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Chapter 5 –
Modes of Operation
5.2.2
Access to the Specimen without Deactivating the FRAP System
For some applications it is necessary to manipulate the specimen during an experiment. In
User mode
,
however, the laser safety stage cover has to be in place; otherwise the FRAP system is deactivated
because all laser safety shutters remain closed.
Setting the system to
Maintenance mode
by authorized and trained personnel allows removing the
laser safety stage cover to gain access to the specimen without causing the laser safety shutters to
close automatically. Thus, lifting the laser safety stage cover might cause exposure to laser irradiation if
the high-speed shutter of any laser system is open.
Check the position of the laser beam through the translucent laser safety stage cover
insert. Be sure to wear adequate laser protection before opening the lid and make sure all
high-speed laser shutters are closed. Shield the specimen with a sheet of paper before
opening a high-speed laser shutter to make sure that the laser beam does not exit the
objective in an unexpected direction.
5.2.3
Observing the Specimen Through the Ocular
Authorized and trained personnel can observe the specimen in
Maintenance mode
via the ocular
when taking the safety precautions into account.
Before observation via the ocular, make sure to have an adequate filter cube that
quantitatively blocks the laser light inserted into the light path! The use of an inadequate or
damaged dichroic mirror or emission filter can lead to intense, hazardous laser light exiting
the ocular. This laser light can irreversibly damage your eyes!
Never
change optical elements (filter, dichroic mirror, objective etc.) while observing the
specimen by eye. The switch of optical elements can lead to reflections of laser light into
the ocular.
1.
Activate the
Maintenance mode
by turning the key on the LAS-MC laser manual control to
the
MAINTENANCE
position.
2.
Open the ocular shutter by pulling the slider out all the way. The laser safety shutter will close
automatically.