Olympus DSU Spinning Disk Confocal

Olympus Updated: 2007-09-10
Olympus DSU Spinning Disk Confocal

The Olympus DSU (Disk Scanning Unit) represents a breakthrough in spinning disk confocal technology. Designed by Olympus, the DSU disk contains a pattern of slits that creates a virtual pinhole as the disk spins at 3,000 rpm. Designed to optimize the tradeoff between confocality and light throughput, the DSU uses an arc lamp illumination source for maximum excitation wavelength flexibility at a reasonable cost. The DSU is compatible with both inverted and upright Olympus microscopes, including the motorized IX81 and BX61 making it an ideal imaging system for automated Z-stack, 3-D image analysis. The water-immersion BX61WI and BX51WI electrophysiology microscopes and the entire water immersion objective line are also supported.

# Image formation is obtained from a CCD camera that allows full frame images to be acquired at up to 15 frames per second. The DSU is excellent for live-cell applications where speed of acquisition and minimal phototoxicity is paramount.

# Disk control is fully motorized allowing a computer to easily engage the disk into the lightpath and select wavelengths via the included filter changer. Five disks are available of varying slit width and spacing allowing the DSU to be optimized for varying objective numerical apertures and specimen thicknesses.

# Fully motorized disk operation and wavelength selection allows computer control and easy switching between confocal and brightfield techniques.

# UV fluorescence excitation capable. DSU optical design is optimized for 350nm excitation allowing excellent performance from near UV to near IR. DSU accepts standard Olympus filter cubes for excellent system flexibility.

# A CCD camera is used for image acquisition allowing full frame, high resolution imaging at up to 15 f.p.s.

# Five disks are available of varying slit width and spacing allowing the user to optimize disk performance to different objective numerical apertures and specimen thicknesses.

# Confocal images can be collected with objectives from 10x to 100x.

# Disk switch-outs are easy to perform.

# DSU is powered by the microscope's power supply saving important bench space and maintaining cost effectiveness.

# DSU filter turret has six positions, and can accept up to 5 different fluorescence filter cubes for excellent system flexibility.

# Small Footprint: The DSU mounts off the back of the BX51, BX61 or IX2 conserving valuable bench space on either side of the microscope frame.

# Illumination system includes a field stop to control the area of the specimen that is illuminated.