Dear Pertti,

Leica (as Zeiss) uses optical fibers from PointSource to couple the 
lasers into the scan-head. Typically the fibers last quite long (one of 
our Leica machines is running for 10 years), but bending them too much 
may destroy them. The fibers themselves (especially as you don't need 
the incoupling) should cost around 1000 GBP - so way less then your 4800 
Euro. The fiber could be exchanged also by you, although the alignment 
(getting the maximum incoupling efficiency) may be time consuming. Leica 
(but probably also other companies as well) have the tendency to have at 
least 2x higher prices for the replacement components then if you buy it 
directly from the manufacturer.

Cheers   Gabor
> Hi all,
>
> We have two Leica SP2 AOBS confocal systems. The one purchased in Dec 2003
> had a problem with the optic fiber of the Argon 488 laser (almost no light
> passed), and the fiber was changed in Feb 2008. The new fiber is now dead as
> well (after 1.5 yrs), and should be replaced. Last time this cost us over
> 4800 euro (7000 USD), and I am wondering what kind of lifetime others expect
> for the fibers. To me this sounds like a high unexpected annual cost, and I
> have not seen it with other confocal systems here or elsewhere. If any of
> you have useful information, this is part no 51905-488 (manufacturer unkonwn).
>
> Best regards 
>
> Pertti Panula
>   


-- 
Gabor Csucs 
Light Microscopy Centre, ETH Zurich
Schafmattstrasse 18, HPM F16 
CH-8093, Zurich, Switzerland

Web: www.lmc.ethz.ch
Phone: +41 44 633 6221
Mobile: +41 79 758 21 58
Fax: +41 44 632 1298
e-mail: [log in to unmask]