<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">Dear All,<div><br></div><div>There has been a little confusion following Benny's email about "not turning off the microscopes randomly". <b> This relates to the DeltaVisions</b>; those of you using the confocals, MPs, TIRFs etc should carry on as normal. To clarify what you need to do on a DeltaVision:</div><div><br></div><div><b>There is a rack of equipment on every DeltaVision</b> that houses an </div><div><br></div><div>- Instrument Controller (the box with the circular, green button)</div><div>- A softworx workstation (the one you log in to when you start your session)</div><div>- A power strip (the thin metal box with the red switch on it)</div><div>- A QLM (on some microscopes, there is, additionally, this QLM laser box at the bottom of the rack)</div><div><br></div><div>At the end of a session you are required to move and delete your data from the SoftWorx workstation, fill the lamp hours in the log book and log out. If you are the last user (which you can check on the online calendar), you are also required to turn off the Instrument Controller (by pressing the green button once) and, once it has shut down, turn off the power strip. If you are not using the laser module, don't turn it on. If you have used the laser module, make sure you turn it off.</div><div><br></div><div><b>The SoftWorx workstation should never be turned off. </b> This is what Benny was referring to when he asked people not to randomly turn off microscopes.</div><div><br></div><div>It's worth noting that the order of these boxes is different on the LMF DV3 - the Instrument Controller and SoftWorx workstation are not in the same order on the rack and it is therefore more likely that you'll turn off the SoftWorx workstation by mistake (I've done it - it's an easy mistake). So, please do take a moment to familiarise yourself with what these various bits are on whichever microscope you're using. <b> If you're in any doubt, don't be shy about asking me, Calum or Markus for a reminder.</b></div><div><br></div><div>Finally - while I've got your attention - could I also remind everybody that if you do DIC, anything involving the QLM, or use a dichroic mirror other than the quad, you need to:</div><div><br></div><div>- remove the DIC parts and return them to LMF, completing the sign out sheet when you do so</div><div>- return the dichroic mirror to the QUAD position</div><div>- put the laser mirror in the OUT position</div><div><br></div><div>If the next user doesn't notice you've left these bits in, you will be throwing away about 50% of their emitted fluorescence with the DIC parts, throwing away 40% of their excitation light with the laser mirror, and completely messing with the bandwidths of their emitted light by not putting the QUAD back. </div><div><br></div><div>Incidentally, if you're using the microscope and you discover you have very low fluorescent signal, don't always assume you messed your sample up. It could easily be that the microscope was not returned to this standard configuration. There is a list of common faults next to every DeltaVision that you should have been introduced to. If you want a reminder, let us know or, if you sample is dim, you can come and give us a shout and we can confirm whether it is a microscope or sample problem.</div><div><br></div><div>I hope that all makes sense. If not:</div><div><br></div><div>Sam x86412</div><div>Calum x88755</div><div>Markus x 86414</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks for reading,</div><div>Sam and co.</div></body></html>