Focus on lasers, imaging, and microscopy

Ultrafast near-IR fiber laser

Toptica’s FemtoFiber ultra 920 laser provides pulses centered at 920 nm with a duration typically less than 100 fs and a repetition rate of 80 MHz. It reaches an average power greater than 1 W, which the company says is a novel achievement in view of the instrument’s ultrashort-pulse capability. The pulses are generated by a mode-locked, ring-type, erbium-based fiber oscillator consisting of a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror and a high-power fiber amplifier. To ensure reliability, only polarization-maintaining fibers are used in the signal path. The compact, air-cooled laser is suitable for nonlinear microscopy applications such as two-photon excitation of fluorescent proteins and second-harmonic generation-based contrast mechanisms. It can also be used for semiconductor inspection. Toptica Photonics Inc, 5847 County Rd 41, Farmington, NY 14425, www.toptica.com

High-frame-rate cameras

The i-Speed 510 and 513 high-speed video cameras join model 508 in iX Cameras’ 5-series of compact midrange cameras. With a custom 12-bit 1920 pixel × 1080 pixel CMOS image sensor, the 510 can record 4980 fps at full HD resolution, and the 513 offers 6382 fps. For all three models, the maximum frame rate is 500 000 fps. With the fast-mode shutter option, the 5-series can achieve exposure times of 250 ns. The 510 and 513 deliver 10 GPx/s and 13 GPx/s throughput, respectively. The sealed electronics design has an internal cooling system that vents heat from inside the cameras to the atmosphere. The compact units incorporate up to 144 GB of memory; an internal solid-state drive (SSD) of up to 8 TB is optional. The series also introduces a swappable external SSD with storage capacities up to 2 TB, so large data files in final video formats can be moved quickly and easily. iX Cameras, 8 Cabot Rd, Ste 1800, Woburn, MA 01801, www.ix-cameras.com

Portable atomic force microscope

According to NanoMagnetics Instruments, its ezAFM+ atomic force microscope not only offers high imaging power at the nanoscale but is also flexible, portable, and cost-effective. A user-friendly design makes it suitable for basic research and nanotechnology education. The ezAFM+ features scan ranges of 120 μm × 120 μm × 40 μm or 40 μm × 40 μm × 4 μm, a resolution of 2 μm, and a noise floor of 65 fm√Hz. It offers four microscopy imaging modes—contact, phase, lateral force, and magnetic force—and an HD video camera with a 390 μm × 230 μm field of view, a 2516 pixel × 1960 pixel image sensor, and a 30 fps frame rate. The standard sample size is 10 mm × 10 mm × 5 mm, but the microscope can be configured to accept any sample size. Extended imaging options include liquid cell and scanning tunneling microscopy. A 38-mm-stroke two-axis motorized sample positioner and a 2-mm-stroke two-axis manual sample positioner are available as accessories. NanoMagnetics Instruments, 266 Banbury Rd, Ste 290, Oxford OX2 7DL, UK, www.nanomagnetics-inst.com

Fast submicron-resolution imaging of intact samples

Zeiss has introduced two advanced models to its Xradia Versa x-ray microscope family. Improved source and optics technology enable the Xradia Versa models 610 and 620 to deliver nondestructive imaging of intact samples without sacrificing resolution and contrast. The series features 500 nm spatial resolution and 40 nm minimum voxel size. It lets users observe submicron features on a broad range of sample types and sizes and maintains high resolution across large working distances. Applications include investigating the energy materials under operating conditions and visualizing defects associated with semiconductor-package-level failure. Life sciences researchers can use the Xradia 600-series Versa to study soft tissue, such as neural tissue and vascular networks; mineralized tissue, such as bones; and plant structures, such as roots. Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH, Carl-Zeiss-Promenade 10, 07745 Jena, Germany, www.zeiss.com

Thermal sensors for laser measurements

A new addition to MKS Instruments’ Ophir line of LP2 laser power/energy sensors, model L50(150)A-LP2-35 is a compact thermal measurement sensor suitable for use with high-power-density and long-pulse lasers. It features an LP2 antireflection coating that, according to the company, provides the highest damage threshold in the industry: 33 kW/cm² at 150 W full CW power. The coating absorbs 95% at most wavelengths and is spectrally flat at ±1% from 0.25 µm to 2.2 µm. It lets the sensor measure concentrated, lower-power beams and short exposures of higher power. The L50(150)A-LP2-35 has a 35 mm aperture. It can measure laser power from 100 mW to 50 W continuously and up to 150 W intermittently, measure power up to 4000 W from a short 0.4 s exposure to the laser, and measure laser energy from 40 mJ to 3000 J. Ophir-Spiricon LLC, 3050 N 300 W, North Logan, UT 84341, www.ophiropt.com

Dual-functionality imaging microscope

According to Tomocube, its HT-2 microscope is the first to combine holotomography and 3D fluorescence imaging in one unit. It is designed to enable long-term tracking of specific targets in live cells while minimizing stress. The morphological, chemical, and mechanical properties of cells are recorded by 3D refractive index tomograms, and the fluorescence imaging capability adds molecular specificity information. The HT-2 incorporates a customizable three-channel LED light source (385 nm, 470 nm, and 570 nm) and a motorized Z-drive with a step resolution of 150 nm to generate highly detailed Z-stack images. A digital micromirror-device optical light shaper, which consists of several hundred thousand micromirrors arranged in a rectangular array, eliminates the need for moving parts in the light path and delivers stable performance during long-term studies. Tomocube Inc, 2nd Floor, KHE Bldg, 48 Yuseong-daero 1184 beon-gil, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34109, South Korea, www.tomocube.com

Terahertz-Raman spectroscopy modules

The Coherent TR-series of THz-Raman spectroscopy modules deliver spectral information in the terahertz frequency—or low wavenumber—range, which provides unique data about subtle phase differences, crystallinity, orientation, and other sample characteristics. The modules can be used to upgrade an optical microscope or a visible-to-near-IR or Raman spectrometer. The products allow simple access to that key “structural fingerprint” frequency range and enable nondestructive characterization of structural changes in real time. Coherent TR-series modules feature the company’s patented narrowband filter technology. By using Raman scatter near the excitation Rayleigh wavelength, the modules provide frequency-resolved terahertz data with the convenience and low cost of using visible or near-IR light, such as glass optics and fibers and silicon-based CCD/CMOS detectors. Coherent Inc, 5100 Patrick Henry Dr, Santa Clara, CA 95054, www.coherent.com

New literature

Nanopositioning products catalog

Physik Instrumente has published Nanopositioning for Microscopy, a brochure that explains nanopositioning mechanisms for high-resolution microscopy applications. Positioning optics or samples with resolution in the subnanometer range is feasible and critical for improving the resolution, focusing speed, and stability of images taken with techniques such as fluorescence, widefield, laser scanning, atomic force, transmission electron, superresolution, optical stereo, and correlative microscopy. The informative flow charts and application tables simplify the process of selecting the best drive technology for each application. Available in print and as an interactive PDF with links to additional information on the company’s website, it addresses the needs of scientists and engineers by providing a comprehensive overview of nanopositioning sample stages, nonmagnetic linear motor stages, fast piezo nanofocus drives, objective and lens scanners, and multiaxis motion systems with up to six degrees of freedom. Physik Instrumente LP, 16 Albert St, Auburn, MA 01501, www.pi-usa.us