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Calibration emission lamp for spectral confocal QA

So far about 200 people have requested more information concerning my
posting last month on the flow cytometry and confocal user group lists
describing a confocal microscopy QA test using a spectral emission lamp.

However, there seems to be some confusion concerning the usage of the
lamp.  What it is NOT is a means of suggesting that instruments made by
different manufacturers are "better" or "worse" than one another. The
true purpose of the lamp is to diagnose problems and confirm that an
instrument is working optimally.  It should be enough to say that
spectral resolution is not the only important parameter when deciding
what instrument to purchase. The lamp is first and foremost a diagnostic
tool that should be used to confirm wavelength accuracy, spectral
resolution, peak to valley ratios (contrast), performance consistency,
and finally, that moving mechanical parts such as slit-sliders are not
sticking.

Most importantly the lamp provides a highly objective, simple and fast
way to communicate with colleagues, or the manufacturer, and to be able
to compare and contrast the performance of LIKE systems.  The fact is
that if manufactures provided user-based calibration and validation
tests we would not be put in position where we have to develop such
tests ourselves!  It is a mistake to assume that your instrument is
working optimally just because you are able to generate "nice looking"
images!

Best wishes
Bob

Robert M. Zucker, PhD
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development
National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory
Reproductive Toxicology Division, MD 72
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27711
Tel: 919-541-1585; fax 919-541-4017
e-mail: [log in to unmask]