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Wellcome on the STED Tutorial

Version 1 27.08.2013

Before using the Sp5 WLL STED microscope , you will need to put

down your name on the reservation system =

https://sv-bbs.epfl.ch/ptbiop/

STED, on the SP5WLL.

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System start Up. (Page 3-8) Laser switch and calibration (page 11-13) Sted configuration(page 14-17) System shut down. (page 18-22)

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System Start up (step 1)

On the STED Tower, Switch “ ON ” the button

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System Start up (step 2)

The SHG led turns green for 3sec,

then it’s turns orange for 3 minutes,

then it’s turns green again after 1 minutes.

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System Start up (step 3)

Turn the key from the depletion laser 592-nm to vertical position.

The SHG led turns green.

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System Start up (step 4)

Push the PC/Microscope button

Push the Scanner Power button.

Push the Laser Power button (White laser is “on”).

Turn the Key on the right position (Argon laser is “on”).

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Turn “on” the XCite Light.

System Start up (step 5)

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System Start up (step 6)

When the computer is on

Introduce your Username

Introduce your Password

Introduce your login

Start the LASAF software.

Under “Configuration” select Machine STED.

Do OK

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Choosing the objective

Under Acquire and Acquisition

Choose and select your objective

in the list.

To acquire a STED image you need to use the

HCX PL APO CS 100x 1.40 OIL

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Choosing the Filter

You need to introduice a Notch filter to block the laser 592nm

Select “Analyzer Filter”

Deselect “ Auto Select”

Select “NF STED ” filter

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Under “ Configuration” select 2times

the 592 depletion laser

Be sure the “Laser Enabled” led appears white (on the STED tower) .

Laser Switch 1

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Under “Hardware Configuration ” and “Laser” select the WLL and Argon Laser.

Increase the power of the 592 Depletion laser to 75% ( minimum) 100% .

Increase the wll laser to 70% ( good value = the laser is very stable).

Increase the Argon laser to 30%.

Laser Switch 2

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Every time that you want to use the STED , you need to allign the 592 laser vs WLL laser.

Go to the “ STED Setting “ dialogue and press the “ Align Beams “ fonction.

Wait until the calibration is finish.

Press “ OK “.

Laser calibration/alignement

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By using the depletion laser 592nm, the samples can be bleach very quickly, so first scan the sample in standard Confocal mode to find the focus and prepare the STED configuration close to work.

Set the WLL laser line that you need to use (10 to 30 %).

Select the Hyd 2 detector and set it , to 100%.

Set the Hyd bandwidth. Its start must be 10nm bigger

than the WLL excitation line used and its end must

not exceed 582nm.

Use a format like 512x512 or 1024x1024.

Use a scan speed like 400HRZ .

Use a zoom factor from 4 to 6 .

Conventional configuration

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Select the STED mode.

Set the WLL laser line that you need to use ( for ex. 488nm at 30 % to 50% transmission ).

Select the Hyd 2 detector and set it to 100%. Introduce

to the Hyd a bandwidth that is 10nm fahter to the WLL

line that you set, and maximum 10nm lower than the

wavelength of the laser depletion ( +/-582nm).

Open the Gate Setting; set the Wll value which is equal to

the value you use to excite the fluorochrome (for ex 488nm)

Set the Gate Start from 0,5 to 2,5 1,5 a compromise

Set the Gate End to 6,5

STED configuration ( step1)

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Use a format like 1024x1024 to 2048x2048.

Use a scan speed like 200 to 400HRZ .

Use a zoom factor from 4 to 6.

Very important ,control that the pixel size is 20nm or less.

Use 3-4 Accu in frame mode.

Use 0-4 average in line mode.

Ex. if you use 200 HRZ, use 2 – 3 accu without average.

If you use 400 HRZ use 2 - 3 accu with 2-4 average.

STED configuration (step2)

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Select” Switch Conventionel Laser”.

Select the ” STED ” .

Set the Depletion 592nm laser line at ” 100% ”

You can use less than 100%, but you may lost

some resolution, and win some intesity.

Use ” Start” and not live to acquire the image.

STED configuration (step3)

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System Shut Down (step 1)

Before you exit from the software …….PLEASE clean the objective. Turn off the 3 lasers

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System Shut Down (step 2)

Exit from the LASAF software.

Go to Start and shut down the computer.

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Turn “on” the XCite Light.

System Shut Down (step 3)

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System Shut Down (step 4)

Turn the Key on the left position (Argon laser is “off”).

Turn off the Laser Power button (White laser is “off”).

Turn off the Scanner Power button

Turn off the PC/Microscope button

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System Shut Down (step 5)

On the STED Tower, turn the Key vertical position

Switch “ off ” the button