Cleaning Procedure For Optical Elements - Nanolive 3D Cell Explorer-fluo User Manual

9.

Cleaning Procedure for optical elements

First, inspect the optical elements to determine the location of the con-
taminants. This allows you to anticipate the cleaning (typically by a swiping
movement) so that the contaminant is removed from the surface of the
optical element as soon as possible (avoid dragging it around).
Optical surfaces are sensitive to scratches and must thus be cleaned
carefully with the appropriate equipment. We advise to use only new clean
swabs (Texwipe Microdenier or
™
propanol to clean the optics.
Take a fresh and clean swab soaked in ethanol or isopropanol, and with-
out pressure swipe the contaminant away from the center of the optical
element. Use a fresh side of the swab after each contact with the optical
surface in order to avoid re-deposition of removed contaminants.
Please clean first the most exposed optical surfaces, with thus higher
probability of contamination:
• The MO is quite exposed to contamination and it may thus be required
to clean it regularly. (Figure 18)
• The scanning mirror of the rotating arm is not much exposed, and its
cleaning should not be required too often. (Figure 19)
• Finally, the central mirror is not exposed and its cleaning should be
exceptional. (Figure 20)
High concentrations of contaminants may require repeated cleaning.
Alpha series) soaked with ethanol or iso-
Figure 18
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