Chapter 1: Introduction
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Computer Integration
Each Molecular Devices microplate reader is shipped with a license key for the SoftMax®
Pro Data Acquisition and Analysis Software that you install on the computer that you use
to operate the instrument. The SoftMax Pro Software provides integrated instrument
control, data display, and statistical data analysis.
You should install the SoftMax Pro Software on the computer before you set up the
instrument. Please be aware that some updates to the SoftMax Pro Software require a
purchase. Contact Molecular Devices before you update the software. To download the
latest version of the software, visit:
Note:
For information about the computer specifications that are required to run
the software, the software installation and licensing instructions, and the
directions to create the software connection between the computer and the
instrument, see the
SoftMax Pro Data Acquisition and Analysis Software
Installation Guide
.
To prevent data loss, turn off all sleep and hibernation settings for the hard disk, the CPU,
and the USB ports. Disable automatic Windows updates. Update Windows manually
when you do not use the computer to control an instrument. You can set these options
in Windows Control Panel.
PMT Technology
The instrument uses high-sensitivity, low-noise PMTs to detect emitted luminescence.
PMTs convert incident photons into electrons through the photoelectric effect. When an
incident photon impinges on the active surface of the PMT (the photocathode), an
electron is generated. The electron flows through a series of electron multipliers
(dynodes) to the anode. The amount of current that flows from the anode is directly
proportional to the number of photons at the photocathode.
The amount of amplification that a PMT can produce depends on the number of dynodes
in the PMT, and the voltage that is applied to it.
The PMTs in the instrument meet two essential criteria for high-quality detection. First,
since different photocathodes have varying sensitivities to specific wavelengths of light
(quantum efficiency), the PMTs have been optimized for the typical wavelengths of
luminescent emission light. Second, the PMTs have exceptional reliability and optimal
signal-to-noise performance.
