Need light with less heat for microscope

**AmeliaSkates** · Nov10-09, 07:38 PM

I'm using a confocal optical (reflection) microscope to look at cryo (cold) specimens (held at below -20C). The objective is 1.4 cm from my sample, and separated from it by a couple of layers of glass, BUT NONETHELESS the light is melting away the ice in my samples, damaging them within 5-10 minutes! Help! I'm wondering if getting a different fiber optic light source, or installing a filter, would help.

**Danger** · Nov10-09, 08:05 PM

Welcome to PF, Amelia.
This might seem like a dumb question, but are you sure that the light source is to blame? Fibre optics don't generally get very warm.

**Andy Resnick** · Nov10-09, 10:19 PM

I agree- there are many potential sources of heat- the sample stage, for example. What is your light source?

**Redbelly98** · Nov10-09, 11:47 PM

If it's an incandescent source, going to an LED would help. Or, could you simply dim the source you have and still view the sample?