Nikon A1R confocal

High-speed, high-resolution imaging to capture intracellular biological processes

The A1 series is Nikon's powerful new fully-automated confocal imaging system, capable of capturing high-quality confocal images of cells and molecular events at high speed and enhanced sensitivity. The A1R with hybrid scanner is ideal for advanced research methods using photo activation imaging. The A1 series has been designed with groundbreaking new optical and electronic technology innovations to provide unprecedented system quality and flexibility.

A1R’s hybrid scanner for ultrahigh-speed imaging and photo activation

• Ultrahigh-speed imaging at 420 fps

The A1R incorporates a resonant scanner with a resonance frequency of 7.8 kHz and allows high-speed imaging at 420 fps (512 x 32 pixels). Moreover, the field of view of the scanned area is approximately five times larger than that of the non-resonant scanner. The Nikon original optical clock generation method realizes high image quality even at the highest speed. The fiber-optic communication data transfer system can transfer data at a maximum of four giga bps.

• High-speed photo activation imaging

Because a non-resonant scanner and a resonant scanner are incorporated in one unit, photo activation and fluorescence imaging can be conducted simultaneously without a separate laser unit for photo activation. With a resonant scanner that can capture images at high speed, acquisition of rapid changes after photo activation is possible.

What is a hybrid scanner?

This mechanism allows flexible switching or simultaneous use of two galvano scanners (resonant and non-resonant) with high-speed hyper selector.

• Accurate spectral unmixing

Actin of HeLa cell expressing H2B-YFP was stained with Phalloidin-Alexa488.

Spectral image in the 500-692 nm range captured with 488 nm laser excitation

Left: Spectral image, Right: Unmixed image (green: Alexa488, red: YFP)

Specimen courtesy of: Dr. Yoshihiro Yoneda and Dr. Takuya Saiwaki, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University

Filter-less intensity adjustment is possible with V-filtering function

Desired spectral ranges that match the spectrum of the fluorescence probe in use can be selected from 32 channels and combined to perform the filtering function. By specifying the most appropriate wavelength range, image acquisition with the optimal intensity of each probe is possible in FRET and colocalization. Up to four wavelength ranges can be simultaneously selected. The sensitivity of each range can be individually adjusted, which supports applications using various probe combinations.

Increased light detection efficiency realizes high image quality

Dichroic mirrors in the scanning head employ the low-angle incidence method realizing a 30% increase in fluorescence efficiency. This allows brighter images and reduces laser exposure intensity, minimizing damage to cells.

VAAS pinhole unit for bright, clear images

Nikon has developed an original confocal microscopy VAAS (Virtual Adaptable Aperture System, option) that can eliminate flare while retaining image brightness. Because of the deconvolution of the light that passes through the pinhole and the light that does not pass through the pinhole, acquisition of brighter images with less flare is possible. Different sectionings (slice thicknesses) can also be simulated after image acquisition.

NIS-Elements C—dedicated software with increased flexibility and ease of use

For diverse confocal microscope applications, Nikon provides easy-to-use software based on Nikon’s leading imaging software NIS-Elements.

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