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titleFrançais
typeprimary
urlZeiss Z1 Colibri



Tabs Container
idInstrument Tabs
titleZeiss Axio-Observer Z1
directionhorizontal


Tabs Page
idDescription
titleDescription

Zeiss Axio-Observer Z1 Colibri inverted microscope

Desmarais Building, Room 2234
Simple Microscope usage price

Instrument awarded to Dr. Audrey Claing and Dr. Jean-Philippe Gratton by the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI)

  • Applications
    • Bright-field
    • Phase contrast
    • Fluorescence
  • Light sources

    • LED lamp for transmitted light

    • Colibri 7 (385/469/555-590/631) for fluorescence

      Expand
      titleFull specifications of the Zeiss Colibri 7 light source

      Emission peak (nm)

      Power (mW)
      385/30150
      469/38110
      555/3031
      631/3350

      Information Zeiss Colibri 7


  • Objectives

    1. 2.5x/0.075 Air

    2. 10x/0.25 Air Ph1
    3. 20x/0.5 Air Ph2
    4. 40x/0.75 Air Ph2

    5. 63x/0.75 Air Ph2 Long Distance
    6. 63x/1.4 Oil
      Expand
      titleObjectives complete specifications


      PositionNameBrandFull nameIDMagnificationNumerical ApertureImmersionTypeWorking distance (mm)Transmittance
      (% [nm])
      TechniqueCover glass thickness (mm)
      12.5x/0.075 AirZeiss2.5x/0.075
      EC Plan-Neofluar
      M27
      420320-9901-0002.5x0.075AirPlan Neofluar9.5>80% [400-840]BF, Fluo0.17
      210x/0.25 AirZeiss10x/0.25 Ph1
      N-Achroplan
      M27 
      420941-9911-00010x0.25AirN-AchroPlan

      6.5

      Not availableBF, PhC, Fluo0.17
      320x/0.5 AirZeiss20x/0.50 Ph2
      EC Plan-Neofluar
      M27

      420351-9910-000

      20x0.50AirPlan Neofluar2.0Not AvailableBF, PhC, Fluo0.17
      4

      40x/0.75

      Zeiss40x/0.75 Ph2
      EC Plan-Neofluar
      M27

      420361-9910-000

      40x

      0.75

      Air

      Plan Neofluar0.71Not AvailableBF, PhC, Fluo

      0.17

      563x/0.75Zeiss

      63x/0.75 Corr Ph2
      LD Plan-Neofluar
      M27

      421381-9970-000

      63x

      0.75

      AirLD Plan-Neofluar1.7 at cover glass 0.75 Not AvailableBF, PhC, Fluo

      0 - 1.5

      663x/1.4Zeiss63x/1.4 DIC
       Plan-Apochromat Oil M27
      420782-9900-00063x1.4OilPlan Apochromat0.19>80% [400-700]BF, Fluo0.17


  • Filter cubes
    1. DAPI
    2. GFP
    3. Rhodamine
    4. DHE (dihydroethidium)
    5. Cy5
    6. Quadruple DAPI/GFP/Cy3/Cy5
      Expand
      titleFilters complete specifications


      PositionNameBrandIDExcitation filterDichroic mirrorEmission filterComments
      1DAPI
      Filter Set 49
      Zeiss

      488049-9901

      365/50
      [325-375]
      395LP445/50
      [420-470]

      2GFP
      Filter Set 13
      Zeiss488013-0000

      470/20
      [460-480]

      495LP

      517/25
      [505-530]

      3DsRed
      Filter Set 43
      Zeiss

      000000-1114-101

      545/25
      [533-567]
      570LP605/70
      [570-640]

      4DHECustom

      Custom

      500/50
      [475-525]

      540LP580/20
      [570-590]
      Undefined specifications
      Best guess values
      5Cy5
      Filter Set 50
      Zeiss488050-9901640/30
      [625-655]
      660LP

      690/50
      [665-715]


      6Quadruple
      DAPI/GFP/Cy3/Cy5
      FS90 HE LED
      Zeiss489090-9110-000


      QBS 405 + 493 + 575 + 653

      QBP 425/30+514/30+592/25+709/100

      Excitation filters included in the light source FS90 HE LED
  • Detector
    • Zeiss AxioCam MR R3 CCD Camera 1388 x 1040 pixels, 12-bit, 13 images/s at full resolution, detector size 8.9 mm x 6.7 mm
Tabs Page
idUser Guide
titleUser Guide
  • When using for the first time, it is necessary to
  • import
  • import the microscope-specific parameters BEFORE starting the software. See the First Use section below.
  • Start
  • the Zen software
  • Zen
  • UI Expand
    expandedtrue
    titleStartup
    1. If not already done, turn on the computer (#1) and use your UdeM credentials to log in to Windows
    2. Remove the dust cover from the microscope
    3. Turn on the

    4. computer
    5. System (

    6. #1)
    7. #2) and Components (#3) switches in the rack below microscope

    8. Turn on the laser key (#4) in the rack below the microscope

    9. If necessary, turn on the power bar for the incubation module (#2A) and open the CO2 cylinder (#2B)
    10. Turn on the power bar at the left of the computer monitor (#3)

    11. Log in Windows using your UdeM credentials
    Note


    UI Expand
    titleFirst Use

    When using for the first time, it is necessary to import the microscope-specific parameters into the software. This procedure is usually carried out during the training session.However, it is also possible to use it to reset the software if it is not displayed correctly, for example.

    Note

    Please note, this procedure will delete all your experiment protocols and restore the software to its original settings.

    1. If open, close
    2. Zen 
    3. Zen and wait for it to close completely (up to 30 seconds)
    4. On the Desktop open the
    5. Documentation folder
    6. Softwares folder
    7. Double-click Zen Settings for Axio-Osberver Z1-Colibri
    8. A script will run and a black window will appear briefly
    9. Click OK to close the
    10. message 
    11. message Settings for Zen have been imported successfully.
    12. You can then
    13. reopen Zen 
    14. open Zen
    UI Expand
    titleLoading samples

    This procedure puts the microscope in a safe configuration and performs a calibration. At the end of this procedure the microscope will be ready for acquisition.

    UI Expand
    titleCalibration

    This step is required to calibrate the microscope in XY and Z. Doing a calibration will save you a lot of time to find your focus on your sample.

    UI Expand
    titleCalibration within the Zen Software

    On the microscope touch screen:

    1. If not already done, press Home>Microscope>Control>Objectives>2.5x to select a safe objective

    In Zen:

    1. Once Zen software is started a popup dialog should show up, just click Calibrate Now
    2. The microscope will lower the objectives perform a XY calibration and then a Z calibration
    3. Once calibrated, the focus can be found at Z = 1.1 mm for a microscope slide). The Z value can be found on the microscope touch screen Home>Z-Position


    If the calibration popup dialog did not show up you at Zen opening, you can do it manually:

    Select the Stage window (on the right of Zen window) and click Calibrate

    A warning message will show up click Continue

    The microscope will lower the objectives perform a XY calibration

    Then in the Focus Window on the right of Zen window) and click Calibrate

    A warning message will show up click Continue

    The microscope will lower the objectives perform a Z calibration

     Done.

    nce calibrated, the focus can be found at Z = 1.1 mm for a microscope slide). The Z value can be found on the microscope touch screen Home>Z-Position

    UI Expand
    titleCalibration with the touch screen

    On the microscope touch screen:

    1. If not already done, Press Home>Load Position to lower the objectives to the lowest position
    2. Press Set Work Position to store this position
    3. If necessary, move the focus slightly up to remove the Lower Z limit reached message displayed on the touchscreen
    4. If not already done, press Home>Microscope>Control>Objectives>5x to select the 5x objective
    5. If asked, tap Done to remove the oil lens cleaning warning
    6. Press Home>Microscope>XYZ>Position>Z-Position>Set zero>Auto to perform focus calibration
    7. Press OK to start the calibration procedure
    8. Wait a few seconds for the calibration to be completed
    9. Press Home>Microscope>XYZ>Position>XY-Position>Set zero>Auto to perform a stage calibration
    10. Press OK to start the calibration procedure
    11. Wait a few seconds for the calibration to be completed
    Note

    Once calibrated, the focus can be found at Z = 1.7 mm). The Z value can be found on the microscope touch screen Home>Z-Position

    UI Expand
    titleFirst focus
    Warning
    titleImportant

    Make sure to calibrate the focus before performing the first focus.

    On the microscope touch screen:

    1. If not already done, press Home>Microscope>Turret>Objectives>5x to select the 5x objective
      Info

      The 5x objective is the safest because it has the longest working distance (12mm). The sample will appear perfectly sharp long before the lens approaches it. It is recommended to always first focus with the safest lens. The objectives are parafocal, focusing with the safest objective will then allow you to easily find your sample with another objective. The 10x objective is also safe because its working distance is 6.5 mm.

    2. If not done already, press Home>Load Position to lower the objective to the lowest position and press Set Work Position to store this position
    3. If necessary, move the focus slightly up to remove the Lower Z limit reached message displayed on the touchscreen
    4. Place the test slide on the microscope stage with the coverslip toward the objective
      Note
      titleImportant

      Always use the test slide to perform the first focus.

    5. If necessary, move the stage so that the sample is centered on the objective

    On the computer:

    1. Open Zen
    2. In the Locate tab, select BF or the desired fluorescence (DAPI, GFP, mPlum) to activate the configuration
    3. Adjust the focus with the main dial while looking through the eyepieces until the image is perfectly sharp

      Note

      Once calibrated, the focus can be found at Z = 1.7 mm). The Z value can be found on the microscope touch screen Home>Z-Position


    4. In the Locate tab, select Off to turn off the illumination
    UI Expand
    titleSeconday focus
    Warning
    titleImportant

    First focus with the safest objective before selecting another lens and continuing with secondary focus.

    UI Expand
    titleFocusing with air objectives

    After performing the first focus, on the microscope touch screen:

    1. Press Home>Microscope>Control>Objectives, press 10x, 20x or 40x to select the desired objective
      Info
      The 40x objective is the best Air objective because it has the greatest number of optical corrections (Plan Apochromat) and the largest numerical aperture (0.95) but has a smaller field of view.
      The 20x/0.8 objective offers the best compromise between Resolution and Field of View
      Note

      There are two (2) 40x objectives, make sure you select the Air 40x


    In Zen :

    1. In the Locate tab, select BF or the desired fluorescence (DAPI, GFP, mPlum) to activate the configuration
    2. Adjust the focus with the precision dial while looking through the eyepieces until the image is perfectly sharp
    3. In the Locate tab, select Off to turn the illumination off
    4. Your sample is ready for acquisition!


    UI Expand
    titleFocusing with oil objectives

    After performing the first focus, on the microscope touch screen:

    1. Press Home>Microscope>Turret>Objectives
    2. Press 63x Oil, 40x Oil to select the desired objective. The microscope will automatically lower the stage so that the sample is accessible.

      Info

      The 40x and 63x oil objectives provide the same spatial resolution because they have the same numerical aperture (1.4).
      The 40x oil objective offers a larger field of view and transmits light slightly better beyond 700nm.
      The 63x oil objective transmits light slightly better in the visible spectrum (440-710 nm) and has a better Strehl ratio (90%). It is particularly suited for super-resolution imaging, but its field of view is smaller.

      Note

      There are two (2) 40x objectives, make sure you select the 40x Oil


    3. Place a single drop of oil on the objective
    4. Press Done. The microscope will automatically return the objective to its original position

    In Zen :

    1. In the Locate tab, select BF or the desired fluorescence (DAPI, GFP, mPlum) to activate the configuration
    2. Adjust the focus with the precision dial while looking through the eyepieces until the image is perfectly sharp
    3. In the Locate tab, select Off to turn the illumination off
    4. Your sample is ready for acquisition!
    UI Expand
    titleLoading samples

    This procedure puts the microscope in a safe configuration and performs a focus calibration. At the end of this procedure the microscope will be ready for acquisition.

    UI Expand
    titleFocus Calibration Z

    On the microscope touch screen:

    1. Press Home>Load Position to lower the objectives to its lowest position
    2. Press Set Work Position to store this position
    3. If necessary, move the focus slightly up to remove the Lower Z limit reached message displayed on the touchscreen
    4. Press Home>Microscope>Control>Objectives>2.5x to select the 2.5x objective
    5. If asked, tap Done to remove the oil lens cleaning warning
    6. Press Home>Microscope>XYZ>Position>Z-Position>Set zero>Auto to perform focus calibration
    7. Press OK to start the focus calibration procedure
    8. Wait a few seconds for the calibration to be completed
    Note

    Once calibrated, the focus can be found at Z = 1.1 mm). The Z value can be found on the microscope touch screen Home>Z-Position

    UI Expand
    titleFirst focus
    Warning
    titleImportant

    Make sure to calibrate the focus before performing the first focus.

    On the microscope touch screen:

    1. Press Home>Microscope>Turret>Objectives
    2. Press 2.5x to select the 2.5x lens
      Info

      The 2.5x objective is the safest because it has the longest working distance (9 mm). The sample will appear perfectly sharp long before the lens approaches it. It is recommended to always first focus with the safest lens. The objectives are para-focal, focusing with the safest objective will then allow you to easily find your sample with another objective.

    3. Press Home>Load Position to lower the objectives to its lowest position
    4. Press Set Work Position to store this position
    5. If necessary, move the focus slightly up to remove the Lower Z limit reached message displayed on the touchscreen
    6. Place the test slide on the microscope stage with the coverslip toward the objective
      Note
      titleImportant

      Always use the test slide to perform the first focus.

    7. If necessary, move the stage so that the sample is centered on the objective

    On the computer:

    1. Open Zen
    2. In the Locate tab, select BF or the desired fluorescence (DAPI, GFP, Rhodamine, etc…) to activate the configuration
    3. Adjust the focus with the main dial while looking through the eyepieces until the image is perfectly sharp

      Note

      Once calibrated, the focus can be found at Z =  1.1mm). The Z value can be found on the microscope touch screen Home>Z-Position


    4. In the Locate tab, select Off to turn off the illumination


    UI Expand
    titleSecondary focus
    Warning
    titleImportant

    First focus with the safest lens before selecting another lens and continuing with secondary focus.


    UI Expand
    titleFocusing with air objectives

    After performing the first focus, on the microscope touch screen:

    1. Press Home>Microscope>Control>Objectives
    2. Press 20x or 40x or 63x to select the desired lens

      Info

      The 40x objective is the best Air objective because it has the largest numerical aperture (0.75).


    3. Adjust the focus with the precision dial while looking through the eyepieces until the image is perfectly sharp
    4. Your sample is ready for acquisition!


    UI Expand
    titleFocusing with oil lenses

    After performing the first focus, on the microscope touch screen:

    1. Press Home>Microscope>Control>Objectives
    2. Press 63x Oil. The microscope will automatically lower the objective so that the sample is accessible

    3. Place a drop of oil on your sample
    4. Press Done. The microscope will automatically return the sample to its original position

    In Zen:

    1. In the Locate tab, select BF or the desired fluorescence (DAPI, GFP, Rhodamine, etc…) to activate the configuration
    2. Adjust the focus with the precision dial while looking through the eyepieces until the image is perfectly sharp
    3. In the Locate tab, select Off to turn the illumination off
    4. Your sample is ready for acquisition!
    UI Expand
    titleStorage management
    • Files can be saved temporarily (during acquisition) on the local C: drive (desktop)
    • At the end of each session, copy your data to your external drive and delete it from the local C: drive
    • You can store your files on the D: drive (Data Storage). If you do, please create a folder per laboratory using the principal investigator last name. Within, create one folder per user (Firstname_Lastname).
    Note

    In any case, your files should be removed from the C: drive.

    UI Expand
    titleShutdown
    1. Save your data
    2. Close Zen
    3. Transfer your data to the D: drive (Data Storage) or to your external drive and delete it from the local C: drive
    4. If used, turn off the incubation module power strip (#2A) and close the CO2 cylinder (#2B)

    5. Select the 2.5x objective and press load position to bring the objectives to the bottom position

    6. Turn off the microscope power bar (#3)

    7. Turn off the computer
    8. Cover the instrument with the protective dust cover
    Note
    titleImportant Reminders
    • Take back your samples including ones in the microscope
    • Leave the microscope and the working area clean
    Tabs Page
    idLightpath
    titleLightpath


    The following schematics depict the light path for transmitted (bright-field and Phase Contrast) and reflected (fluorescence) lights.

    View file
    nameZeiss_Z1-Colibri_LightPath.pdf
    height250


    Tabs Page
    idManuals
    titleManuals

    Available manuals


    Tabs Page
    idLog
    titleLog

    UI Expand
    title2024-02-22 Microscope Firmware update
    • Microscope Firmware update to add Colibri to the touchscreen
    • Zen 3.5 HotFix 10
    UI Expand
    title2022-05-09
    • Computer replacement
    • Added Colibri
    • Added startup procedure
    • Parafocality and paracentrality
    UI Expand
    title2022-03-17
    • Added complete description
    UI Expand
    title2021-09-27
    • Added to wiki
    Tabs Page
    idTechnical Datasheet
    titleTechnical Datasheet

    Stand

    • Zeiss Axio-Observer Z1 inverted  Serial: 3851001242 Part Number: 431007-9902-000
      System ID: 1024979772
    • Camera adapter Model 60N-C, 1", 1x, Model: 426114

    Light sources

    • Transmitted LED light
    • Colibri 7 R(G/Y)B-UV 423052-9730-000 Serial 5440000661

    Condenser

    • Manual condenser Product number: TBD, Serial: TBD
    • Lens NA 0.35 WD 70 mm Part Number: 424241

    • Filter turret 6 positions manual

      1. H

      2. Ph0
      3. Ph1

      4. Ph2

      5. DIC

      6. DUC

    Objectives

    1. 2.5x/0.075 Air 420320-9901-000

    2. 10x/0.25 Air Ph1 420941-9911-000

    3. 20x/0.5 Air Ph2 420351-9910-000

    4. 40x/0.75 Air Ph2 420361-9910-000

    5. 63x/0.75 Air Ph2 Long Distance 421381-9970-000

    6. 63x/1.4 Oil 420782-9900-000

    Stage

    • Motorized stage Marzhauser Sensotech, Part number 432903-9011-000, #14 07 132052; 90-76-200-0820
    • Remote control joystick
    • Inserts
      • Slide combo
      • 6-well plate
      • 35 mm dish
      • Multi-well plat

    Filters

    1. DAPI Filter Set 49 488049-9901
    2. GFP Filter Set 13 488013-0000
    3. Rhodamine Filter Set 43 000000-1114-101
    4. DHE (dihydroethidium) 424931
    5. Cy5 Filter Set 50 488050-9901
    6. Multiband FS90 HE LED 489090-9110-000

    Detector

    • Zeiss AxioCam MR R3 Model: r3.1 Part Number: 426509-9901-000. Serial: 1 22 12 5537

    Workstation

    • Fujitsu Esprimo P920 E90+
    • Intel Core i5-4670 @ 3.4 GHz
    • RAM 32 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ECC (4 x 8 GB)
    • OS 500 GB SSD 550 MB/s
    • 2 TB HD Data Storage (2 x 1 TB spanned volume) 110 MB/s
    • Video Card AMD FirePro V4900 1 GB DDR5 dedicated memory
    • Monitor LG Flatron E2711 27' 1920 x 1080
    • Software Zen Blue 3.5 SN=1121159628-524292 HASP=1798977001

    Incubation

    • Pecon stage top incubation

    Consumables

    • CO2 Tank
    • N2 Tank
    • Oil
    • Lens Cleaner


    Tabs Page
    idFAQ
    titleTroubleshooting & FAQ

    Troubleshooting

    UI Expand
    titleI see a high background in fluorescence

    The fluoresncece light source is a Colibri while the transmitted light is a LED. What happens is that the fluorescence illumination reflects and into the LED and give a high background. To solve this:

    • Tilt the transmitted light arm backward
      or
    • Stop the light from entering the transmitted LED by using a cardboard

    FAQ

    UI Expand
    titleCan I use this microscope to look at cell in a dish?
    • Yes. This is an inverted microscope designed to look at specimen in a dish or a multi-well plate
    • The objectives are optimized to image through thin glass bottom multi-well plates
    • You may also image specimen mounted between a slide and a 0.17mm thick coverslip
    • For long timelapse, be aware of photo-toxicity
    UI Expand
    titleCan I use this microscope to perform timelapse experiments?
    • Yes, but... This microscope has an incubation module to maintain temperature, humidity and gas. Yet it does not have a Definite focus which can maintain focus throughout time. Therefore, it is possible to loose the focus over long period.


    Tabs Container
    idZeiss Z1 Colibri
    titleZeiss Z1 Colibri
    directionhorizontal


    Tabs Page
    idZeiss Z1 Colibri
    titleZeiss Z1 Colibri

    Zeiss Z1 Colibri




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