I am looking into buying an optical table for high-resolution confocal microscopy and patch-clamp electrophysiology, and I am wondering which brand to go for.
The table should be around 1.2m x 1.8m with active self-leveling isolators. I have previously worked on Newport and TMC tables, without major issues, but I see that e.g. Thorlabs produce the Nexus range that is rather attractive price wise. Does anyone have any experience with the Thorlabs tables, in particular any bad experience?
Thanks, Jan
Newport is an excellent quality and surety, Thorlabs have also good quality and I think sufient lot for your applicatiopn and uses.
Best regards,
Eusebio Bernabeu, Optics Emeritus Professor from UCM
The granite table is good to interferometric o photonic devices where long stability is requiered during large time periods, but for image arrangements, the optical tables (Newport, Thorlabs, etc) are excellent. See for exemple, their use in holography, where they are profusely used. The images requeriments are the shor time stability.
Best regards,
Eusebio
Thank you both for the answers.
I have previously tried to (unintentionally) work on self-levelling tables that where not floating as the air pressure was off, and that would give devastating vibration noise in the images, so I am looking for a conventional air-suspended, actively self-levelling option.
Jan
You used to use a 'smart' optical table from Newport back in your Bordeaux days :-) They come in all sizes.
But active tables, e.g. from https://www.accurion.com/active-vibration-isolation-products, which dampen out more and over a wider spectrum, could be interesting for you depending on your room environment and stability requirements. They are slightly more expensive but more ergonomic.
It is possible explore a US firm: EDMUNDS. This company have interesting prices in some products, included optical tables.
Best regards,
Eusebio
Hi, Valentin
When are you coming back to Buenos Aires?
Alles gutte!
Francisco
Hi, Jan
I have a couple of brand names. But I would strongly recommend TMC. The big isolation tables of the 63-500 series are particularly good for electrophysiology/imaging.
Cheers
Francisco
The ideal is for you to have a knowledge of the type of vibrations in your lab and most importantly their frequency range. You also need to consider the weight of you imaging system. Then you can make a choice based on the table specifications. Also, make sure it has threading compatible with your microscope and other equipment The microscope manufacturer is the best placed to suggest a compatible table.
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