LSM 710 Basic Operation

Turning On the System

Make sure the main power switch, systems switch and components switch are all on. The key should be turned on, please do not touch the key.

Turn on the X-Cite lamp next to the microscope. Turn on the Argon ion laser. Turn the key to the horizontal position and flip the small metal switch up. If the light is red lower the current control knob until it is green.

Loading Your Sample

To load your sample push the arm of the microscope back until it holds in place (don't grab it by the condenser).  Before loading the sample, press the lower button on the focus knob to lower the objective to the load position.

Move the sample to holder to the correct position for either a slide or a 35mm dish.  Make sure to load the sample with the coverslip facing down (towards the objective).  If you need to use the 40x or 63x objective add a drop of water or immersion oil to the objective lens. After placing the sample on the holder, press the upper button on the focus know to return the objective to the working position.  Lower the microscope arm (there is an interlock that will prevent the laser from turning on if the arm is in the raised position).

Locating Your Sample

On the computer, login with your IGB account and password, and open the Zen program.  Select "Start System" from the options it presents you. Wait for Zen to load all the components and connect to the microscope. Zen will present you with four tabs at the top: Locate, Acquisition, Processing, and Maintain.  It will start you in the Locate tab; this will allow you to find the sample in the eyepiece. To find the sample in bright field, turn on the lamp, transmitted light (TL) shutter as shown below in the image on the left.  You will also need to choose the empty filter from the filter turret. After those items are selected, You can look in the eyepiece and adjust the course or fine focus know to find your sample.  To find your sample with the 488 or 561 filter, close the TL shutter and switch to the green or red filter as shown in the picture on the right.  If you don't see blue or green light coming from the the objective, check that the manual shutter on the X-cite lamp is open.  Use the focus knob to find your sample in the eyepiece.

Setting Up Your Scan

Once you have located your sample in the eyepiece, click the acquisition tab (not the menu item at the top).  This is where you will setup the parameters for your image.