Carl Zeiss LSM 780 laser scanning microscope

Added to the LSM 7 range of laser scanning microscopes, the LSM 780 with GaAsP detector technology is claimed to significantly increase sensitivity.

Cell biologists and neurobiologists can now visualise weakly fluorescent or bleach-sensitive specimens and those with fine structures quickly and with higher image quality. The higher quantum efficiency of the detectors makes it possible for the LSM 780 to image specimens such as sensitive and weakly stained yeast cells.

Three versions are available: as an internal spectral 32-channel detector in the LSM 780 laser scanning microscope; as a detector upgrade for existing LSM 710 systems; and as the external LSM BiG upgrade module.

All versions of the 32-channel GaAsP array permit traditional spectral imaging, photon counting with maximum sensitivity and single-molecule visualisation through fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) with one to six signal channels.

With the universal LSM BiG module, the GaAsP technology can be used for further imaging modes. For multiphoton microscopy with the LSM 780 NLO and 710 NLO systems, the LSM BiG significantly improves non-descanned detection. For imaging, multiphoton examination and FCS, the GaAsP technology of the LSM BiG and one universal module allows improved image quality and faster image capture.

The 64-bit ZEN 2010 software contains the OSCiscan function with online scanner calibration, allowing higher speeds and frames of 512 x 512 pixels to be visualised with a speed of 8 frames/s and the ROI-HDR (high dynamic range imaging) function enables enhancement of the image dynamics. The bright and dark areas of the specimen are scanned with individual and adapted acquisition settings, ensuring optimal imaging fidelity is achieved for all parts of a specimen (eg, nerve cells).