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Craig Brideau <[log in to unmask]> writes:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
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> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
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>
> I've built a number of Thorlabs systems 'on a stick' and I find the biggest
> issue is the table or platform the whole system sits on. The post won't
> cantilever too bad if it is on a stable base, but it will aggravate any
> instabilities if you have a 'noisy' tabletop. I have a half-meter high
> system on posts like this that is quite stable (CARS system), but it is on
> a 45cm thick optical table which is floated. On a smaller scale, I have a
> widefield system on a 10cm thick top that is 25cm tall that is fairly
> sturdy with just neoprene damping feet under the breadboard. What sort of
> bench/table do you have? Then I could suggest more accordingly.  If you are
> building inverted a simple solution is to use a very short post or optical
> rail (XT66 or XT95) or a heavy tapped block like the TS240 Tombstone:
>

As a slightly more custom job you could look at the
WOSM. (http://wosmic.org/). Beautiful and extremely stable, designed for
doing single particle tracking working widefield and TIRF. 

Ian