THORLABS Cerna CM501 User manual

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CM501andCM502
Cerna®BirefringenceImaging
Microscopes
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UserGuide
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Cerna®‐Based,BirefringenceImagingMicroscope
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TableofContents
Chapter1  Safety...........................................................................................................................1 
Chapter2  GettingStarted.............................................................................................................2 
2.4.1SampleStageandSampleHolder........................................................................................................................9
2.6.1GeneralSetup....................................................................................................................................................14
2.6.2SystemInstallation............................................................................................................................................15
Chapter3  SystemOperation.......................................................................................................25 
3.4.1MainMenu........................................................................................................................................................30
3.4.2ImagePreviewWindow....................................................................................................................................34
3.4.3CameraControl.................................................................................................................................................35
3.4.4LightSourceControl..........................................................................................................................................36
3.4.5StatusBar..........................................................................................................................................................37
3.4.6MeasurementControl.......................................................................................................................................38
3.4.7MeasurementDataViews.................................................................................................................................40
Chapter4  Applications...............................................................................................................47 
Chapter5  Maintenance..............................................................................................................54 
Chapter6  Specifications.............................................................................................................55 
Chapter7  MechanicalDrawing...................................................................................................57 
Chapter8  TroubleShooting........................................................................................................61 
Chapter9  CE/FCCCertification....................................................................................................62 
Chapter10  WarrantyandRMAInformation.................................................................................64 

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Chapter11ThorlabsWorldwideContacts.....................................................................................65

Cerna®BirefringenceImagingMicroscopeChapter1:Safety
Rev.A,July27,2022 Page1
Chapter1Safety
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Warning:RiskofElectricalShock
Highvoltageinside.Toavoidelectricalshock,beforepoweringup,makesurethatthegroundpin
ofthepowercordiscorrectlyconnectedtothegroundconnectorinthepowersocket.Improper
groundingcancauseelectricshockresultinginsevereinjuryorevendeath.Donotoperate
withoutthecoverinstalled.
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Caution
Exceptforthemainfuse,whichisaccessiblefromtheoutsideofthehousing,CM501/CM502has
nouser‐serviceableparts.Serviceshouldonlybeperformedbytrainedservicepersonnel.
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Caution
Thisunitmustnotbeoperatedinexplosiveenvironments.
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Caution
TransportationanddeliverymaycausetheCM501/CM502tobewarmorcooluponreceipt.
Pleasewaitforthewholedevicetoreachroomtemperaturebeforeattemptingtooperate.
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Caution
Donotoperateinwet/dampconditions.Donotobstructtheairventilationslotsinthehousing.
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Note:ThisequipmenthasbeentestedandfoundtocomplywiththelimitsforaClassBdigitaldevice,pursuantto
part15oftheFCCRules.Theselimitsaredesignedtoprovidereasonableprotectionagainstharmfulinterference
inaresidentialinstallation.Thisequipmentgenerates,usesandcanradiateradiofrequencyenergyand,ifnot
installedandusedinaccordancewiththeinstructions,maycauseharmfulinterferencetoradiocommunications.
However,thereisnoguaranteethatinterferencewillnotoccurinaparticularinstallation.Ifthisequipmentdoes
causeharmfulinterferencetoradioortelevisionreception,whichcanbedeterminedbyturningtheequipment
offandon,theuserisencouragedtotrytocorrecttheinterferencebyoneormoreofthefollowingmeasures:
Reorientorrelocatethereceivingantenna.—Increasetheseparationbetweentheequipmentandreceiver.—
Connecttheequipmentintoanoutletonacircuitdifferentfromthattowhichthereceiverisconnected.—Consult
thedealeroranexperiencedradio/TVtechnicianforhelp.
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Cerna®BirefringenceImagingMicroscopeChapter2:GettingStarted
Page2CTN017763‐D02
Chapter2GettingStarted
Introduction
Thorlabs’CM501/CM502Cerna®basedBirefringenceImagingMicroscopeisparticularlywell‐suitedfor
characterizingstress‐inducedbirefringence,inadditiontomeasuringtheretardanceandazimuthsofflat,planar
samples,suchascrystalsandliquidcrystaldevices,visualizebiologicalcells,likeacottonfiberorhumanhair
follicle.Thesedataareusefulinacademicresearch,medicaldiagnostics,industrialmanufacturing,andproduct
qualityassuranceapplications.
Thorlabs’CM501/CM502BirefringenceImagingMicroscopeisbasedonThorlabs’sflexibleCerna®microscopeand
includesascientific‐gradecameraandanobjectivewith10xmagnification.Systemcontrolisprovidedbyauser‐
friendlyGraphicalUserInterface(GUI).AstandardlaptoporPCthatincludestwoUSBports(USB2.0and3.0)is
requiredtorunthesoftware.Thesystemisdesignedtooperateatawavelengthof633nmandmeasures
retardanceuptoahalf‐wave(316nm),aswellasthecompleteazimuthrangefrom‐90°to+90°.Theoperational
wavelengthcanbecustomizedfrom488nmto780nm.Tocustomizethisoperationalwavelength,please
contactTechSupportat[email protected]formoredetails.
AdiagramofthesystemoperationfortheCM501/CM502microscopesisshownasbelow.AMountedLEDin
combinationwithacollimationlensandnarrowbandFilterprovidea633nmcollimatedlightsourcethatissteered
intotheliquidcrystalmodulebyaTrans‐IlluminationModule.Theliquidcrystalmodulecansetanumberof
differentlinearandcircularinputpolarizations.Thesampleundertestisplacedatthefocalplaneofan
integrated10Xobjective(NikonPlanFluorite,0.3NA).Acircularanalyzerissetatthebackfocalplaneofthe
objectivetofilterthetransmittedlight.AMonochromeScientificCamerarecordstheintensityimagesforeach
sequentialinputstateofpolarization.
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Figure1OpticalSchematicofBirefringenceImagingMicroscope

Cerna®BirefringenceImagingMicroscopeChapter2:GettingStarted
Rev.A,July27,2022 Page3
PartsList–Accessories
TheCerna
®
‐BasedBirefringenceImagingMicroscopeiscarefullypackagedinaPelican1690case.Thecomplete
systemconsistsofamainunitandthefollowingstandardaccessories.
Note
AlltheCM50xBirefringenceImagingmicroscopesaresuppliedwithoneUSB3.0cable.Thesecablesare
constructedtoprovidereliabledatathroughputatalengthof3m.Donotreplacethiscablewitha3mcablefrom
adifferentvendor.Theuseofashortercable(1mor2m)mightbeacceptablebutisnotguaranteed.Neveruse
anycablethatislongerthan3monaUSB3.0system.
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Item#CM501
12VDCPowerSupply,Item#DS12
PowerCord(Region‐Specific)
USBDrivewithSoftwareandManual
HighSpeedUSB2.0Type‐AtoType‐BCable,2m
SuperSpeedUSB3.0AtoMicroBCable,3m
ControlCable,2m
BirefringentNBS1963AResolutionTarget,Item#R2L2S1B
ProtectiveTapes
10xObjective,Item#N10X‐PF
CameraAssembly
LEDAssembly
9‐PieceHexKeySet,Metric,Item#CCHK/M
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Cerna®BirefringenceImagingMicroscopeChapter2:GettingStarted
Page4CTN017763‐D02
Item#CM502
12VDCPowerSupply,Item#DS12
PowerCord(Region‐Specific)
USBDrivewithSoftwareandManual
HighSpeedUSB2.0Type‐AtoType‐BCable,2m
SuperSpeedUSB3.0AtoMicroBCable,3m
ControlCable,2m
BirefringentNBS1963AResolutionTarget,Item#R2L2S1B
ProtectiveTapes
10xObjective,Item#N10X‐PF
CameraAssembly
LEDAssembly
9‐PieceHexKeySet,Metric,Item#CCHK/M
Three‐ChannelControllerandKnobBox(Item#MCM3001)whichincludes:
oKnobBox
oControllerBox
oJoystickControllerCable
oPowerSupply
oPowerCord(Region‐Specific)
oUSBCable(AtoB)
oTwo1/4"‐20CapScrews,1/2"Long
oTwoM6CapScrews,12mmLong
oSix4‐40HexStand‐OffstoSecureCables
Unpacking
OpenthePelicancaseandcheckthatallaccessoriesarepackedinthecaseaccordingtotheincludedpackinglist.
Note
Alwaysweargloveswhenhandling,settingup,andworkingwiththesystem.
ThefollowingprocedureisrecommendedfortransferringtheCM501/CM502mainunittothetablewhereitwill
beoperated:
Step1:Openthecaseandremovethefirstfoamlayercarefully.Retaintheprotectivetapeanduseitto
protectthemainunitfromdustwhenrepackagingisneeded.

Cerna®BirefringenceImagingMicroscopeChapter2:GettingStarted
Rev.A,July27,2022 Page5
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Figure2FirstLayerofCM501Packaging
Step2:Takeouttheaccessoriesandputthemontheopticaltable.Thenremovethesecondfoamlayer
carefully.NotethatmainunitshouldremaininthePelicancasewhilethisisdone.
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Figure3SecondLayerofCM501Packaging
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ProtectiveTape
FirstFoamLayer
CameraAssembly
USB3.0Cable
USBDrive
HexKeySet
CM501
MainUnit
LEDAssembly
USB2.0Cable
ControlCable
PowerCord
10xObjective
R2L2S1BResolution
Target
DS12Power
Adapter
HoldingPoint
(RightHand)
HoldingPoint
(LeftHand)

Cerna®BirefringenceImagingMicroscopeChapter2:GettingStarted
Page6CTN017763‐D02
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Figure4SecondLayerofCM502Packaging
Step3:Usebothhandstotransferthemainunit,asshowninFigure5,totheopticaltable.Thenuseat
leastfourscrewstosecurethemainunittotheopticaltable.
Note
LiftingtheunitwhilegraspingitatpointsotherthanthoseshowninFigure5isnotrecommended,asthismay
causedamagetothemainunitaswellashumaninjury.Ifthereisdifficultytransportingtheunitwithtwohands
toitsfinallocation,theunitmayfirstplaceduprightonanintermediatesurfacethatisstableandflat.Theunit
maythenbetransportedtoitsfinallocationusingonehandgraspingthemainbodyrailandtheotherhand
supportingthebase.
CameraAssembly
USB3.0Cable
ControlCable
USB2.0Cables
USBDrive
HexKeySet
PowerCords
HoldingPoint
(RightHand)
HoldingPoint
(LeftHand)
CM502
MainUnit
Three‐Channel
Knob
10xObjective
R2L2S1B
ResolutionTarget
LEDAssembly
Three‐ChannelController
Three‐Channel
Controller
PowerAdapter
DS12Power
Adapter

Cerna®BirefringenceImagingMicroscopeChapter2:GettingStarted
Rev.A,July27,2022 Page7
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Figure5RecommendedOperationtoTransfertheCM501/CM502MainUnitfromOnePlacetoAnother
Afterunpackingthesystem,storethepackagingcartonsandthePelicancase.IftheBirefringenceImaging
Microscopeneedstobeservicedorreturned,itmustbetransportedwithinthePelicancase.
IdentificationandFunctionofSystemComponents
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Figure6IdentificationofCM501ImagingMicroscope
HoldingPoint
(RightHand)
HoldingPoint
(LeftHand)
CameraAssembly
CameraPort
ObjectiveHolder
Objective
ControlBox
Connectors
IrisDiaphragm
ManualObjectiveArm
MicroscopeBody
LEDAssembly
IlluminationModule

Cerna®BirefringenceImagingMicroscopeChapter2:GettingStarted
Page8CTN017763‐D02
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Figure7IdentificationofCM502ImagingMicroscope
ThetablesbelowlistthestandardcomponentsofCM501andCM502ImagingMicroscopes:
ComponentCM501CM502
LEDAssembly
625nm,700mW(Min)MountedLED,Item#M625L4
CollimatingLenses,Item#LA1134‐A,ACL12708U‐A
Ø1"LaserLineFilter,CWL=632.8±0.2nm,Item#FL632.8‐1
CageAssemblyRod,1"Long,Item#ER1
SM1‐Threaded30mmCagePlate,Item#CP33/M
IlluminationModuleTransmittedLightIllumination/DICImagingModule,Item#WFA1000
MicroscopeBodyCernaMicroscopeBodywithEpi‐IlluminationArm,500mmRail,Item#CEA1500
Connectors
USB3.0
USB2.0
Control
LEDConnector
PowerAdapterConnector
ControlBoxLiquidCrystalOpticalComponentsIntegrated
CameraAssembly
1XCameraTubewithC‐Mount,Item#WFA4100
Kiralux5.0MPMonochromeCMOSCamera,USB3.0Interface,Item#CS505MU
CameraAssembly
ObjectiveHolder
Objective
ControlBox
IrisDiaphragm
Connectors
MotorizedObjectiveArm
MicroscopeBody
LEDAssembly
IlluminationModule
Three‐ChannelKnob
Three‐ChannelController
CameraPort

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ComponentCM501CM502
ObjectiveArm
ManualModulewith1"Travelfor
Edge‐MountedArms,Item#ZFM1020
MotorizedModulewith1"Travelfor
Edge‐MountedArms,Item#ZFM2020
N/A
Three‐ChannelControllerandKnobBox
for1"CernaTravelStages,Item#
MCM3001
Objective10XNikonPlanFluoriteImagingObjective,Item#N10X‐PF
ObjectiveHolderNosepiecefor2Objectives,Item#sCSN1202andCSA1200

Standardsystemsuseanintegrated633nmLEDasthelightsource.Ifalightsourcewithacustomwavelength
wasselected,thenitwillinsteadbeintegratedintothedeliveredsystem.
AlloftheCM501/CM502’sopticalcomponentsaredesignedandtunedforeither633nmorforthecustom
operationalwavelengthspecifiedatthetimeofpurchase.Theconfigurationandpositionsoftheopticswithinthe
systemarecarefullyalignedinthefactory.Therearenouserserviceablecomponents.
AnintegratedThorlabs’CS505MUMonochromeCMOScameraisusedtocapturethesampleimage.Thecamera’s
sensorhas2448x2048(HxV)pixels.Thedefaultimagingmicroscopeconfigurationprovidesanobjectivewith
10xmagnificationandacameratubelenswith1xmagnification.Thisresultsinaspatialresolutionandfieldof
viewofthesystemof1.055μmand0.84x0.71mm.
2.4.1 SampleStageandSampleHolder
ThestandardCM501/CM502systemisapre‐installedmicroscopesystem.ItiscompatiblewithThorlabs'sample
holders(availableseparately,seethefollowingformoreinformation)whichsupportslideholders,petridishes,
recordingchambers,micromanipulators,andothersamplesthatwillbeinsertedintoaCerna®microscope’s
opticalpath.TherearealsomanualandmotorizedstagesprovidingXYtranslation,whichcanbeintegratedwith
therigidstands.
Manualandmotorizedkitsbelowarerecommendedforgeneralapplications.Allofthemareconvenientforspace‐
constrainedmicroscopysystems,inwhichseveralstandsareused.
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ManualKit–Option1

Figure8RigidStandSlideHolderandmanualXYTranslationStagewithCM501
ThismanualkitconsistsofanMP200‐MLSHrigidstand,anMLS203P2PetriDish/Slideholder,anXRN25P‐K1XY
translationstageandanMPA1Adapter.ItoffersXandYhorizontalaxistranslationupto25mmandmaintainsa
slimprofilethatconsumesaminimalamountofspaceinandaroundtheopticalpath.
ItemNumberQty.Description
MP200‐MLSH1LargeInsertHolder,AdjustmentHeight:248.1‐410.1mm
MLS203P2 1PetriDish/SlideHolderforInvertedMicroscopes
XR25P125mmTravelLinearTranslationStage,Side‐MountedMicrometer
XR25C125 mm Travel Linear Translation Stage, End-Mounted Micrometer


Cerna®BirefringenceImagingMicroscopeChapter2:GettingStarted
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ManualKit–Option2

Figure9OlympusU‐SVManualXYStagewithCM502
ThesecondmanualkitcontainsanCSA1051OlympusStageAdapterArm,anCSS2000manualOlympusXYstage
SlideHolderandanCSS2001manualOlympusXYstage.Itprovides80mm(3.1")oftranslationalongtheXaxis
and54mm(2.1")oftranslationalongtheYaxiswithoutobstruction.AVernierscalewith100μmresolution
alongsideeachaxisprovideshighprecisionsamplepositioning.
ItemNumberQty.Description
CSA10511OlympusStageAdapterArmforCernaMicroscope
CSS20001ManualOlympusXYStageSlideHolder
CSS20011ManualOlympusXYStageforUprightMicroscope
Othercustomizedsampleholderadaptersareavailable.PleasecontactThorlabs’TechSupportpriortopurchase.
MotorizedSampleStage
Themotorizedkitconsistsofan2DXYmotorizedtranslationstage(Item#PLS‐XY)andanMP100‐RCH2rigidstand.
TheMCM30013‐AxisControllerisusedtoadjustthestage’sposition.Thestageiscompatiblewithloadsupto
42lbsandmountstothebottomoftherigidstand,whichmaintainsthestand'scompactfootprint.

Cerna®BirefringenceImagingMicroscopeChapter2:GettingStarted
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Figure10 RigidStandandmotorizedXYStagewithCM501
ItemNumberQty.Description
MP200‐MLSH1LargeInsertHolder,AdjustmentHeight:248.1‐410.1mm
PLS‐XY12DMotorizedTranslationStageforRigidStands
MCM3001
*
1Three‐ChannelControllerandKnobBoxfor1"CernaTravelStages
Note
*ThestandardCM502containsanMCM3001three‐channelcontrollerwithtwofreeportsavailable.Therefore,it
isnotnecessarytopurchasethisadditionalMCM3001controllerifthemotorizedsamplestagesolutionischosen.


Cerna®BirefringenceImagingMicroscopeChapter2:GettingStarted
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SystemInformationandConnections
AnXY‐CoordinateisengravedonthetopsurfaceofcontrolboxfortheindicationofAzimuth(Fast‐Axisorientation)
measurement.

Figure11 XY‐CoordinateforAzimuthmeasurement
Thecontrolconnectorislocatedontherearsideofthecontrolbox.

Figure12 Thebackofcontrolbox

Thesystemconnections,serialnumberandthemanufacturingnumberarelocatedontherearsideofthemain
unit:

Cerna®BirefringenceImagingMicroscopeChapter2:GettingStarted
Page14CTN017763‐D02
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Figure13 Thebackofthemainunit
Connectionsfromlefttoright:
Control
ServiceSwitch(forTechnicalSupportonly)
USB2.0TypeBConnectortolaptoporPC
LightSourceConnector
PowerSupplyConnector
PowerSwitch
SettingUptheCM501/CM502
2.6.1 GeneralSetup
Foroptimalimageacquisition,westronglyadvisethatthefollowingstandardpracticesaremet:
Acquireimageswiththesystemmountedonactivelyisolatedplatformsorvibration‐dampingtables.
Failuretoutilizeappropriatemountingplatformsresultsinpoorqualityimages.Thorlabsoffersawide
arrayofopticaltablesandmountingplatformsprovidingtherequiredstability.
Avoidplacingotherinstrumentsormachinesthatvibrateincloseproximitytothisimagingmicroscope.
Suchitemsincluderefrigerationunits,cellcultureincubators,hoods,etc.
Minimizeairdrafts,asthesecanresultinmovementoftheimagingmicroscopeandaffectsamplefocus.
Draftscanalsoleadtoparticulatecontaminationthatcandamageyourhardwareand/orintroduce
artifactsintoyourimagingfield.
Operateinlight‐controlledenvironmentstoreduceopticalnoise.
Ensurethesystem’senvironmentmeetsmanufacturer’sspecifications.Considerationsincludemounting
thesysteminalocationthatprovidessufficientdistancebetweenitandsurroundingwallsandceilings,
properregulationoftemperatureandhumidity,sufficientsourcesofelectricalpower,andetc.

Cerna®BirefringenceImagingMicroscopeChapter2:GettingStarted
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2.6.2 SystemInstallation

Caution
Initialcomponentassemblyrequired.Shouldassistanceberequired,arrangementscanbemade
foraserviceappointmenttoinstallthesystem.PleasecontactThorlabs
([email protected]orimagin[email protected])toobtainaquotationfor
installationservices


Stepsforinstallingthesystem,whichisdonebeforerunningthesystemsoftware,aredescribedinthefollowing:
Step1:Mountthemainunitontotheopticaltableasshownbelow.Securethemainunittothemounting
platformusingatleastfourscrews,i.e.,atleastonescrewateachcorner.

Figure14 Counterboresformainunitsecuring
Counterborefor
M6CAPScrew
Counterborefor
¼”‐20CAPScrew

Cerna®BirefringenceImagingMicroscopeChapter2:GettingStarted
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Figure15 Mountthemainunitontotheopticaltable
Step2:MounttheLEDAssemblyontotheilluminationmoduleofmainunit.

Figure16 MounttheLEDassemblyontotheilluminationmodule