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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2011 Jun 1.
Published in final edited form as: Methods. 2010 Jan 22;51(2):242–250. doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2010.01.020

Fig. 2. Microscope customizations for adding photodetector, stages, and trap laser.

Fig. 2

(Left) View of condenser assembly and stages. We modified a hollow extension tube (A) to hold the dichroic mirror that deflects light scattered upward from the trap through a hole (out of view) cut through the right side of the tube. A separate lens and filter assembly (B) focuses the scattered light onto the photodetector (C). The piezo stage (D) sits atop a manual stage (E). A custom platform (F) is required to accommodate the height of the stages. (Right) Side view showing stages (D, E) and additional modifications underneath the custom platform (F). We replaced the stock objective turret with a custom piece (G) that holds a single objective lens (plus a Wollaston prism) and dove-tails into the Nikon focusing mechanism. Another custom piece (H), fixed to the underside of the platform (F), holds the dichroic that deflects the trap laser into the objective.