High-speed, high-resolution imaging to capture intracellular biological processes |
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The A1 series features the ultimate in confocal microscopes. The A1 dramatically improves time, spatial and spectral resolutions and realizes high resolution. The A1R’s hybrid scanner with an additional high-speed resonant scanner supports advanced research methods using photo activation fluorescence protein. The new ergonomic user-friendly design facilitates live-cell work and a huge array of new imaging strategies. |
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| A1R’s hybrid scanner for ultrahigh-speed imaging and photo activation |
• Ultrahigh-speed imaging at 230 fps |
The A1R incorporates a resonant scanner with a resonance frequency of 7.8kHz and allows high-speed imaging at 230 fps (512 x 64 pixels). Moreover, the field of view of the scanned area is approximately five times larger than that of the non-resonant scanner. The Nikon original optical clock generation method realizes high image quality even at the highest speed. The fiber-optic communication data transfer system can transfer data at a maximum of four giga bps.
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| • High-speed photo activation imaging |
Because a non-resonant scanner and a resonant scanner are incorporated in one unit, photo activation and fluorescence imaging can be conducted simultaneously without a separate laser unit for photo activation. With a resonant scanner that can capture images at high speed, acquisition of rapid changes after photo activation is possible.
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Points within the cell and changes of fluorescence intensity
(From the point closer to the activated point: red, blue, violet) |
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What is a hybrid scanner?
This mechanism allows flexible switching or simultaneous use of two galvano scanners (resonant and non-resonant) with high-speed hyper selector.
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Enhanced spectral imaging |
• Fast acquisition of a 32-channel spectral image |
| Fast spectral imaging at 12 fps (512 x 64 pixels) is possible. |
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• Real-time spectral unmixing* |
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Fast fluorescence unmixing during image acquisition is possible in less than a second. |
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• Accurate spectral unmixing |
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Accurate spectral unmixing provides maximum performance in the separation of closely overlapping fluorescence spectra and the elimination of autofluorescence. |
Specimen: HeLa cell image captured with C1si
Fluorescence reagent: anti-tubulin/Alexa488 (microtubule), Histone H2B-GFP (chromosome)
Specimen courtesy of: Dr. Tokuko Haraguchi, Kobe Advanced ICT Research Center, NICT |
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| Increased light detection efficiency realizes high image quality |
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Dichroic mirrors in the scanning head employ the low-angle incidence method realizing a 30% increase in fluorescence efficiency. This allows brighter images and reduces laser exposure intensity, minimizing damage to cells. |
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| VAAS pinhole unit for bright, clear images* |
Nikon has developed an original confocal microscopy VAAS (Virtual Adaptable Aperture System, option) that can eliminate flare while retaining image brightness. Because of the deconvolution of the light that passes through the pinhole and the light that doesn’t pass through the pinhole, acquisition of brighter images with less flare is possible. Different sectionings (slice thicknesses) can also be simulated after image acquisition.
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| NIS-Elements C—dedicated software with increased flexibility and ease of use |
For diverse confocal microscope applications, Nikon provides easy-to-use software based on Nikon’s leading imaging software NIS-Elements.
Optical setting |
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Basic operation |
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| *Will be available after December 2008 |
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