EASY3D

3D super-resolution microscopy has never been easier. The patented single-beam light path of our EASY3D module allows you to capture the complete three dimensional structure of your sample features. Furthermore, EASY3D is compatible with any moderate- to high-NA objective lens and can correct aberrations in the STED beam, giving you full freedom to embed and image your sample in the best possible way. 

super easy, super resolution

Background-free MATRIX STED image of actin in microvilli of Caco2 cells

MATRIX Detector

Many eyes see more than one. The MATRIX detector drastically improves signal-to-background ratio, resolution, and dynamic range.

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TIMEBOW Imaging

TIMEBOW lifetime imaging for stunning results at confocal and STED super-resolution.

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Neurons stained for spectrin and adducine

FLEXPOSURE Illumination

Brings down the light dose on your sample and lables dramatically. Key ingredient for volume and live-cell superresolution.

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xz section of a stage 17 Drosophila embryo, stained for chitin and DNA

RAYSHAPE Mirror

Dynamic aberration correction with a deformable mirror over about 200 µm z-range. 140 digital actuators adjust the mirror surface within milliseconds.

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Axial STED image of actin in mouse inner ear hair cells

EASY3D

3D-STED and aberration control, the easy way

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Three-color STED image of microtubules, myosin and actin in the growth cone of a neuron's axon

RAINBOW Detection

Continuously variable spectral detection.

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STED Lasers

All-pulsed STED lasers for maximum resolution and minimal bleaching.

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Autoalignment

Every beam in order, including pinhole and STED-shape

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Autofocus

Continuous focus-lock, even with STED

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Excitation Lasers

Pulsed excitation lasers for virtually every wavelength.

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Accessories

Things to make your life easier

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Custom upright 3D STED microscope by abberior

Custom Solutions

We offer solutions for even the most challenging applications. Everything that can be done, we will do.

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EASY3D

bright images due to optical abberation control

Conventional 3-dimensional STED <

is often impared by aberrations caused by refractive index (RI) mismatches – reducing brightness and resolution with increasing sample depth.

> EASY3D STED with adaptive optics

corrects optical aberrations – allowing bright 3D-superresolution images at much greater depth.

EASY3D enables deep imaging of cleared adult kidney samples. Comparison of a XZ-slice deep into a renal corpuscle using conventional 3D STED imaging and EASY3D imaging. EASY3D allowed imaging up to 80 µm into cleared rat kidney tissue using an oil objective. Without correction of aberrations in the STED beam, the mismatch between immersion oil and sample leads to complete signal loss. Labels: Nephrin (red, abberior STAR 635P) and Podocin (green, AlexaFluor594).

Sample was prepared by D. Unnersjö Jess and H.G. Blom @ KTH Stockholm, Sweden.

FAQ Video 14

“How come that abberior STED microscopes deliver the highest resolution?”

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EASY3D

why do we call it “easy”

  • Tune the resolution in XY and Z to fit your imaging problem
  • Use any combination of 2D or 3D STED phase plates or any user-defined phase modulation
  • Aberration correction: keep the STED PSF in shape even deep inside your sample (> 20 μm)
  • Switch between objective lenses on the fly: oil immersion, water immersion, silicone oil immersion…
  • Resolution EASY3D: 90 × 90 × 90 nm minimum, 75 × 75 × 75 nm typical
  • Resolution 2D: better than 30 × 30 nm
  • Any abberior MINFLUX, INFINITY and FACILITY system can be equiped with the EASY3D device

The abberior EASY3D device uses a programmable spatial light modulator (SLM) to create phase patterns required for 2D and 3D STED microscopy. At the same time, it can also be used to correct for optical aberrations of the STED beam.

The SLM allows a revolutionary design with only one STED beam instead of two separate STED beams for lateral (XY) and axial (Z) resolution enhancement, respectively. The resolution enhancement can be tuned between pure XY and mainly Z enhancement. The single-beam design obsoletes any beam recombination and alignment resulting in outstanding system stability.

The abberior EASY3D design uses only a single beam to carry XYZ-STED. That’s why it’s always in perfect alignment.
In a conventional 3D STED design, one beam carries XY-STED and the other Z-STED. Both beams can drift apart, leading to misalignment and loss of signal and resolution.

Measurement through 13 µm of water leads to refractive index mismatch
Change from an oil objective to a water immersion lens on the fly to fit your application

Aberrations do matter! Each and every day. This measurement impressively demonstrates the effect of refractive index mismatch. When an oil immersion lens is used to image a layer of fluorescent beads imaged through 13 μm of water, the image suffers from a significant loss in fluorescence intensity. This results in unusable images, both for confocal and for STED imaging.

In contrast, when a water immersion lens is used, both layers of beads are imaged with the same quality The abberior EASY3D design allows you to change the objective lens on the fly and to use the most suitable lens in STED mode also!

Additionally, you can further correct aberrations in all beams with our Adaptive Optics device!

abberiors spatial light modulator (SLM)
3D STED resolution down to 180 µm

The aberration correction with our programmable spatial light modulator (SLM) allows you to image with 3D STED resolution down to 180 µm into the sample! This is only possible if you can correct the Z-STED zero depending on the sample depth.

  • Tune the resolution in xy and z to fit your imaging problem
  • Switch between objective lenses on the fly: oil immersion, water immersion, silicone oil …
  • Resolution 3D: 90 × 90 × 90 nm minimum, 75 × 75 × 75 nm typical
  • Resolution 2D: better than 30 × 30 nm

3D, the easy way

Dr. Andreas Schönle. Caption: Physicist, Co-Founder and passionate Photon Hunter

Why do we usually recommend APDs in our microscopes and why aren’t we worried about the supposedly lower dynamic range?

Having too many photons is never a problem. Therefore, detectors with the highest quantum efficiency are always the best choice, such as in a MATRIX array.

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Axial STED image of actin in mouse inner ear hair cells

EASY3D

3D-STED and aberration control, the easy way

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