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- The Nanoimager is normally left on with the PC logged in, in which case you can go directly to step 5.
- If you do need to turn on the Nanoimager, first make sure the power switch on the back of the Light Engine is switched on.
- Boot up the PC by pressing the power button
- Login to the ONI account.
- Double-click the NimOS icon on the desktop to launch the acquisition and analysis software.
- Click the Acquire button in the top left of the user interface (UI) and then click Connect to Microscope.
- Click on 'OK' when the "could not identify instrument" window pops up
- Select 3D_QZX2P3SM for 3D single molecule imaging and QZXZP3SM for any other type of imaging (including 2D single molecule imaging)
- Click "Connect to Microscope"
- NimOS will open the dialogue box below, asking you to check the stage before it connects to the device to prevent damage.
- On the Nanoimager microscope, push the safety interlock slider to the 'in' position. This unlocks the lid and prevents the imaging lasers from coming on.
- Lift the lid of the chamber and make sure the area around the stage is clear and that all samples have been removed. There should be two stacks of small disc magnets, one stack of three on either side of the stage. They will be used to secure the specimen later and should be left in where they are.
- Leave the lid open and click Confirm and Connect on the computer screen. There will be noise as the light engine starts up and messages will appear in NimOS as the computer connects to the different components.
- You will see that the stage moves to very high position as part of its initialisation. If there was a sample on the stage and the lid had been closed there would have been a significant risk of the sample hitting the inside of the lid, possibly damaging the stage. This is why the stage needs to be clear of specimens prior to initialisation. The stage can also be initialised with the lid closed provided there is no sample on the stage.
- In the Temperature Control area on the left of the user interface, set the Target Temperature to 31ºC or 37ºC and press the Enable Control button (the button will change colour and say Disable Control once pressed). The Nanoimager operates at a temperature around 6 degrees warmer than ambient and the temperature control must be set slightly above that to maintain stability.
Once the temperature has stabilised the control can be disabled.
Note ONI say that it will take the microscope 60 to 90 minutes for the microscope to reach 37°C and stabilise.
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