Home | SLN

Welcome to the SLN lab
Multimodal microscopes
All in one toolbox for multimodal imaging and optomanipulation
Super-resolution imaging
Full access to the subdiffraction details of life
Light-sheet fluorescent microscopy
Fast and gentle in-vivo volumetric imaging
Raman microscopy
Molecular fingerprint of label free biological samples

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ABOUT US

What is the SLN ?

The Super resolution Light microscopy and Nanoscopy (SLN) facility is equipped with cutting edge microscopy techniques. We perform continuous development to constantly improve the specifications of our microscopes to provide unique features.

We collaborate with industry, hospitals and research centers. Our systems are available to all type of end-users. We provide training through short and mid-term hands-on courses which can be tailored to accommodate any user needs and backgrounds.

The research programs at the SLN cover a wide range of applications including the visualization of subcellular components, cells, tissues, organs and model organisms.

ICFO

Explore more in the Institute of Photonic Sciences page.

EQUIPMENT

Leica TCS SP8 STED 3X-FALCON

The Leica TCS SP8 STED 3X-FALCON is based on the TCS SP8 confocal microscope. The STED 3X module allows 3D super-resolution capabilities in 3 optical bands due to its 3 depletion lasers. The FALCON (FAst Lifetime CONtrast) is a fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) platform fully integrated in the confocal microscope that can deliver video-rate FLIM with pixel-by-pixel quantification.

The single molecule detector (SMD HyD) provide a high detection efficiency. Resonant scanners provide fast scanning capabilities up to video-rate at 512×512 pixels. The system includes a white light laser source as well as a 405 nm semiconductor laser. Live imaging is possible due to controlled environmental conditions.

Techniques: STED 3D and 3 colours, Confocal, FLIM, Full-hyper spectral (6D) laser scanning confocal.

Microscope objectives: 10x, 63x and 100x

Excitation wavelengths:

white light laser: 470-670 nm
Semiconductor: 405 nm
8 simultaneous excitation laser lines
STED lasers: 592nm, 660nm, 775nm

Detectors:

2 Backwards HyD’s
1 Forward PMT
2 Backwards PMT’s

Scanning mirrors:

Galvanometric
Resonant

Leica TCS SP5 STED CW

The Leica TCS SP5 STED CW system is based on the Leica TCS SP5 confocal system. It includes the STED CW module. The HyD detectors operate in photon counting mode providing high sensitivity and detection capabilities.

Resonant scanners provide fast scanning capabilities up to videorate at 512×512 pixels. The system is coupled to a MIRA 900F Ti:Sapp. fs laser source for multi photon imaging. Live imaging is possible due to controlled environmental conditions.

Techniques: STED CW, Confocal, hyper spectral (5D) laser scanning confocal microscopy, TPEF

Microscope objectives: 10x, 20x, 40x, 63x and 100x

Excitation wavelengths:

STED laser: 592nm
Argon laser: 458, 476, 488, 496, 514 nm
HeNe laser: 543, 633 nm
Ti:Sapphire laser: 750-850nm, pulses duration: 120fs, repetition rate 76MHz

Detectors:

2 Backwards HyD’s
1 Forward PMT
3 Backwards PMT’s
2 Backwards APD’s

Scanning mirrors:

Galvanometric
Resonant

Multimodal Nikon microscope

This is a multimodal workstation built on top of a commercial inverted microscope. This system contains an external scanning head where different femtosecond lasers are coupled.

This allows the simultaneous implementation of multiphoton imaging techniques such as TPEF, SHG, PSHG, THG, for each excitation laser.

Techniques: WF, CLSM, HSCLSM, TPEF, SHG, PSHG, THG, Femtosecod nanosurgery.

Microscope objectives:

for confocal/multiphoton: 2x, 10x, 20x, 40x, 60x and 100x
specialized for multiphoton (water inmmersion): Olympus 25x , 1.05 NA and Nikon 25x, 1.10 NA

Excitation wavelengths:

Diode lasers 405, 561, 635nm
Ti:sapphire 750-850nm
Femtosecond pulsed fiber laser 1030nm
Femtosecond pulsed fiber laser 1550nm

Detectors:

1 Forward multiphoton PMT, Large area IR Photodiode, Vis. photodiode
2 Backwards multiphoton PMT’s

Scanning mirrors:

Galvanometric

Renishaw Raman inVia spectrometer system

This is a confocal InVia Renishaw Raman microscope that includes two excitation lasers: 785nm and 532nm.

The system is fully automatized and allows automatic switching of the excitation light and laser power adjustment. It also includes the capability of quick calibration and auto-alignment for optimal acquisition.

Optically, it supports a variety of advanced techniques, including Confocal Raman spectroscopy for detailed sample analysis, Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) for heightened sensitivity, and StreamLine and StreamHR configurations for faster Raman mapping.

The motorized sample stage and the widefield camera allows micrometric sample inspection and spatial precision for measurements.

Techniques:

Confocal Raman spectroscopy.
Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS).
StreamLine and StreamHR configurations.

Analytical algorithms:

Software Wire contains a long list of algorithms for: cosmic ray removal, background subtraction, curve fitting, spectral unmixing, molecule identification, clustering, and the possibility of building your own Raman spectra library, among others.

Microscope objectives:

Set of air parfocal objectives: 5x, 20x long working distance, 20x, 50x and 100x (easily interchangeable while keeping the focus).
Other objectives upon request (e.g. 60x water immersion)

Excitation wavelengths:

785nm 300mW
532nm 25mW

Multimodal Digital Scanned Light Sheet Microscopy (mDSLM)

The multimodal SPIM/DSLM system is a custom-made microscope designed to explore large microscopic 3D samples such as organoids or small embryos.

It is highly versatile for addressing diverse biological questions thanks to its modular fashion. This modular microscope allows keeping a controlled physiological environment that enables recording the fast biological dynamics in 3D.

Excitation modalities: Linear and non-linear fluorescence

Techniques: TPEF, Multimodal Digital Scanned Light Sheet Microscopy, Confocal Line Scan.

Microscope objectives:

for excitation: 10X, 0.3 NA and 10X, 0.45 NA
for collection (water inmmersion): 20X, 0.5 NA and 25X, 1.05 NA

Excitation wavelengths:

Diode lasers 405nm, 488nm, 638nm
DPSS laser 532nm, 651nm
Femtosecond laser 750-850nm, 1030nm, 1550nm

Detectors:

Hamamatsu Orca Flash 4

N-STORM

The Nikon N-STORM system is based in a TIRF configuration with 4 colors laser bench.

The focusing position stability is given by the Perfect Focus System and it is fully motorized. Multicolor Single Molecule Localization acquisitions can be obtained by using the high sensitivity of the EMCCD and 3D Localization is obtained by introducing the cylindrical lens.

Techniques: STORM, PALM, SPT, dSTORM,

Microscope objectives: 10x, 40x, 60x and 100x

Excitation wavelengths: 405, 488, 561, 647 nm

Camera: EMCCD IXON 897

Abberior STED microscope

Our Abberior STED microscope is based on the INFINITY platform, which is built around an Olympus IX83 microscope. The system is equipped with four pulsed lasers as well as a CW 405nm laser. Moreover, the STED module has two STED depletion lasers. The detection units are based on avalanche photodiodes (APDs) and we have the MATRIX detector upgrade, which consists on a hexagonal arrangement of avalanche photodiodes (APDs) enabling a higher signal-to-background.

Techniques: STED 3D, Confocal, FLIM

Microscope objectives: 10x, 40x and 60x

Excitation wavelengths:

CW fluorescence excitation laser: 405nm
Pulsed fluorescence excitation laser: 485nm, 518nm, 561nm, 640 nm
STED lasers: 595nm, 775nm

Detectors:

Two-channel spectral detection unit (APDs)
Additional spectral detection unit including ultra-high sensitivity FLIM optimized APD
MATRIX detector upgrade for one APD channel

Scanning mirrors: