Start-up protocol for image acquisition
Switch on
- Before you switch on the system, fill in the log book (start time, hours on mercury lamp, etc)
- Switch on all three green buttons (PC/Microscope, Scanner Power and Laser Power) and turn the key (Laser Emission).
- Allow computer to boot up
- Log on as TCS User
- Double click LAS AF
- Choose configuration – Machine
- Next question is about the motorised stage – if you would like to acquire tile scans or use the mark and find option (both useful for tissue sections) then select YES, otherwise select NO
- Connection should be successful and program will now complete loading and initialise the hardware
- If required, switch on the Mercury lamp - This should be left on for at least 30 minutes and not switched on again for 30 minutes once switched off
- Please inform Rolly or Anne as soon as the bulb hours goes past 200
Set configuration for your experiment
Go to Configuration at top left corner
Lasers
- Select Lasers and switch on all lasers that you require – please check if you are using after someone else that the right lasers for your experiment have been switched on or switch off the lasers that have been left on and you do not require
- The argon laser should be set to 30% and the fans should start up as well
- The lasers take about 30 minutes to warm up completely and should be left on for at least 30 minutes
- Please note that it is more harmful for them to be switched on and off between users than left on for a 1-2 hour gap at lunchtime.
- Control Panel
- The second circle on the control panel should be highlighted and changed to 1% per turn to allow for fine adjustment of your smart offset.
- There will be no immediate need to alter any of the other settings at this point. However, if you wish to change the function of any of the control panel knobs, activate it by clicking on the appropriate circle and then choose the function from the menu below
- If you wish to take higher resolution images then you can adjust the settings to 12-bit or 16-bit from the 8-bit default
- The other icons allow you to find out more information about the microscope objectives and common fluorochrome spectra.
Return to the Acquire option.
This is where you will set up the laser paths you require
This section will be covered in the introductory training session and repeated during your first assisted session
Switch off
- The laser emission key and the mercury lamp should be switched off once you have acquired your data.
- However, please check the booking system before you do so in case someone else is about to use it.
- The laser emission key once switched off starts powering down both the lasers and the fans.
- The number of hours on the mercury lamp together with the switch off time should be logged on the sheet.
- Remove your last slide and clean off any oil residues left on the objectives.
- Save images and export data as required.
- Go to file and exit program.
- Take data to memory stick or CD.
- Shut down computer.
- Switch of PC/Microscope and Scanner Power buttons.
- The Laser Power button should only be switched off when the fans have switched off.
- You should now complete the log in sheet and add any problems to the query sheet.
- Switch off all room lights and lamps.