixel the cursor points to. Adjust the exposure time so that this value is within 3000 - 4000.
6. This exposure time is for an image of a binning of 2X2.
   

Capturing the Image

Method 1(Quick Snap):

*Shutter remains open during image capture. Press F1/F2 to close the shutter after the image is collected.
* Note: To collect a 1X1 bin image, multiply calibrated exposure time (ms) from above by 4.

• Make sure the microscope is set to .
• Use Shift + F11 to set the exposure time and binning (image size) for keys F9, F10, F11, and F12.
• Press the appropriate key to take the picture.
• Save images as .TIFF format.

Method 2:

• To collect a transmitted light image (brightfield, phase, Nomarski), press Shift + F2.
• Press Shift + F1 to acquire a fluorescence image.
• Enter this exposure time and binning.
• Press Enter or click OK to collect the image.
• The brightest spot in the final image should have a maximum number in box at bottom left of the window between 30,000 - 60,000 . If it is smaller than this, image manipulation will be hampered.
• Save images as .TIFF format.

Things you must do at the end of each session:

• Transfer all files to CD, Zip, flash memory key or to your own computer over the network.
• All switches on the black box must be down.
  
• Turn off camera and switches with the one switch on the power strip to the left of the table.  DO NOT turn off the camera and shutters box with their own switches.
  
• If you used microinjection, turn off with the one power strip under the table.  DO NOT turn off the microinjection with the switches on the backs of the boxes.  There is no need to ever move the microinjection boxes.
  
• Turn off halogen/transmitted light on microscope with switch at back right.
• Log out of your computer account.
• Leave the area clean.
• If used, remove heating collar from objective and heated stage.  Microscope must be left with a normal stage on it.
• See Standard Configuration above for checklist of how things should be.
• Leave mercury lamp on for next user unless you are absolutely positive you are the last user of the day.
• Confirm you signed in and out of log book.