Microscope Controls; Focus; Fine/Coarse Focus; Lowering The Objectives - Olympus Fluoview-1000 User Manual

V.M. Bloedel Hearing Research Center, Core for Communication Research
Center on Human Development and Disability, Digital Microscopy Center

Microscope controls.

7.
There are a few manual controls
7.1

Focus.

The IX-81 has a single focus knob, Figure 12.1, on each side of the stand. It is used for both coarse and
fine focus.

7.1.1 Fine/Coarse Focus.

Press the F/C button, Figure 12.2, adjacent to the focus knob to toggle between coarse and fine focus
settings.

7.1.2 Lowering the Objectives.

Press the ESC button, Figure 12.3, adjacent to the focus knob, to drop the objective or raise it back to the
focus position. This is important when changing samples or stage inserts to avoid damaging the
objective. The microscope controller will not change objectives if the objective turret is in the dropped
position. Occasionally, the turret will not raise back, in this case switch to coarse focus to bring the
objective close to focus then switch back to fine focus.

7.1.3 Manual shutter.

This manual shutter allows blocking quickly either the laser beam or the mercury lamp. Push the lever
away from you to close the shutter (solid circle) and pull it towards you to open the shutter (open circle).
7.2

Differential Interference Contrast (DIC).

This enables high contrast, high resolution images by transmitted light from samples that are only
stained with fluorescent labels. Using DIC greatly reduces photobleaching while locating the sample or
a region of interest. There are 2 components to be manually adjusted for DIC - Koehler illumination and
the DIC analyzer. Setting Koehler illumination is essential if collecting an image with the confocal's
transmitted light detector.

7.2.1 DIC Analyzer.

This is on a slider below the objective lens turret, Figure 12.4. This should be pulled out during routine
confocal imaging to remove it from the optical path. The analyzer will reduce fluorescent signal
strength, create reflections and distort the image, reducing resolution! The degree of DIC contrast is
adjusted with the knob, Figure 12.6. The DIC contrast is greatest with the knob at the midpoint of its
motion and least with the knob at either extreme of its rotation. You might want to use the locking
screw, Figure 12.5 to prevent the analyzer from accidentally being pushed into the light path.
May 11, 2011
Olympus Fluoview-1000 User's Guide
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