NIKON’S MICROSCOPYU The creator of MicroscopyU, Davidson also authored many scientific articles on the subject of photomicrography. His photomicrographs were published in more than a thousand national and international scientific journals, popular magazines and newspapers. In addition, Davidson’s photomicrography won more than 40 awards in scientific
and
ECLIPSE TS100
The Eclipse TS100 inverted microscope was introduced in 1999 to replace the wildly successful Nikon TMS microscope, which had been an industry staple for 17 years. The TS100 was a new generation microscope designed to incorporate the then new infinity optical system which allowed modules to be placed between the eyepiece and the objectives
ECLIPSE TE2000 INVERTED MICROSCOPE In early 2000, Nikon introduced their flagship inverted microscope system, the TE2000. This was the first in the now world-famous Eclipse inverted series of microscopes, which took advantage of the breakthrough CFI60 Infinity Optical System. The TE2000 was developed as a full system with 3 models, the S, the U and the E. ECLIPSE E600
Nikon's Eclipse E600 research microscope is equipped with the revolutionary CFI 60 infinity optical system, providing bright, sharp, crisp and clear images in all applications. Available since the mid-1990s, the mid-tier microscope incorporates completely new specifications adopted for the CFI 60 series objectives, including a 60-millimeter
SMZ STEROMICROSCOPE
SMZ Steromicroscope. The SMZ series are the flagship system of stereomicroscopes offered by Nikon beginning in 1966. Spanning over many decades, this classic series of scopes have ushered in a new generation of stereomicroscopy with cutting edge optics, longer zoom capabilities and lower signal-to-noise ratios than ever previously offered.
ECLIPSE E400
Eclipse E400. ( 1997 ) The Eclipse E400 biological microscope is Nikon's mid-level research instrument from the late 1990s. Though designed for stability, the instrument features a compact design, which was intended to help maintain a suitable comfort level for the microscopist over extended periods of THE NIKON PERFECT FOCUS SYSTEM (PFS) The Nikon Perfect Focus System (PFS) Nikon has addressed the problem of focus drift by creating a unique hardware solution, termed the Perfect Focus System ( PFS ), which is designed to combat axial focus fluctuations in real time during long-term imaging investigations. A wide range of dry, water, and oil immersion objectives, from 4x to 100x
CHAOS CAROLINENSIS (AMOEBA) Chaos carolinensis (Amoeba) Many species that belong to the order Amoebida are free living, but some are well-known parasites of plants and animals. At least six forms of amoeba are parasitic in humans The most well known of these is Entamoeba histolytica, which causes amebic dysentery.
MODEL SMZ-2T STEREOMICROSCOPE Model SMZ-2T Stereomicroscope. ( Circa 1987 ) The Nikon SMZ-2T microscope is a trinocular stereoscopic model that was designed to easily accept a closed-circuit television (CCTV) or newer CCD-based digital camera or any of Nikon's FX photomicrographic systems. A switchover control ring in the trinocular head allows the microscopist to rapidly
COLLOTHECA (ROTIFERA) Collotheca (Rotifera) Collotheca belongs to the rotifer class Monogononta, rotifers with only one ovary. These rotifers are sessile; they are either attached to each other forming a spherical colony, or attached individually to the substrate. Each rotifer secretes a gelatinous tube
NIKON’S MICROSCOPYU The creator of MicroscopyU, Davidson also authored many scientific articles on the subject of photomicrography. His photomicrographs were published in more than a thousand national and international scientific journals, popular magazines and newspapers. In addition, Davidson’s photomicrography won more than 40 awards in scientific and
ECLIPSE TS100
The Eclipse TS100 inverted microscope was introduced in 1999 to replace the wildly successful Nikon TMS microscope, which had been an industry staple for 17 years. The TS100 was a new generation microscope designed to incorporate the then new infinity optical system which allowed modules to be placed between the eyepiece and the objectives
ECLIPSE TE2000 INVERTED MICROSCOPE In early 2000, Nikon introduced their flagship inverted microscope system, the TE2000. This was the first in the now world-famous Eclipse inverted series of microscopes, which took advantage of the breakthrough CFI60 Infinity Optical System. The TE2000 was developed as a full system with 3 models, the S, the U and the E. ECLIPSE E600
Nikon's Eclipse E600 research microscope is equipped with the revolutionary CFI 60 infinity optical system, providing bright, sharp, crisp and clear images in all applications. Available since the mid-1990s, the mid-tier microscope incorporates completely new specifications adopted for the CFI 60 series objectives, including a 60-millimeter
SMZ STEROMICROSCOPE
SMZ Steromicroscope. The SMZ series are the flagship system of stereomicroscopes offered by Nikon beginning in 1966. Spanning over many decades, this classic series of scopes have ushered in a new generation of stereomicroscopy with cutting edge optics, longer zoom capabilities and lower signal-to-noise ratios than ever previously offered.
ECLIPSE E400
Eclipse E400. ( 1997 ) The Eclipse E400 biological microscope is Nikon's mid-level research instrument from the late 1990s. Though designed for stability, the instrument features a compact design, which was intended to help maintain a suitable comfort level for the microscopist over extended periods of THE NIKON PERFECT FOCUS SYSTEM (PFS) The Nikon Perfect Focus System (PFS) Nikon has addressed the problem of focus drift by creating a unique hardware solution, termed the Perfect Focus System ( PFS ), which is designed to combat axial focus fluctuations in real time during long-term imaging investigations. A wide range of dry, water, and oil immersion objectives, from 4x to 100x
CHAOS CAROLINENSIS (AMOEBA) Chaos carolinensis (Amoeba) Many species that belong to the order Amoebida are free living, but some are well-known parasites of plants and animals. At least six forms of amoeba are parasitic in humans The most well known of these is Entamoeba histolytica, which causes amebic dysentery.
MODEL SMZ-2T STEREOMICROSCOPE Model SMZ-2T Stereomicroscope. ( Circa 1987 ) The Nikon SMZ-2T microscope is a trinocular stereoscopic model that was designed to easily accept a closed-circuit television (CCTV) or newer CCD-based digital camera or any of Nikon's FX photomicrographic systems. A switchover control ring in the trinocular head allows the microscopist to rapidly
COLLOTHECA (ROTIFERA) Collotheca (Rotifera) Collotheca belongs to the rotifer class Monogononta, rotifers with only one ovary. These rotifers are sessile; they are either attached to each other forming a spherical colony, or attached individually to the substrate. Each rotifer secretes a gelatinous tube
NIKON’S MICROSCOPYU The creator of MicroscopyU, Davidson also authored many scientific articles on the subject of photomicrography. His photomicrographs were published in more than a thousand national and international scientific journals, popular magazines and newspapers. In addition, Davidson’s photomicrography won more than 40 awards in scientific and
NIKON’S MUSEUM OF MICROSCOPY Nikon’s Museum of Microscopy. Nikon has been producing microscopes for almost a century, starting with a simple brass compound monocular brass microscope in the early 1900s. Today, Nikon microscopes are among the best in the World and are found in research laboratories in almost every country. The Nikon Museum of Microscopy features many of INNOVATIONS IN LIGHT MICROSCOPY Innovations in Light Microscopy. Of all scientific instruments, probably none has had more thought and labor devoted to its improvement than the light microscope. Its evolution over the past centuries has been driven by scientists who wish to observe and measure phenomena that were smaller, fainter, ( Figure 1) and deeper inside tissue than
ECLIPSE 80I
Eclipse 80i Upright Microscope. In response to Nikon’s ever-growing prominence in the cutting-edge research microscopy markets, Nikon introduced its all-new lineup of microscopes, the i-series. The 80i was one of the first in a family of very commercially successful upright microscopes that would help define the growth of the digital era for
LIVE-CELL IMAGING CULTURE CHAMBERS A variety of Petri dish configurations specifically designed for high-resolution live-cell imaging are commercially available (see Figure 4). The simplest and perhaps most versatile design consists of a standard 35 or 50-millimeter disposable Petri dish featuring a circular opening (10, 14, or 20 millimeters) cut into the center of the attachment surface and covered by a high-quality ECLIPSE 50/55I
Eclipse 50/55i. The Nikon Eclipse 50/55i was an important milestone in the evolution of Nikon’s clinical line of microscopes. Introduced in 2003, this microscope was a major step in incorporating a more comfortable, user-based design to allow people to sit and use the equipment for long hours without experiencing excessive discomfort or fatigue.
MICROPHOT-FX RESEARCH MICROSCOPE Microphot-FX Research Microscope. ( Circa 1985 ) Promoted as one of the premier research microscopes during the mid-1980s, Nikon's Microphot-FX may be used with a digital or film camera attachment as well as for quantitative transmitted light and fluorescence microscopy. When utilized in combination with the Nikon Microflex FX camera series, it
MODEL S EPI-ILLUMINATOR Model S Epi-Illuminator. The epi-illuminator converted the Model S microscope, built during the late 1960s, from a tool for studying translucent biological specimens into a tool for studying the surface of opaque specimens such as metals. The illuminator is housed in an intermediate tube positioned above the revolving nosepiece and beneath the
GREEN EXCITATION: G-2A (LONGPASS EMISSION) The G-2A filter combination is designed to perform with a wide range of fluorochromes excited by green wavelengths, and is considered the standard Nikon filter block for green excitation.The combination of a wide excitation passband (50 nanometers) with a longpass emission (barrier) filter enables detection of fluorescence intensity from a substantial range of fluorophores that emit in the DUAL BAND EXCITATION: DAPI-FITC The DAPI-FITC dual band fluorescence filter combination is designed specifically for simultaneous detection of the fluorochromes DAPI and FITC with minimal crosstalk between bands, and can be employed with other pairs of fluorescent probes having similar spectral profiles.The shorter-wavelength signal channel of the filter set selects narrowly defined spectral regions for violet excitation and NIKON’S MICROSCOPYU The creator of MicroscopyU, Davidson also authored many scientific articles on the subject of photomicrography. His photomicrographs were published in more than a thousand national and international scientific journals, popular magazines and newspapers. In addition, Davidson’s photomicrography won more than 40 awards in scientific and
NIKON’S MUSEUM OF MICROSCOPY Nikon’s Museum of Microscopy. Nikon has been producing microscopes for almost a century, starting with a simple brass compound monocular brass microscope in the early 1900s. Today, Nikon microscopes are among the best in the World and are found in research laboratories in almost every country. The Nikon Museum of Microscopy features many of DIC | NIKON’S MICROSCOPYU An excellent mechanism for rendering contrast in transparent specimens, differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy is a beam-shearing interference system in which the reference beam is sheared by a minuscule amount, generally somewhat less than the diameter of an Airy disk.The technique produces a monochromatic shadow-cast image that effectively displays the gradient of optical paths
LIVE-CELL IMAGING CULTURE CHAMBERS Specimen chambers are an integral and critical branch in the history of live-cell imaging, and a wide spectrum of designs have been published over the years describing systems that offer excellent optical properties while allowing specimens to be maintained for varying amounts of time. INTRODUCTION TO FLUORESCENT PROTEINS MODEL S MICROSCOPE
Model S Microscope. ( Circa late 1960s ) Interchangeable parts made the Model S microscope a versatile tool for studies in biology, medicine, and metallurgy during the 1960s and 1970s. Depending on the user's needs, the microscope could be equipped with various combinations of eyepieces, eyepiece tubes, objectives, condensers, and stages. Nikon
ECLIPSE TS100
The Eclipse TS100 inverted microscope was introduced in 1999 to replace the wildly successful Nikon TMS microscope, which had been an industry staple for 17 years. The TS100 was a new generation microscope designed to incorporate the then new infinity optical system which allowed modules to be placed between the eyepiece and the objectives
ECLIPSE E400
Eclipse E400. ( 1997 ) The Eclipse E400 biological microscope is Nikon's mid-level research instrument from the late 1990s. Though designed for stability, the instrument features a compact design, which was intended to help maintain a suitable comfort level for the microscopist over extended periods of YELLOW FLUORESCENT PROTEIN (YFP) EXCITATION ENHANCED YELLOW FLUORESCENT PROTEIN (EYFP) NUCLEAR Plasmid pEYFP-Nucleus vector gene product expression in various cell types (from both transiently and stably transfected clones; see Figure 1) occurs due to the efficient intracellular translation of a fusion nucleotide sequence combining the enhanced yellow fluorescent protein domain with three tandem repeats of the nuclear localization signal (NLS) from simian virus 40 (SV40) large T-antigen. NIKON’S MICROSCOPYU The creator of MicroscopyU, Davidson also authored many scientific articles on the subject of photomicrography. His photomicrographs were published in more than a thousand national and international scientific journals, popular magazines and newspapers. In addition, Davidson’s photomicrography won more than 40 awards in scientific and
NIKON’S MUSEUM OF MICROSCOPY Nikon’s Museum of Microscopy. Nikon has been producing microscopes for almost a century, starting with a simple brass compound monocular brass microscope in the early 1900s. Today, Nikon microscopes are among the best in the World and are found in research laboratories in almost every country. The Nikon Museum of Microscopy features many of DIC | NIKON’S MICROSCOPYU An excellent mechanism for rendering contrast in transparent specimens, differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy is a beam-shearing interference system in which the reference beam is sheared by a minuscule amount, generally somewhat less than the diameter of an Airy disk.The technique produces a monochromatic shadow-cast image that effectively displays the gradient of optical paths
LIVE-CELL IMAGING CULTURE CHAMBERS Specimen chambers are an integral and critical branch in the history of live-cell imaging, and a wide spectrum of designs have been published over the years describing systems that offer excellent optical properties while allowing specimens to be maintained for varying amounts of time. INTRODUCTION TO FLUORESCENT PROTEINS MODEL S MICROSCOPE
Model S Microscope. ( Circa late 1960s ) Interchangeable parts made the Model S microscope a versatile tool for studies in biology, medicine, and metallurgy during the 1960s and 1970s. Depending on the user's needs, the microscope could be equipped with various combinations of eyepieces, eyepiece tubes, objectives, condensers, and stages. Nikon
ECLIPSE TS100
The Eclipse TS100 inverted microscope was introduced in 1999 to replace the wildly successful Nikon TMS microscope, which had been an industry staple for 17 years. The TS100 was a new generation microscope designed to incorporate the then new infinity optical system which allowed modules to be placed between the eyepiece and the objectives
ECLIPSE E400
Eclipse E400. ( 1997 ) The Eclipse E400 biological microscope is Nikon's mid-level research instrument from the late 1990s. Though designed for stability, the instrument features a compact design, which was intended to help maintain a suitable comfort level for the microscopist over extended periods of YELLOW FLUORESCENT PROTEIN (YFP) EXCITATION ENHANCED YELLOW FLUORESCENT PROTEIN (EYFP) NUCLEAR Plasmid pEYFP-Nucleus vector gene product expression in various cell types (from both transiently and stably transfected clones; see Figure 1) occurs due to the efficient intracellular translation of a fusion nucleotide sequence combining the enhanced yellow fluorescent protein domain with three tandem repeats of the nuclear localization signal (NLS) from simian virus 40 (SV40) large T-antigen. FLUORESCENCE
Fluorescence Microscopy. In the rapidly expanding fields of cellular and molecular biology, widefield and confocal fluorescence illumination and observation is becoming one of the techniques of choice. These techniques, which are almost universally employed in both the medical and biological sciences, have spurred the development of more
INTRODUCTION TO FLUORESCENT PROTEINS Introduction to Fluorescent Proteins. The discovery of green fluorescent protein in the early 1960s ultimately heralded a new era in cell biology by enabling investigators to apply molecular cloning methods, fusing the fluorophore moiety to a wide variety of protein and enzyme targets, in order to monitor cellular processes in living systems
BASICS OF FRET MICROSCOPY where R(0) is the characteristic distance where the FRET efficiency is 50 percent, which can be calculated for any pair of fluorescent molecules (this variable is also termed the Förster radius and is discussed below in greater detail). The FRET efficiency of a theoretical fluorophore pair (enhanced cyan and yellow fluorescent proteins) is graphically demonstrated in Figure 3(a). INFINITY OPTICAL SYSTEMS Infinity optical systems allow introduction of auxiliary components, such as differential interference contrast (DIC) prisms, polarizers, and epi-fluorescence illuminators, into the parallel optical path between the objective and the tube lens with only a minimal effect on focus and aberration corrections. Older finite, or fixed tube length THE NIKON PERFECT FOCUS SYSTEM (PFS) Nikon has addressed the problem of focus drift by creating a unique hardware solution, termed the Perfect Focus System (PFS), which is designed to combat axial focus fluctuations in real time during long-term imaging investigations.A wide range of dry, water, and oil immersion objectives, from 4x to 100x with varying numerical apertures and working distances, can be employed. RESOLUTION | NIKON’S MICROSCOPYU Resolution (r) = λ/ (2NA) Formula 2 - Numerical Aperture, Wavelength, and Resolution. Resolution (r) = 0.61λ/NA. Formula 3 - Numerical Aperture, Wavelength, and Resolution. Resolution (r) = 1.22λ/ (NA (obj) + NA (cond)) Where r is resolution (the smallest resolvable distance between two objects), NA is a general term for the microscope MATCHING CAMERA TO MICROSCOPE The ultimate resolution of a charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor is a function of the number of photodiodes and their size relative to the image projected onto the surface of the imaging array by the microscope optical system.When attempting to match microscope optical resolution to a specific digital camera and video coupler combination DEPTH OF FIELD CALCULATOR The total depth of field is given by the sum of the wave and geometrical optical depths of fields as: Formula 1 - Total Depth of Field. d t o t = λ ⋅ n N A 2 + n M ⋅ N A e. Where d (tot) represents the depth of field, l is the wavelength of illuminating light, n is the refractive index of the medium (usually air (1.000) or immersion oil (1
MODULATION TRANSFER FUNCTION where I(max) is the maximum intensity displayed by a repeating structure and I(min) is the minimum intensity found in the same specimen. By convention, the modulation transfer function is normalized to unity at zero spatial frequency. Modulation is typically less in the image than in the specimen and there is often a slight phase displacement of the image relative to the specimen. AEOLOSOMA (ANNELIDA) VIDEOS Aeolosoma (Annelida) Videos. These transparent microannelids inhabit soils and decaying material in stagnant water, using cilia to move about. Like other annelids, Aeolosoma has a segmented body (roundworms and flatworms aren't segmented), generally consisting of about 17 segments.All but the first segment, after the head, bear sets of bristle-like structures called setae or chaetae. NIKON’S MICROSCOPYU The creator of MicroscopyU, Davidson also authored many scientific articles on the subject of photomicrography. His photomicrographs were published in more than a thousand national and international scientific journals, popular magazines and newspapers. In addition, Davidson’s photomicrography won more than 40 awards in scientific and
NIKON’S MUSEUM OF MICROSCOPY Nikon’s Museum of Microscopy. Nikon has been producing microscopes for almost a century, starting with a simple brass compound monocular brass microscope in the early 1900s. Today, Nikon microscopes are among the best in the World and are found in research laboratories in almost every country. The Nikon Museum of Microscopy features many of LIVE-CELL IMAGING CULTURE CHAMBERS Specimen chambers are an integral and critical branch in the history of live-cell imaging, and a wide spectrum of designs have been published over the years describing systems that offer excellent optical properties while allowing specimens to be maintained for varying amounts of time. DIC | NIKON’S MICROSCOPYU An excellent mechanism for rendering contrast in transparent specimens, differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy is a beam-shearing interference system in which the reference beam is sheared by a minuscule amount, generally somewhat less than the diameter of an Airy disk.The technique produces a monochromatic shadow-cast image that effectively displays the gradient of optical paths
INTRODUCTION TO FLUORESCENT PROTEINS MODEL S MICROSCOPE
Model S Microscope. ( Circa late 1960s ) Interchangeable parts made the Model S microscope a versatile tool for studies in biology, medicine, and metallurgy during the 1960s and 1970s. Depending on the user's needs, the microscope could be equipped with various combinations of eyepieces, eyepiece tubes, objectives, condensers, and stages. Nikon
ECLIPSE TS100
The Eclipse TS100 inverted microscope was introduced in 1999 to replace the wildly successful Nikon TMS microscope, which had been an industry staple for 17 years. The TS100 was a new generation microscope designed to incorporate the then new infinity optical system which allowed modules to be placed between the eyepiece and the objectives
MATCHING CAMERA TO MICROSCOPE The ultimate resolution of a charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor is a function of the number of photodiodes and their size relative to the image projected onto the surface of the imaging array by the microscope optical system.When attempting to match microscope optical resolution to a specific digital camera and video coupler combination ECLIPSE E400
Eclipse E400. ( 1997 ) The Eclipse E400 biological microscope is Nikon's mid-level research instrument from the late 1990s. Though designed for stability, the instrument features a compact design, which was intended to help maintain a suitable comfort level for the microscopist over extended periods of YELLOW FLUORESCENT PROTEIN (YFP) EXCITATION NIKON’S MICROSCOPYU The creator of MicroscopyU, Davidson also authored many scientific articles on the subject of photomicrography. His photomicrographs were published in more than a thousand national and international scientific journals, popular magazines and newspapers. In addition, Davidson’s photomicrography won more than 40 awards in scientific and
NIKON’S MUSEUM OF MICROSCOPY Nikon’s Museum of Microscopy. Nikon has been producing microscopes for almost a century, starting with a simple brass compound monocular brass microscope in the early 1900s. Today, Nikon microscopes are among the best in the World and are found in research laboratories in almost every country. The Nikon Museum of Microscopy features many of LIVE-CELL IMAGING CULTURE CHAMBERS Specimen chambers are an integral and critical branch in the history of live-cell imaging, and a wide spectrum of designs have been published over the years describing systems that offer excellent optical properties while allowing specimens to be maintained for varying amounts of time. DIC | NIKON’S MICROSCOPYU An excellent mechanism for rendering contrast in transparent specimens, differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy is a beam-shearing interference system in which the reference beam is sheared by a minuscule amount, generally somewhat less than the diameter of an Airy disk.The technique produces a monochromatic shadow-cast image that effectively displays the gradient of optical paths
INTRODUCTION TO FLUORESCENT PROTEINS MODEL S MICROSCOPE
Model S Microscope. ( Circa late 1960s ) Interchangeable parts made the Model S microscope a versatile tool for studies in biology, medicine, and metallurgy during the 1960s and 1970s. Depending on the user's needs, the microscope could be equipped with various combinations of eyepieces, eyepiece tubes, objectives, condensers, and stages. Nikon
ECLIPSE TS100
The Eclipse TS100 inverted microscope was introduced in 1999 to replace the wildly successful Nikon TMS microscope, which had been an industry staple for 17 years. The TS100 was a new generation microscope designed to incorporate the then new infinity optical system which allowed modules to be placed between the eyepiece and the objectives
MATCHING CAMERA TO MICROSCOPE The ultimate resolution of a charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor is a function of the number of photodiodes and their size relative to the image projected onto the surface of the imaging array by the microscope optical system.When attempting to match microscope optical resolution to a specific digital camera and video coupler combination ECLIPSE E400
Eclipse E400. ( 1997 ) The Eclipse E400 biological microscope is Nikon's mid-level research instrument from the late 1990s. Though designed for stability, the instrument features a compact design, which was intended to help maintain a suitable comfort level for the microscopist over extended periods of YELLOW FLUORESCENT PROTEIN (YFP) EXCITATION FLUORESCENCE
Fluorescence Microscopy. In the rapidly expanding fields of cellular and molecular biology, widefield and confocal fluorescence illumination and observation is becoming one of the techniques of choice. These techniques, which are almost universally employed in both the medical and biological sciences, have spurred the development of more
INTRODUCTION TO FLUORESCENT PROTEINS Introduction to Fluorescent Proteins. The discovery of green fluorescent protein in the early 1960s ultimately heralded a new era in cell biology by enabling investigators to apply molecular cloning methods, fusing the fluorophore moiety to a wide variety of protein and enzyme targets, in order to monitor cellular processes in living systems
INTRODUCTION TO MICROSCOPE OBJECTIVES The objective is the most difficult component of an optical microscope to design and assemble, and is the first element that light encounters as it proceeds from the specimen to the image plane. Objectives derive their name from the fact that they are, by proximity, the closest component to the object (specimen) being imaged. INFINITY OPTICAL SYSTEMS Infinity optical systems allow introduction of auxiliary components, such as differential interference contrast (DIC) prisms, polarizers, and epi-fluorescence illuminators, into the parallel optical path between the objective and the tube lens with only a minimal effect on focus and aberration corrections. Older finite, or fixed tube length THE NIKON PERFECT FOCUS SYSTEM (PFS) Nikon has addressed the problem of focus drift by creating a unique hardware solution, termed the Perfect Focus System (PFS), which is designed to combat axial focus fluctuations in real time during long-term imaging investigations.A wide range of dry, water, and oil immersion objectives, from 4x to 100x with varying numerical apertures and working distances, can be employed. RESOLUTION | NIKON’S MICROSCOPYU Where r is resolution (the smallest resolvable distance between two objects), NA is a general term for the microscope numerical aperture, λ is the imaging wavelength, NA(obj) equals the objective numerical aperture, and NA(cond) is the condenser numerical aperture. Notice that equation (1) and (2) differ by the multiplication factor, which is 0.5 for equation (1) and 0.61 for equation (2). MATCHING CAMERA TO MICROSCOPE The ultimate resolution of a charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor is a function of the number of photodiodes and their size relative to the image projected onto the surface of the imaging array by the microscope optical system.When attempting to match microscope optical resolution to a specific digital camera and video coupler combination DEPTH OF FIELD CALCULATOR The total depth of field is given by the sum of the wave and geometrical optical depths of fields as: Formula 1 - Total Depth of Field. d t o t = λ ⋅ n N A 2 + n M ⋅ N A e. Where d (tot) represents the depth of field, l is the wavelength of illuminating light, n is the refractive index of the medium (usually air (1.000) or immersion oil (1
MODULATION TRANSFER FUNCTION where I(max) is the maximum intensity displayed by a repeating structure and I(min) is the minimum intensity found in the same specimen. By convention, the modulation transfer function is normalized to unity at zero spatial frequency. Modulation is typically less in the image than in the specimen and there is often a slight phase displacement of the image relative to the specimen. LABOPHOT ENTRY-LEVEL RESEARCH MICROSCOPE Labophot Entry-Level Research Microscope. The Labophot was a sturdy, versatile microscope, produced in the 1980s. It offered research-level performance and a modular system that made it highly adaptable for clinical, biological, industrial, and educational laboratories. The Labophot utilized the Nikon CF optical system, which yielded high NIKON’S MICROSCOPYU Nikon’s MicroscopyU website features technical support and timely information about all aspects of optical microscopy, photomicrography, and digital imaging. NIKON’S MUSEUM OF MICROSCOPY The Nikon Museum of Microscopy features many of the older microscopes and accessories introduced from the 1960s to the end of the twentieth century.
DIC | NIKON’S MICROSCOPYU An excellent mechanism for rendering contrast in transparent specimens, differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy is a beam-shearing interference system in which the reference beam is sheared by a minuscule amount, generally somewhat less than the diameter of an Airy disk.The technique produces a monochromatic shadow-cast image that effectively displays the gradient of optical paths
NUMERICAL APERTURE LIGHT CONES The light-gathering ability of a microscope objective is quantitatively expressed in terms of the numerical aperture, which is a measure of the number of highly diffracted image-forming light rays captured by the objective.Higher values of numerical aperture allow increasingly oblique rays to enter the objective front lens, producing a more highly resolved image. FLUORESCENCE
Contributing Authors. Michael E. Dailey - Department of Biological Sciences and Neuroscience Program, 369 Biology Building, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242.. Daniel C. Focht - Bioptechs Inc., 3560 Beck Road, Butler, Pennsylvania, 16002.. Alexey Khodjakov and Conly L. Rieder - Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, 12201, and Marine Biological RESOLUTION | NIKON’S MICROSCOPYUSEE MORE ON MICROSCOPYU.COM MODEL S MICROSCOPE
The model S was equipped with a wooden accessory cabinet that could later be used for storage when the microscope was not in use. A two-sided reflecting mirror provided illumination for the basic microscope model.
LIVE-CELL IMAGING CULTURE CHAMBERS Specimen chambers are an integral and critical branch in the history of live-cell imaging, and a wide spectrum of designs have been published over the years describing systems that offer excellent optical properties while allowing specimens to be maintained for varying amounts of time. ECLIPSE TE2000 INVERTED MICROSCOPE In early 2000, Nikon introduced their flagship inverted microscope system, the TE2000. This was the first in the now world-famous Eclipse inverted series of microscopes, which took advantage of the breakthrough CFI60 Infinity Optical System. DUAL BAND EXCITATION: DAPI-FITC The DAPI-FITC dual band fluorescence filter combination is designed specifically for simultaneous detection of the fluorochromes DAPI and FITC with minimal crosstalk between bands, and can be employed with other pairs of fluorescent probes having similar spectral profiles.The shorter-wavelength signal channel of the filter set selects narrowly defined spectral regions for violet excitation and NIKON’S MICROSCOPYU The creator of MicroscopyU, Davidson also authored many scientific articles on the subject of photomicrography. His photomicrographs were published in more than a thousand national and international scientific journals, popular magazines and newspapers. In addition, Davidson’s photomicrography won more than 40 awards in scientific and
NIKON’S MUSEUM OF MICROSCOPY Nikon’s Museum of Microscopy. Nikon has been producing microscopes for almost a century, starting with a simple brass compound monocular brass microscope in the early 1900s. Today, Nikon microscopes are among the best in the World and are found in research laboratories in almost every country. The Nikon Museum of Microscopy features many of DIC | NIKON’S MICROSCOPYU An excellent mechanism for rendering contrast in transparent specimens, differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy is a beam-shearing interference system in which the reference beam is sheared by a minuscule amount, generally somewhat less than the diameter of an Airy disk.The technique produces a monochromatic shadow-cast image that effectively displays the gradient of optical paths
NUMERICAL APERTURE LIGHT CONES The light-gathering ability of a microscope objective is quantitatively expressed in terms of the numerical aperture, which is a measure of the number of highly diffracted image-forming light rays captured by the objective.Higher values of numerical aperture allow increasingly oblique rays to enter the objective front lens, producing a more highly resolved image. FLUORESCENCE
Fluorescence Microscopy. In the rapidly expanding fields of cellular and molecular biology, widefield and confocal fluorescence illumination and observation is becoming one of the techniques of choice. These techniques, which are almost universally employed in both the medical and biological sciences, have spurred the development of more
RESOLUTION | NIKON’S MICROSCOPYUSEE MORE ON MICROSCOPYU.COM MODEL S MICROSCOPE
Model S Microscope. ( Circa late 1960s ) Interchangeable parts made the Model S microscope a versatile tool for studies in biology, medicine, and metallurgy during the 1960s and 1970s. Depending on the user's needs, the microscope could be equipped with various combinations of eyepieces, eyepiece tubes, objectives, condensers, and stages. Nikon
LIVE-CELL IMAGING CULTURE CHAMBERS Specimen chambers are an integral and critical branch in the history of live-cell imaging, and a wide spectrum of designs have been published over the years describing systems that offer excellent optical properties while allowing specimens to be maintained for varying amounts of time. ECLIPSE TE2000 INVERTED MICROSCOPE In early 2000, Nikon introduced their flagship inverted microscope system, the TE2000. This was the first in the now world-famous Eclipse inverted series of microscopes, which took advantage of the breakthrough CFI60 Infinity Optical System. The TE2000 was developed as a full system with 3 models, the S, the U and the E. DUAL BAND EXCITATION: DAPI-FITC The DAPI-FITC dual band fluorescence filter combination is designed specifically for simultaneous detection of the fluorochromes DAPI and FITC with minimal crosstalk between bands, and can be employed with other pairs of fluorescent probes having similar spectral profiles.The shorter-wavelength signal channel of the filter set selects narrowly defined spectral regions for violet excitation and INFINITY OPTICAL SYSTEMS Infinity-corrected microscopes, now a standard in the industry, allow introduction of auxiliary components, such as differential interference contrast (DIC) prisms, polarizers, and epi-fluorescence illuminators, into the parallel optical path between the objective and the tube lens with only a minimal effect on focus and aberration corrections.
INTRODUCTION TO FLUORESCENT PROTEINS Presented in Table 1 is a compilation of properties displayed by several of the most popular and useful fluorescent protein variants. Along with the common name and/or acronym for each fluorescent protein, the peak absorption and emission wavelengths (given in nanometers), molar extinction coefficient, quantum yield, relative brightness, and in vivostructural associations are listed. PHASE CONTRAST
Phase contrast microscopy, first described in 1934 by Dutch physicist Frits Zernike, is a contrast-enhancing optical technique that can be utilized to produce high-contrast images of transparent specimens such as living cells, microorganisms, thin tissue slices, lithographic patterns, and sub-cellular particles (such as nuclei and other organelles).
SMZ STEROMICROSCOPE
The SMZ series are the flagship system of stereomicroscopes offered by Nikon beginning in 1966. Spanning over many decades, this classic series of scopes have ushered in a new generation of stereomicroscopy with cutting edge optics, longer zoom capabilities and lower signal-to-noise ratios than ever previously offered. MODEL S MICROSCOPE
The model S was equipped with a wooden accessory cabinet that could later be used for storage when the microscope was not in use. A two-sided reflecting mirror provided illumination for the basic microscope model.
BASICS OF FRET MICROSCOPY where R(0) is the characteristic distance where the FRET efficiency is 50 percent, which can be calculated for any pair of fluorescent molecules (this variable is also termed the Förster radius and is discussed below in greater detail). The FRET efficiency of a theoretical fluorophore pair (enhanced cyan and yellow fluorescent proteins) is graphically demonstrated in Figure 3(a). THE NIKON PERFECT FOCUS SYSTEM (PFS) Nikon has addressed the problem of focus drift by creating a unique hardware solution, termed the Perfect Focus System (PFS), which is designed to combat axial focus fluctuations in real time during long-term imaging investigations.A wide range of dry, water, and oil immersion objectives, from 4x to 100x with varying numerical apertures and working distances, can be employed. ECLIPSE TS100
The Eclipse TS100 inverted microscope was introduced in 1999 to replace the wildly successful Nikon TMS microscope, which had been an industry staple for 17 years. EOSINOPHILIA AT 20X MAGNIFICATION Eosinophilia is known to have many causes, the most common of which are helminthic (worm) infections and allergic conditions, such as asthma and hay fever. The former is the primary cause worldwide, but the latter is much more prevalent in the United States, Great Britain, and other developed nations. Rarer causes of eosinophilia include cirrhosis of the liver, certain tumor types, such as WWW.MICROSCOPYU.COM
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Nikon Instruments | Nikon Global | Nikon Small World UPDATED Single-Molecule Super-Resolution Imaging NEW Light Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy Introduction to Fluorescent Proteins * 1
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WHAT'S NEW ON MICROSCOPYU We’re happy to announce that we’ve updated our article on Single-Molecule Super-Resolution Imaging. This article now contains an in-depth discussion of sample preparation, including near-comprehensive tables listing known fluorescent probes and buffer systems for single molecule localization microscopies. Learn More
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RESOLUTION
The resolving power of a microscope is the most important feature of the optical system.
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REFRACTIVE INDEX (INDEX OF REFRACTION) The ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to that in the imaging medium of a microscope. *
INTRODUCTION TO POLARIZED LIGHT Discussion of birefringence, Brewster's angle, and various forms of polarized light.
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INTRODUCTION TO PHASE CONTRAST MICROSCOPY A mechanism to translate variations in phase into corresponding changes in amplitude. ------------------------- View More
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SPATIAL RESOLUTION IN DIGITAL IMAGING Spatial resolution refers to the number of pixels utilized in construction of the image. *
STOCHASTIC OPTICAL RECONSTRUCTION MICROSCOPY (STORM) IMAGING Review the basic steps involved in acquiring a STORM super-resolution image.
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NUMERICAL APERTURE AND IMAGE RESOLUTION Explore how objective numerical aperture size influences Airy disk properties.
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EYEPIECE RETICLE CALIBRATION Explores calibration of various eyepiece reticles using a stage micrometer and demonstrates how the reticle can then be employed to determine linear specimen dimensions. ------------------------- View More
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT
MICHAEL DAVIDSON
Michael Davidson was a brilliant scientist, artist and photographer. The creator of MicroscopyU, Davidson also authored many scientific articles on the subject of photomicrography. His photomicrographs were published in more than a thousand national and international scientific journals, popular magazines and newspapers. In addition, Davidson’s photomicrography won more than 40 awards in scientific and industrial photography competitions and has been exhibited at over 50 locations nationwide. Learn more
NIKON SMALL WORLD COMPETITION WINNERS Congratulations to the winners of the forty-fifth annual Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition! *
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2019 Small World Photomicrography Competition Winners NIKON INSTRUMENTS WEBSITE HIGHLIGHTS Visit the Nikon Instruments Website for the latest
information on products, company news, upcoming events and features. * A1R HD25: All-new confocal microscope featuring the world’s largest 25mm field of view for high-throughput, high-resolution imaging.
* Nikon’s “Focus On” series explores a variety of research and clinical application areas and how Nikon microscope systems address key requirements.
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------------------------- RECENT NEWS AND UPDATES NIKON BIOIMAGING LAB SYMPOSIUM October 30, 2019, via Nikon BioImaging Lab FLUORESCENT TURTLE EMBRYO WINS FORTY-FIFTH ANNUAL NIKON SMALL WORLD COMPETITION
October 21, 2019, via Nikon Small World INVADOPODIA ARE CHEMOSENSING PROTRUSIONS THAT GUIDE CANCER CELL EXTRAVASATION TO PROMOTE BRAIN TROPISM IN METASTASIS January 18, 2019, via Nature GENETICALLY ENCODED FLUORESCENT INDICATORS FOR IMAGING INTRACELLULAR POTASSIUM ION CONCENTRATION January 17, 2019, via Nature Communications Biology See all News
FEATURED GALLERY IMAGE HeLa Cell Histones
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* Microscopy Basics
* Techniques
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* Light Sheet
* Multiphoton
* Phase Contrast
* Polarized Light
* Super-Resolution
* Stereomicroscopy
* Applications
* Live-Cell Imaging
* Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) * Fluorescence _in situ_ Hybridization (FISH) * Digital Imaging
* Tutorials
* Galleries
* Cell Motility
* Confocal
* Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) * Fluorescence
* Human Pathology
* Phase Contrast
* Polarized Light
* Stereomicroscopy
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