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Andreas,
Thanks for the feedback. Our confocal under contract does get new lasers
delivered and installed in a week. My impression that the 561nm laser on a
shelf would be fine (just don't drop it!). Thanks for reaffirming these
thoughts.

~Gregg


On Thu, Nov 14, 2013 at 11:47 AM, Andreas Bruckbauer <[log in to unmask]>wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
>
>  I would expect the replacement to be there in 2-3 days but this is with a
> service contract!  My knowledge regarding degrading is based on Argon Ion
> lasers, with these the tube pressure increases when they are not used and
> then the laser does not start any more, so they don't last on the shelf.
> 561 lasers are DPSS and not simple diodes, but i would not expect them to
> degrade over time, but they are more expensive than diodes, so it is a lot
> of money standing around.
>
> best wishes
>
> Andreas
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gregg Sobocinski <[log in to unmask]>
> To: CONFOCALMICROSCOPY <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 18:37
> Subject: Shelf life of lasers and refurbishing
>
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> Our 561nm diode laser went bad on a confocal system, and it has taken 2
> months to obtain a new one. I pose four lines of questioning to the list:
>
> 1) Have people tried refurbishing old lasers? How did they perform?
> 2) Do you believe that refurbished lasers are a good value at half the
> price of new replacement?
> 3) Do lasers degrade while sitting unused on a shelf? (Should we have a
> refurbished laser on hand for next time, or should we wait?)
> 4) Is two months typical for ordering a laser without a service contract?
> Are lasers in that short of supply?
>
> Thanks in advance to all responders.
> ~Gregg
> --
> *Gregg Sobocinski*
> Microscope Imaging Specialist
> University of Michigan
> Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
>
>
>


-- 
*Gregg Sobocinski*
Microscope Imaging Specialist
University of Michigan, MCDB Dept.
830 N. University Ave.
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
(734) 615-2034