Adjusting Refractive Index for Clearing Applications using ZEISS’ Lightsheet Z.1

Scientists must consider specimen integrity, fluorescent labelling and refractive indices (R.I.) when working with clearing applications and adapting the clearing procedures to their specimens. It is crucial to check the R.I. of clearing solutions to minimize mismatches and resulting optical errors, such as spherical aberrations, and to increase the image quality and depth penetration, before and during the clearing procedure. This technology note describes a simple method to check the R.I. for clearing and imaging solution necessary for successful clearing imaging with Lightsheet Z.1.