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Secondary electron detector for VPSEM
TOOLS & TECHNIQUES UPDATE
open architecture facilitate the integration of additional analytical techniques, such as flow measurement, live cell imaging, and fluorescent bead characterization. Contact: www.hyphenated-systems.com
Module for confocal microscope A total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) module is now available for Olympus’ FluoView FV1000 confocal system. This enables total internal reflection of the laser illumination in the glass of the slide or vessel below the sample. This creates an evanescent wave that penetrates a thin surface layer of the sample, enabling very high signal-to-noise ratio imaging of fluorescently labeled molecules in the layer. The penetration depth, and hence the excitation of the fluorescent molecules, is achieved using the FV1000 scanner optics and can be set by the user to a minimum of 50 nm. Time-lapse protocols such as sequential, multi-wavelength TIRFM imaging and variable penetration depth recording can be programmed. Contact: www.olympus-europa.com
Low-power lasers Spectra-Physics, a division of Newport, has launched the Excelsior-473 and Excelsior-532 diode-pumped solid-state lasers. The lasers continuous-wave lasers have wavelengths of 473 nm and 532 nm, respectively. These low-cost versions of the Excelsior family for research applications are operated by a stand-alone 110-240 Vac, 50/60 Hz power supply that has a key switch and safety interlock. Suitable applications include flow cytometry, DNA sequencing, analytical chemistry, and confocal microscopy. The Excelsior-532 line offers a range of multilongitudinal mode and single-frequency versions with power levels of 20-150 mW. The standard Excelsior-473 has an output of 10 mW. Contact: www.newport.com
Research deposition systems Mantis Deposition has launched a full range of lowcost multipurpose deposition systems for research.
A map for microfluidic devices The 3Dmap™ microfluidics analysis platform from Hyphenated Systems provides fast, accurate, and submicron three-dimensional structural characterization of microfluidic devices, including steep slopes, rough surfaces, and subsurface features in transparent media. High-resolution measurement of size and shape is essential in all phases of microfluidics development, from understanding physical phenomena to developing novel devices and controlling the fabrication process. The platform is built around Hyphenated Systems’ advanced confocal microscope. The inverted optics and
62
MARCH 2006 | VOLUME 9 | NUMBER 3
The QPREP Series has a highly versatile chamber with multiple ports/flanges for attaching deposition sources and analytical tools. Radio-frequency/direct current sputtering sources, four-pocket mini electron-beam evaporators, radio-frequency atom/ion sources, thermal gas crackers, and Mantis’ NanoGen50 nanoparticle source can be installed. A high-vacuum load-lock option is available for fast sample cycling and optimum film quality. The NanoGen50 can generate 1-20 nm size nanoparticles, filter them to ±2% in size, and deposit them adherently over a range of acceleration voltages to enable a wide range of film properties to be evaluated. Contact: www.mantisdeposition.com
Software for expanded data access Thermo Electron has introduced Retriever version 3.0, a web-based data extraction and presentation solution that enables secure access to laboratory data. It extracts, aggregates, and transforms data into ‘laboratory information with a business context’. Users do not need access to the original system from which the data is taken. Instead, it delivers information via a single, intuitive user interface. Reports are configured using the new Thermo Report Designer, which allows laboratory-centric functionality to be delivered through the report-writer, easing report development. Retriever enables information from laboratory information management systems (LIMS), as well as database applications such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), process information management systems (PIMS), and chromatography data systems (CDS), to be shared securely and rapidly. Precise control is maintained by a security system. Contact: www.thermo.com
Secondary electron detector for VPSEM Hitachi High-Technologies has a new environmental secondary electron detector (ESED) for its S-3400N variable-pressure scanning electron microscope (VPSEM), which provides a powerful alternative to traditional backscattered imaging and mimicks a conventional secondary electron detector to give good surface data. Secondary electrons from the sample surface can ionize gas molecules in the chamber in ‘high-pressure’ mode, yielding positive and negative ions as well as electrons. An electrode creates an avalanche effect from the ionization. The ion current is collected with improved signal-to-noise, yielding highquality images. The detector has a rapid response and works well at both long and short working distances and both low and high accelerating voltages. The ESED allows simultaneous secondary and backscattered electron imaging, as well as energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Signal mixing allows surface detail from the ESED to be combined with atomic number contrast from backscattered electron detection. Contact: www.hitachi-hitec-uk.com
open architecture facilitate the integration of additional analytical techniques, such as flow measurement, live cell imaging, and fluorescent bead characterization. Contact: www.hyphenated-systems.com
Module for confocal microscope A total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) module is now available for Olympus’ FluoView FV1000 confocal system. This enables total internal reflection of the laser illumination in the glass of the slide or vessel below the sample. This creates an evanescent wave that penetrates a thin surface layer of the sample, enabling very high signal-to-noise ratio imaging of fluorescently labeled molecules in the layer. The penetration depth, and hence the excitation of the fluorescent molecules, is achieved using the FV1000 scanner optics and can be set by the user to a minimum of 50 nm. Time-lapse protocols such as sequential, multi-wavelength TIRFM imaging and variable penetration depth recording can be programmed. Contact: www.olympus-europa.com
Low-power lasers Spectra-Physics, a division of Newport, has launched the Excelsior-473 and Excelsior-532 diode-pumped solid-state lasers. The lasers continuous-wave lasers have wavelengths of 473 nm and 532 nm, respectively. These low-cost versions of the Excelsior family for research applications are operated by a stand-alone 110-240 Vac, 50/60 Hz power supply that has a key switch and safety interlock. Suitable applications include flow cytometry, DNA sequencing, analytical chemistry, and confocal microscopy. The Excelsior-532 line offers a range of multilongitudinal mode and single-frequency versions with power levels of 20-150 mW. The standard Excelsior-473 has an output of 10 mW. Contact: www.newport.com
Research deposition systems Mantis Deposition has launched a full range of lowcost multipurpose deposition systems for research.
A map for microfluidic devices The 3Dmap™ microfluidics analysis platform from Hyphenated Systems provides fast, accurate, and submicron three-dimensional structural characterization of microfluidic devices, including steep slopes, rough surfaces, and subsurface features in transparent media. High-resolution measurement of size and shape is essential in all phases of microfluidics development, from understanding physical phenomena to developing novel devices and controlling the fabrication process. The platform is built around Hyphenated Systems’ advanced confocal microscope. The inverted optics and
62
MARCH 2006 | VOLUME 9 | NUMBER 3
The QPREP Series has a highly versatile chamber with multiple ports/flanges for attaching deposition sources and analytical tools. Radio-frequency/direct current sputtering sources, four-pocket mini electron-beam evaporators, radio-frequency atom/ion sources, thermal gas crackers, and Mantis’ NanoGen50 nanoparticle source can be installed. A high-vacuum load-lock option is available for fast sample cycling and optimum film quality. The NanoGen50 can generate 1-20 nm size nanoparticles, filter them to ±2% in size, and deposit them adherently over a range of acceleration voltages to enable a wide range of film properties to be evaluated. Contact: www.mantisdeposition.com
Software for expanded data access Thermo Electron has introduced Retriever version 3.0, a web-based data extraction and presentation solution that enables secure access to laboratory data. It extracts, aggregates, and transforms data into ‘laboratory information with a business context’. Users do not need access to the original system from which the data is taken. Instead, it delivers information via a single, intuitive user interface. Reports are configured using the new Thermo Report Designer, which allows laboratory-centric functionality to be delivered through the report-writer, easing report development. Retriever enables information from laboratory information management systems (LIMS), as well as database applications such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), process information management systems (PIMS), and chromatography data systems (CDS), to be shared securely and rapidly. Precise control is maintained by a security system. Contact: www.thermo.com
Secondary electron detector for VPSEM Hitachi High-Technologies has a new environmental secondary electron detector (ESED) for its S-3400N variable-pressure scanning electron microscope (VPSEM), which provides a powerful alternative to traditional backscattered imaging and mimicks a conventional secondary electron detector to give good surface data. Secondary electrons from the sample surface can ionize gas molecules in the chamber in ‘high-pressure’ mode, yielding positive and negative ions as well as electrons. An electrode creates an avalanche effect from the ionization. The ion current is collected with improved signal-to-noise, yielding highquality images. The detector has a rapid response and works well at both long and short working distances and both low and high accelerating voltages. The ESED allows simultaneous secondary and backscattered electron imaging, as well as energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Signal mixing allows surface detail from the ESED to be combined with atomic number contrast from backscattered electron detection. Contact: www.hitachi-hitec-uk.com