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nikon_eclipse_lv150_optical_microscope

Nikon ECLIPSE LV150 optical microscope

Lamp

The microscope lamp is a (LV-HL50W) 12V50W halogen lamp with uniform light intensity distribution across the filament area. Filament-based lamps have a finite life-time, so make sure to turn off the light when you are done with the optical microscope.

Stage

Since acetone can dissolve many plastics, do not spill any acetone on the stage. If you want to observe a lift-off process, you could use put a small petri dish in a larger petri dish, so that if the acetone spills from the smaller petri dish, it will not land on the stage.

It sometimes occurs that the X/Y-stage is stuck. If it happens, and the linear actuators are 'jittery' (i.e., the actuator moves back and forth without a sum translation occurring), it helps to restart the controller.

If the stage moves freely, the nut came loose from the spindle. This can happen when the nut is not tightened enough. Check if this is the case by removing the black cover panels. Try to tighten the nut on the spindle. (In the case that the Y-actuator is not working, it is easier to remove the stage from the mount. The nut cannot be seen from the top, so by removing the stage from the microscope, it is a bit easier to turn the stage upside down and inspect the nut-spindle situation. When removing the stage, be extremely careful as not to hit the objective lenses with the stage and potentially damaging them. It would be best to remove the nose of objective lenses first. How this is done, can be found in the manual linked above.)

Sometimes, when the actuators are not operating properly, or failing every two or three days, the actuators just need a bit of grease.

Saving an image with annotations

To save annotations/measurements on an image, first capture the image. Make sure the correct objective is selected at which you took the picture, otherwise the measurements will be off.
Use one of the Annotations and measurement tools to make your measurements. Use the option 'Burn overlay', shortcut key 'Y', to burn the annotation layer into your captured image. Now you can save the image.

Stitching images together, creating a sample overview

With the option 'Scan large image' you can create an overview picture of your complete sample. The microscope starts at the upper left corner of the sample takes a picture, moves the stage automatically and continues to scan the complete sample. Make sure you deselect 'image registration', otherwise the software will likely crash.
To get extremely high resolution images you can do this at high magnifications.

nikon_eclipse_lv150_optical_microscope.txt · Last modified: 2024/12/18 12:30 by wigbout

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