ELYRA 7
Hardware Aspects
ZEISS
03/2019 V_02
000000-2262-999
15
2.3
Performance and Features of ELYRA
Optical and mechanical aspects
The ELYRA 7 family members have only one illumination / detection unit, the ELYRA 7 module, attached
to the rear port of the microscope.
The ELYRA module is designed for performing single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) and/or
Lattice structured illumination microscopy (Lattice SIM) SMLM. The ELYRA 7 family consists of ELYRA type
L (SMLM only), ELYRA type S (SIM only) and ELYRA types LS and eLS (SMLM and SIM combination).
The highly integrated system design allows combining two super resolution illumination modes, SMLM
and SR-SIM in one module. The ELYRA illumination module can be fitted to an inverted Axio Observer 7
SR microscope at the rear port.
The spectral range available extends from the V to the VIS region.
For the VIS (visible-light), the user can select from up to 3 lasers with wavelengths of 641, 561 and
488 nm. For the V (violet light) a 405 nm laser is available. Coupling of the laser light is through
polarization-preserving single-mode optical fibers. One variable beam collimator provides adaptation of
the respective laser wavelength to the objective used.
Acousto-optical tunable filters (AOTF) adjust the necessary brightness for all 4 laser lines within
microseconds. The 405 laser is in addition equipped with neutral density filters that allow tuning the laser
power further down.
The implemented cameras, the pco.edge CLHS sCMOS camera for Lattice SIM & SMLM and the Andor
iXon 897 Ultra for SMLM, are optimized for the different technologies.
The high-NA Plan Apochromat 63x (NA 1.4),
α
-Plan Apochromat 63x (NA 1.46) and C-Apochromat 63x
(NA 1.2) objectives are especially suited for performing Lattice SIM experiments. The
α
-Plan Apochromat
100x (NA 1.46) and
α
-Plan Apochromat 100x (NA 1.57) HI objectives with their back reflection blocker
have been specifically designed for SMLM applications minimizing scatter light in TIRF mode.
For ELYRA types L, LS and eLS the TIRF mirror is moveable so the optimal TIRF angle for TIRF-illumination
can be set. In ELYRA type S systems, this mirror is in a fixed position for Epi-illumination. ELYRA types S,
LS and eLS systems have 5 grids with different grid constants to adapt laser wavelength, objective and
penetration depth in Lattice SIM illumination. Galvo mirros are used to move the grids laterally.
The field of view (FOV) in SIM is ~ 75 x 75
µ
m (63 x objective, 1.6x Optovar, 1280 x 1280 pixel with a
pitch of 6.45
µ
m) using the pco.edge CLHS sCMOS camera. The FOV in SMLM using the Andor iXon 897
Ultra with 512 x 512 pixel (16
µ
m x 16
µ
m pixel pitch) is ~ 50 x 50
µ
m and can be further reduced
providing higher power densities.