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Olaf


It is interesting that you should ask this question today.
I am just setting up do do a number of quantitative thermal drift  
experiments on that that very scenario.
I have just acquired today a very sensitive capacitance gauge to  
measure Z axis displacement of thermal stages.
I will be recording thermal drift from a number of heated stage  
manufacturers including the new Bioptechs Stable Z.
I will be making the results available on our web site ASAP.

Although I cannot give you quantitative info at this time until I  
take the readings,
I can tell you that the termal drift typically comes from several  
sources.
1. The heated plate itself
2. The plastic of the dish or cell container
3. The expansion of the stage and the scope frame as it absorbs the  
excess heat from the heated plate
All of these contributing factors have been eliminated by our soon to  
be released specimen warming product.

If you are interested in a warming insert for your stage, compatible  
with standard plastic ware, that does not contribute to "Z" axis  
drift, contact me off list or look for our product release the first  
of the year.

How soon do you need the information to make your case for improved AC?




Dan





On Nov 14, 2006, at 3:12 PM, Dr. Olaf Selchow wrote:

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Hello List,

anybody out there who has an idea about how much focus shift  
(approximately) I can expect from a 5 (10) deg celsius temperature  
change in the lab on an Olympus BX 51 WI?
With aproximately I mean: is it 1, 5 or 10 µm?? Or even more?

I know I should keep the temperature constant (the goal in our case  
is plus minus 1 deg C) but we need to know how much the focus shifts  
to have good arguments to ask for better air conditioning the lab...   
A measurement would take time - therefore it would help a lot if  
someone has done the test already and can help out with his experience.

Thanks very much!

Olaf



Dan Focht
Bioptechs Inc.
V (724)282-7145
F (724)282-0745
www.bioptechs.com