Nikon elevates confocal imaging to unprecedented levels

The Nikon A1 confocal laser microscope system has achieved a new level of quality in confocal imaging and has multiple functions through new innovations. There are two models to choose from: fully automatic A1 and high specification A1R. A1 uses traditional paired galvanometers to obtain images with a resolution of up to 4096x4096, while A1R introduces a unique hybrid scanner system that provides 512x512 pixel imaging at a true speed of 30fps. Excellent image quality can be easily achieved during ultra high speed imaging. In addition, hybrid scanners enable synchronous photoactivation and imaging, which are crucial for revealing cell dynamics and interactions.

|Unique hybrid scanning technology

•Ultra high speed imaging at 420fps

A1R has added a resonance scanner with a resonance frequency of 7.8kHz to achieve high-speed imaging at 420 fps (512 x 32 pixels). It can achieve 30fps at a resolution of 512X512. Moreover, the field of view of the resonant scanner completely overlaps with that of the galvanometer scanner, and a conventional galvanometer scanner can also achieve a speed of 10fps (512X512). Nikon's unique optical clock generation method can achieve high image quality even at the highest speed. The maximum transmission speed of its fiber optic communication data transmission system can reach 4 Gbit/s.

Extremely high speed allows real-time observation of cell movement in the bloodstream (red: blood vessels; green: nucleus, 120 pfs)

•Photoactivation synchronous high-speed imaging

High speed photoactivation imagingDue to the integration of non resonant scanners and resonant scanners in a single unit, there is no need for separate lasers for photoactivation, and photoactivation and fluorescence imaging can be performed simultaneously. Having a resonance scanner capable of high-speed imaging enables the acquisition of rapidly changing signals after photoactivation.

The release of histamine by photoactivation causes changes in intracellular calcium ion concentration. The above figure shows the FRET process of Yellow Cameleon 3.60 CFP and YFP groups (using 457nm laser imaging, imaging speed synchronized with photoactivation at 30pfs).

What is a hybrid scanning head

Nikon's unique hybrid scanning head is equipped with both a galvanometer and a resonant scanning device, and allows for flexible switching or simultaneous use of two sets of scanning devices through an ultra high speed selector.

•Conventional galvanometer scanner obtains high-resolution images

The galvanometer scanner can achieve a resolution of up to 4096X4096 in a single scan. At the same time, with the help of newly developed driver and sampling systems, as well as image correction technology, images can be obtained at a high speed of 10pfs (512X512).

Four color labeled zebrafish image (blue: nucleus, green: pupil, yellow: nerve, red: muscle)

|Enhanced fluorescence detection efficiency

The dichroic mirror in the scanning head adopts a low angle dichroic mirror with an average transmittance of 98%, and the fluorescence intensity is enhanced by 30%.

At the same time, using Nikon's unique hexagonal pinhole can increase fluorescence collection by 30% compared to traditional square pinhole.

Nikon's unique optical design makes imaging brighter. This can minimize the laser exposure intensity and reduce cell damage.

|Gallium Arsenide Phosphide (GaAsP) High Sensitivity Detector

The phosphorus gallium arsenide multi-channel fluorescence detector developed by Nikon is equipped with a two channel GaAsP high-sensitivity detector and a two channel ordinary PMT detector. The detection wavelength range reaches 400-750nm.

The quantum efficiency of GaAs PMT can be doubled. Far superior to ordinary PMT.

The sensitivity of GaAsP PMT is much higher than that of ordinary PMT, and even weak fluorescent samples that were difficult to capture in the past can obtain high brightness images with extremely low background noise.

|VAAS pinhole component for obtaining bright and clear images

Nikon has developed an innovative technology called Virtual Adjustable Aperture System (VAAS), which can remove blur while maintaining image brightness. Deconvolve the light passing through the pinhole and the light not passing through the pinhole to obtain brighter images, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio.

|Easy to use and powerful features

Use NIS Elements C control software to integrate the confocal imaging system, microscope, and peripheral devices into one, with a simple and intuitive operating interface. At the same time, it provides reliable and comprehensive post analysis functions.

Basic Settings

Optical path setting

Based on the Ti-E inverted microscope, the confocal system can be integrated with N-SIM/N-STORM super-resolution system, TIRF system, spectral detection and perfect focusing system to provide a multi-mode imaging solution. At the same time, all systems can work perfectly on the same NIS Elements platform.