Using The Controls; General Precautions For Observation; Selecting The Fluorescence Mirror Unit - Olympus BX-URA2 Instruction Manual

USING THE CONTROLS

1

General Precautions for Observation

1. Verify that the power supply voltage and frequency match the requirements inscribed on the Rating plate.
2. Make sure that the power cord and connecting cables are plugged in securely.
3. If you perform only transmitted light phase contrast or transmitted light DIC observations, leave one cube position on the
turret empty. This allows for transmission of white light.
The turret must always be set to one of the click position. If it is deviated from a click position, the cover may be deformed
by heat.
4. Enlarge the field iris diaphragm so it just circumscribes the field of view. If decentered, center it using the Allen screwdriver.
5. Always use immersion for oil immersion objectives.
6. If you use an objective with correction collar such as the UPlanSApo40X, UPlanFLN60X, UPlanApo40X or PlanApo40X,
you can correct variations in cover glass thickness by adjusting the correction collar.
Correction procedure
If the cover glass thickness is known, match the correction collar to the cover glass thickness using the collar scale
provided. If the thickness is not known, turn the collection collar and adjust the fine adjustment knob to where the
image is as sharp as possible.
7. Engage the shutter if you interrupt observation for a short time.
(Turning the mercury burner ON and OFF repeatedly will significantly shorten the life span of the burner.)
8. Color fading of specimens
This system features high excitation light intensity to ensure bright observation of dark fluorescence specimens.
In consequence, after long period of observations using high-power objectives, the colors of specimens will fade quicker
than usual, causing the view (contrast) of fluorescent images to deteriorate.
In such a case, slightly reduce the excitation light intensity to slow color fading down and improve the fluorescence
images.
To reduce the excitation light intensity, use ND filters or aperture iris diaphragm as far as the observation is not affected or
use the shutter to limit the exposure of specimen to more than necessary light.
Commercially-marketed color fading protection agent (DABCO, etc.) can also delay fading of specimen colors. The use of
fading protection agent is recommended especially when you perform high-magnification observations frequently.
# Remember that the fading protection agents cannot be used with certain kinds of specimens.
2

Selecting the Fluorescence Mirror Unit

Select the fluorescence mirror unit which matches the fluorochrome in use.
# Never mount or use the U-MBF3 brightfield mirror unit together with a with a mirror unit for fluorescence. The U-
MBF3 brightness is excessive and injury to the eyes could occur. If this type of mirror unit is to be used together
with a mirror unit for fluorescence, use the U-MBFL3 mirror unit equipped with a built-in ND filter or add a 3% ND
filter to the U-MBF3.
}Use according to the excitation wevelength:
Olympus has prepared some sets of fluorescence mirror unit combined with appropriate filters which are variable de-
pending on wavelengths.
The wide-band (W) set is normally used. There may be cases, however, where superwide-band (SW) or Narrow-band (N)
sets are recommendable.
@Extremely weak fluorescence brightness
(B- and G-excitation only):
² Specimens emitting strong autofluorescence:
8
Use the super-wide band (SW).
}With the SWB, strong autofluorescence may reduce
image contrast.
Use the narrow band (N).
}The fluorescence bright is somewhat reduced.