02/2010
17
Scanning an image
Setting the parameters for scanning
•
Select the
Acquisition Mode
tool from the
Left Tool Area
(Fig. 20).
•
Select the
Frame Size
as predefined number of pixels or enter your own values (e.g. 300 x 600) in the
Acquisition Mode
tool. Click on the
Optimal
button for calculation of appropriate number of pixels
depending on objective N.A. and
λ
.
The number of pixels influences the image resolution!
Adjusting scan speed
•
Use the
Scan Speed
slider in the
Acquisition Mode
tool (Fig. 20) to adjust the scan speed.
A higher speed with averaging results in the best signal-to-noise ratio. Scan speed 8 usually produces
good results. Use speed 6 or 7 for superior images.
Choosing the dynamic range
•
Select the dynamic range 8 or 12 Bit (per pixel) in the
Bit Depth
pull-down in the
Acquisition Mode
tool (Fig. 20).
8 Bit will give 256 gray levels; 12 Bit will give 4096 gray levels. Publication quality images should be
acquired using 12 Bit data depth. 12 Bit is also recommended when doing quantitative measurements or
when imaging low fluorescence intensities.
→
Fig. 20
Acquisition Mode tool