Rowena,

I know this problem also from other LSM 510 users. Beside other things
it can be caused by a microscope table not perfectly aligned or a
preparation with a cover glass not sitting in a perfect 90 angle to your
objective. A second problem could be the fiber coupling of your lasers
to the scan-box. The orientation of the fiber is polarisation sensitive
and might have to be aligned more carefully to your laser box. This
problem is something the service would have to take care of.
As you say it is not always, do you see it only with certain objectives
at certain zoom values or may be only after a certain time your system
is running or when you run your laser and AOTF power very high? This is
because it might be also a temperature problem if your lab room is not
air conditioned day and night. You should also check if the fiber
running to the scan box is well enough protected from stronger
mechanical disturbances.

Hopes this helps to solve your problems


Roland

_______________

Nitschke, Roland Dr.

Institute of Physiology

Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg

Hermann-Herder-Str.7

D-79104 Freiburg

Germany
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phone: 49-761-2035195
fax: 49-761-2035191