Nikon’s New Perfect Focus System 3 Inverted Research Microscopes

Nikon has released two new inverted research microscopes of the Perfect Focus System line, one for UV-Visible imaging and the other for Visible-IR Imaging for multi-photon microscopy.

The Perfect Focus System 3 features Nikon’s optical offset method that continuously adjusts the focus every few milliseconds. This provides greater ability to do extended time studies of biological activity at full focus.

New improvements of the Perfect Focus System:

Improvement of usability
The newly designed PFS systems enable easier access to objective lenses and their correction collars. In addition, all PFS functions are now controlled through the PC or external controller, eliminating the need to open and close environmental chambers which can lead to

disturbances in the imaging temperature.

Maintaining focus at deeper depths
The new PFS systems can correct for axial drifts and maintain focus at larger distances from the objective, for example, deeper depths in the imaging specimen. This new capability is not only relevant for developmental biology, but other fields of research as experimental trends move toward studying the dynamics of cells in their natural environment such as thick tissues or whole animals.

Increased flexibility in imaging wavelengths for multiphoton microscopy and optical trapping
The multiphoton model of the new PFS now offers compatibility with a larger range of imaging wavelengths, increasing the flexibility of fluorophores and lasers that can be used for multiphoton imaging and other near-infrared applications such as optical trapping/tweezers. The new MP PFS can correct for focus drifts even when imaging with wavelengths ranging from 880-1300nm.

Cost-saving plastic dish
In addition to glass bottom dishes, the plastic dish — which is less expensive and suitable for cell culture — can be used with the new PFS systems. Use of plastic dishes allows researchers to reduce running costs and simplify workflow, especially helpful for high-throughput screening applications that involve multi-well plates.

Press release: Nikon Instruments Inc. Unveils The Third Generation Perfect Focus Systems at Neuroscience 2012

Product page: Perfect Focus System 3…