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Operation at very high altitude (above 3000 metres) may also affect the high voltage supplies. Contact
Scientifica for advice if your laboratory is in high altitude.
Cleanliness caution
The optical block is delivered with two transit caps fitted to prevent the ingress of dirt and dust. These caps
should be fitted if the unit is stored for any length of time. When fitted on a microscope, the laser / visible
dichroic mirror should be moved to the “safe” (withdrawn) position whenever the unit is not in use to prevent
dust falling onto its surface. Any dust or other contamination will degrade the laser beam quality and will
cause scatter, both of which may impact adversely on signal quality. The door through which the filter cube is
inserted should be kept shut and the detector modules should be left in place at all times. Use the telescopic
tubes around the laser beam path to help prevent dust ingress. Do not open the main optics block.
Eye safety
Multiphoton imaging requires the use of very high power infrared lasers which are inherently hazardous to
eyes and invisible. Under conditions of normal use, the multiphoton module will simply permit an infrared laser
to pass through and no harmful stray beams will emerge in unexpected directions. To maintain this safe
condition, do not disassemble or modify the optical block. You are strongly advised to wear suitable safety
goggles at all times when installing, aligning and operating the multiphoton imaging system.
Magnetic fields
The optical block uses small but strong magnets in several locations. These magnets pose no hazard to
health, but could cause problems to credit cards or other sensitive materials. It is also prudent to route signal
wires leading from electrodes to electro-physiological head-stage amplifiers via very short, direct and well-
secured routes as far from the underside of the main optics block as possible to avoid microphonic pick-up
effects.
1.2 The Scientifica Multiphoton Detection Unit (MDU)
This manual is intended for installation of an MDU assuming no Scanhead has been previously installed.
Some steps are irrelevant if there is a Scanhead present. Contact Scientifica if further assistance is needed.
1.2.1 Product overview
Scientifica’s Multiphoton Detection Unit (MDU) is an optoelectronic device, designed to integrate with
Scientifica’s SliceScope microscope frame, for the detection and pre-amplification of florescent signals.
It forms a key component of Scientifica’s modular Multiphoton Imaging system, integrating with the Scientifica
Scanhead, which uses a galvanometer- based mirror system to raster a laser across a biological sample.
There are three main configurations of the MDU available, the operation of which is covered in this manual.
Above stage configuration:
To detect fluorescence signals reflected back from the sample, the above stage MDU collects photons using
suitable, high NA objectives. This configuration is typically used for in vivo and in vitro studies. There are three
main ways to mount the objectives onto the MDU:
Direct attachment
A sliding manual rail
A Motorised Objective Changer (MOC)
Below stage configuration:
Multiphoton images also can be acquired by detecting the fluorescence scattered through thin samples such
as a tissue slice. A variant of the optical module is available which couples to an immersion-type, high NA
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