Lastek: Photonics Technology Solutions

Image by Erik Dinnel, Allen Institute

Article shows New Scale Technologies' micropositioning technology at work in the lab

The Allen Institute for Brain Science was featured in the June 15 Wall Street Journal article, “The Quest to Decode the Brain.”  Micropositioning expertise from New Scale Technologies helps make this work possible. From the article:

"… researchers and engineers are developing more powerful and easier-to-use devices to study the brain. Some allow scientists to monitor more neurons than was previously possible in a living brain. Others grant researchers access to the hard-to-reach regions of the brain. Their big advantage: The tools can record the fast patterns of electrical signals the brain uses to convey information in more detail than before. It’s this neural Morse code scientists want to decipher…"

Scientists hope these deeper data dives will help further the understanding of how networks of neurons work together during learning, memory, vision and movement. That could lead to better therapies for patients with brain-related diseases like dementia, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. The researchers use New Scale’s MPM Multi-Probe Micromanipulator System to position their miniature neural probes. M3-LS Linear Micro Stages in the MPM System allow multiple axes of precision motion in extremely small spaces.

Phaseview  SmartScan provides ultra fast Z-stacking capabilities for microscopy applications by remotely scanning image planes.

Z-scanning is achieved without moving sample stage or objective thus allowing vibration free and fast acquisition time only limited by camera performance.

As aberration free and diffraction limited optical devices, SmartScan optical Z-scanner provides precise and repeatable Z-steps.

SmartScan fits in between microscope turret and objective. SmartScan is compatible with all kind of microscopes: upright / inverted, BF, FL, SPIM, 2Photons, etc. and require no microscope modification or additional accessories. All types of objectives magnification / NA can be used,including high numerical aperture diiping lenses.

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by Carly Burleson, Applications Engineer, and Joseph Bonvallet, Applications Engineer, Ocean Optics

The focus of this application note is the detection of adulteration in lavender essential oil using an attenuated total reflection infrared spectrometer, the Ocean Optics Ocean MZ5. Lavender oil is one of the best-selling oils and most adulterated [2]. The Ocean MZ5 focuses on a portion (1818-909 cm-1) of the fingerprint region (~1500-500 cm-1), which gives a unique spectrum for each compound [3]. Combining this region with the use of chemometrics, a powerful tool utilizing multivariate statistical analyses and data transformations, provides even greater analysis capabilities. It was determined that the limit of detection (LOD) of lavender in sweet almond oil is 6.74% and the LOD of sweet almond oil in lavender is 7.66%.

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A new application note from Toptica describes how complex time-resolved measurements can be performed using ASOPS (asynchronous optical sampling). It gives detailed insight how a system consisting of four synchronized FemtoFiber lasers was used to realize a sophisticated pump-probe setup for time-resolved microscopy and spectroscopy.

Read and Download the Note here.

Abberior Instruments is known for extraordinary customization ability of its flexible STED microscope platform. We have developed the ultimate compact STED and confocal microscope, called STEDYCON.

STEDYCON is a completely new class of nanoscope. It converts your conventional epifluorescence microscope into a versatile four-color confocal (405nm, 488nm, 561nm, 640nm) and STED (775nm) system! At the same time, it is incredibly compact and can be used by anyone!

DynamicPLUS: Superior sensitivity and full dynamic range within the same image

Our new DynamicPLUS feature offers unrivaled performance with both STED and classical confocal applications. With DynamicPLUS, you can be sure to capture everything from the faintest details to the brightest spots.

The underlying avalanche photo detectors (APDs) have a superior quantum efficiency, up to a factor of two above even hybrid detectors. This means that even when signal-levels are low, our APDs still collect plenty of photons for a meaningful image. Typical applications are super-resolution STED imaging and experiments with low labeling densities designed to stay close to physiological conditions.

At the same time, the dead-time compensation of DynamicPLUS allows crisp images of high-signal samples, such as bright confocal images. Of course, raw data for quantitative analysis and deconvolution is always available.

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Calibration laser interferometer SP 15000 C5 with reflector unit and straightness mirror

• Synchronous, continuous
  5 DOF-measurement of length, pitch and yaw angle as well as straightness
• Horizontal and vertical components of axis straightness are measured by a rotatable optics.
• Calibration software according to currently applicable standards
• Easy handling and adjustment by integrated beam direction detection
• Beam deflection with an optional adjustable deflection mirror

The SIOS Messtechnik system SP 15000C5 is a multiple beam interferometer which can measure the length, two angles and the straightness simultaneously. Due to the large length measurement range the device is suitable for calibrating from small to very large machine tools and coordinate measurement machines.

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BaySpec's Breeze is the world’s smartest palm-size spectrometer for 400-1700nm with a simple one-button operation. Featuring proprietary miniaturized optics, BreezeTM is highly efficient for maximum sensitivity with ultra-fast acquisition.

• Covers wavelength ranges from 400-1700nm
• Equipped with internal broadband light source
• Bluetooth connectivity compatible with IOS and Android
• Comes equipped with an internal battery, allowing for up to 2 hour of continuous use
• Easy to use contact measurement implementation
• Comes with LightSpec smartphone application for user interface

BaySpecBaySpec introduces Breeze, the world’s smartest palm-size spectrometer for 400-1700nm with a simple one-button operation. Featuring proprietary miniaturized optics, BreezeTM is highly efficient for maximum sensitivity with ultra-fast acquisition. For the first time, a smart device delivers laboratory performance in a handheld form.

The Princeton Applied ResearchPARSTAT® MC (PMC)® MC (PMC) is the most modular and robust multi-channel electrochemical testing platform on the market.
The PMC chassis provides a robust environment up to 10 modules, up to 20 channels.  

Channels can operate simultaneously for high-throughput routine testing, asynchronously for different experiments on distinct cells or in a complex matrix of multiple electrodes in a single test environment. Additional channels can be added on-site by the user, even while other channels are in operation. Every functional block within the chassis is designed to be user-replaceable minimizing the impact of any interruptions in your experiment.

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From Gentec-EO: Bacon-loving physicists and engineers rejoice! The powers that be have heard our plea: laser-fried bacon strips are now a thing. What a time to be alive, to cite a Canadian rapper.

Laser cooking, for lack of a better name at this time, is a novel dry-heating method pioneered in Japan by Kentaro Fukuchi at Meiji University, along with his associate Kazuhiro Jo from Kyushu University.

Their approach is actually the subject of a paper, so their methodology and observations are documented in a way that corresponds with the scientific method. It goes without saying that the food is grabbing our attention here, but as a company operating in the domain of laser applications, we couldn’t help but notice some details about the laser setup and process as a whole in use in these videos.  

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• Flexible, ultra-precise length measuring system
• Modern industrial design, protection against splash water
• Single-beam measuring principle minimizes Abbe errors.
• Plane mirrors and tilt-invariant reflectors are possible.
• Compact system for on-site use possible

The laser interferometers of the SIOS Messtechnik GmbH SP-NG series are precision length measuring instruments with a wide range of applications in research and industry. They can be adapted to specific tasks and are characterized by easy handling and beam adjustment. The compact design enables them to be used even in confined spaces. In addition to small ball reflectors with screw and magnet attachments also plane mirrors, other tilt-invariant reflectors and surfaces with optical quality are used. The long-range laser interferometer SP 15000 NG is available in different versions for measuring ranges up to 40 m, 60 m and 80 m. By further additional components such as a 90° beam deflection in four spatial directions or a highly stable beam direction alignment for very compact designs expands the range of applications of laser interferometers. Depending on the application, powerful software solutions for measurement and calibration are available. 

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