Instrument Name:

Nikon Inverted Spinning-Disk Confocal Microscope (CSU-W1) Room: X206

Introduction

The NIKON CSU W1 is a microlens-enhanced rotary confocal microscope that utilizes two rotary discs with synchronously rotating microlenses and pinhole arrays to scan samples with multiple light beams in parallel. This process filters out out-of-focus signals, enabling high-resolution confocal imaging at high speeds with low phototoxicity. The microscope is equipped with a Live-SR super-resolution module that takes advantage of the high-speed rotating discs to generate real-time structured light super-resolution images. It supports multi-color imaging and can handle up to 6 channels for super-resolution imaging. The maximum resolution in the XY direction is 105 nm, with a maximum speed of 200 frames per second.

Application

The NIKON CSU W1-LIVE SR super-resolution microscope is suitable for a variety of applications, ranging from wide-field imaging to super-resolution observations, as well as live cell and conventional slide studies. It supports commonly used dyes and fluorescent proteins and boasts advantages such as fast imaging speeds and minimal photodamage. It can be used for 3D dynamic imaging of live cells, 3D scanning and reconstruction of tissue sections, long-term culture of in vivo organs, and fast stitching scanning of multi-well plates.

Key Technical Specifications

Laser Powers:

405-100 mW; 488-200 mW; 561-200 mW; 638-180 mW

Objectives:

4X (air, NA=0.20, WD 20 mm) 10X (air, NA=0.45, WD 4.00 mm) 10X (air, NA=0.3, WD 16.00 mm) 20X (air, NA=0.8, WD 0.8 mm) 20X (air, NA=0.5, WD 2.1 mm) 25X (silicone oil, NA=1.05, WD 0.55 mm) 40X (air, NA=0.8, WD 0.2 mm) 40X (air, NA=0.75, WD 0.66 mm) 60X (oil, NA=1.42, WD 0.15 mm) 100X (oil, NA=1.45, WD 0.13 mm)

Imaging Modes:

Widefield, Confocal, SR (Super Resolution), DIC (Differential Interference Contrast)

Emission Filters:

EM B525/50 for 488 nm; EM B617/73 for 561 nm; EM B447/60 for 405 nm; EM B685/40 for 640 nm

Resolution:

In Confocal mode, the resolution can reach up to 180 nm. In SR mode, the lateral resolution can reach up to 105 nm.

PFS Focusing System:

PFS (Perfect Focus System) features an ultra-high sampling rate of 5 milliseconds (200 Hz) and is independent of the microscope and camera control software, compensating for focus drift caused by temperature changes, mechanical vibrations, stage movement, or reagent addition.

Live-SR Super-Resolution Module:

Utilizes a high-speed rotating disc with 60× or 100× high-adaptability objectives and a 2.8× magnifying relay lens for real-time structured light super-resolution, supporting dual-color imaging and up to 6 channels; maximum XY resolution 105 nm, speed 200 fps; only one original image required, low phototoxicity, suitable for long-term tracking.

Acquisition Speed:

≤ 200 frames per second

Camera:

sCMOS high-sensitivity camera, physical pixel 2304×2304, pixel size 6.5 µm×6.5 µm, QE 95%, bit depth 16-bit/12-bit/8-bit

Scanning Magnification:

1.5x and 2x

Uniformization Lighting Module:

The uniformization lighting ensures consistent brightness across the entire field of view, reducing brightness differences at stitching boundaries, and is compatible with the super-resolution system.

Live Cell Culture System:

Temperature-controlled system with pre-supplied 100% CO2, digital gas mixing, sample temperature feedback, self-calibration, online data saving and USB import, relative humidity above 85%, touchscreen parameter setting.

Adapters:

Adapters for multi-well plates, 35-mm culture dishes, and single-well chamber slides

Stage:

High-precision high-speed electric stage and PiezoZ piezoelectric stage, travel range 400 µm, step accuracy 2 nm

Image Processing Software:

NIS-Elements AR offline analysis software supports up to 6-dimensional imaging, image stitching and depth-of-field expansion, centrally controlling Nikon microscopes and third-party equipment; includes HCA (High Content Analysis, guided templates, up to 20 plates automated), JOBS (graphical workflow customization), and GA3 (General Analysis 3) modules.