Nikon Launches High Speed Multiphoton Microscope System

Nikon Instruments has launched its new A1R MP Multiphoton and Confocal microscope system for high speed, high resolution and high sensitivity multiphoton excitation and confocal fluorescence imaging. The A1R MP allows for deeper, faster and sharper imaging, while remaining cell-friendly with fast resonant imaging at up to 420 fps.

Nikon’s A1R MP is a unique multiphoton imaging system featuring a high resolution galvanometer scanner and a high speed resonant scanner that is capable of frame rates from 30 fps at 512 X 512 pixels to as fast as 420 fps in band scan mode. New four channel non-descanned multiphoton detectors with higher sensitivity, reduced dark current and broad spectral range allow for real time unmixing of closely spaced probes for deep tissue and accurate, high contrast spectral imaging. This is especially important in multiphoton imaging because of the overlap of emission spectra of probes and autofluorescence, which is often unavoidable when using a single laser line.

“By combining multiphoton imaging and resonant scanning, the A1R MP can image deep within a specimen and image at video rates for full frame images or even faster for 32 line band scans,” commented Stan Schwartz, vice president, Nikon Instruments, Inc. “This system is particularly well-suited for imaging deep within brain tissue where it is not possible to cut thin sections and keep circuitry intact to study neural phenomenon.”

The Nikon A1R MP also features a newly-developed, one click auto-alignment of the infrared femtosecond Ti:sapphire multiphoton excitation laser, allowing for fast set up, wavelength changes, GVD pre-chirping compensation and total ease of use. This device completely encloses the beam within the instrument from the laser to the objective lens – a huge improvement in the operating safety of multiphoton imaging systems.

Bright, high resolution imaging is provided by the newly introduced Nikon Lambda S (λS) objective series, featuring the highest numerical apertures (NA) for water immersion objectives yet. The CFI APO LWD 40X WI λS objective with NA 1.15 and a working distance of 610 microns incorporates Nikon’s new Nano-crystal coat. Ideal for high performance multiphoton imaging, this unique coating provides high transmissions over an expanded correction range from the violet through the near IR range.

The latest version of NIS-Elements C Version 3.1 software orchestrates all microscope control and multiphoton acquisition with the capabilities of acquiring data at high speed, control of various motorized devices. This includes fast piezoelectric Z focus positioners and XY translational stages, input/output triggers and flexible experiment design. High speed, high precision unmixing algorithms enable high contrast imaging.

The A1R MP confocal scanner on the inverted Ti-E microscope platform is now available. The upright A1R-MP on the focusing nosepiece upright FN1 stand will be available in spring 2010.