Optical Diffractometer Available - demos wanted?

[Holmes, Jon]

Further to this, we plan a demonstration of the Optical Diffractometer in
Boston at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, from
(around) mid-February. The instrument will be available for viewing by prior
arrangement with Sira Electro-Optics and the Institute, and will be there
for several weeks.

If you would like to see the Optical Diffractometer, please contact me as
soon as possible.

Thanks

Jon Holmes
+44 20 8468 1770
Jon.Holmes at siraeo.co.uk


> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Holmes, Jon 
> Sent:	25 September 2002 09:02
> To:	'3dem at sdsc.edu'
> Subject:	Optical Diffractometer Available - demos wanted?
> 
> 
> In March this year Brad Amos from MRC announced on this list that the
> Optical Diffractometer that has been developed at MRC Laboratory of
> Molecular Biology would be made commercially available.
> 
> MRC have completed signing an agreement with Sira Electro-Optics Ltd
> (London, UK) licensing Sira to manufacture and market the instrument.  
> 
> Some sites in the US have expressed interest in the instrument, and the
> main reason for circulating this e-mail is to canvas interest in seeing it
> in operation in the US (probably at our Ohio office). 
> 
> I would be interested to receive enquiries from the US or indeed anywhere
> else.
> 
> Like Brad in his message (21 Mar 02), I apologise for the 'commercial'
> nature of this e-mail, but I was recommended to use it by more than one
> e/m user!
> 
> I attach some more information about the instrument.
> ________________________________________________________________________
> Industrial Business Manager
> Sira Electro-Optics Ltd
> South Hill
> Chislehurst
> Kent
> BR7 5EH
> 
> Tel. 	+44 (0) 20 8468 1770 
> Fax.	+44 (0) 20 8468 1771
> E-mail: Jon.Holmes at siraeo.co.uk
> http://www.siraeo.co.uk/
> ________________________________________________________________________
> This message and any attachments is for the intended addressee only.
> Please contact us immediately if you have received this transmission in
> error.  If you are not the intended recipient, you should note that any
> use, copying, disclosure or distribution of this information is strictly
> prohibited. The views of the author may not necessarily constitute the
> views of Sira Electro-Optics Ltd.  Nothing in this email shall bind Sira
> Electro-Optics Ltd in any contract or obligation.
> ________________________________________________________________________
> Optical Diffractometer 
> 
> for evaluating electron micrograph images
> 
> *	Fast, easy evaluation of electron micrograph images
> *	
> *	High-contrast images from enclosed precision laser optics
> *	
> *	Compact, ergonomic, hi-tech design with small footprint, suitable
> for desk-top operation
> 
> *	Allows high-resolution, simultaneous display and capture of both
> diffraction and real-space video images.
> *	
> *	Simple to set up, use and maintain
> *	
> *	Diffraction image magnification variable over a 6-fold range
> 
> *	Does not require a darkened room for use or restricted access for
> laser safety reasons
> 
> *	Laser cross-hair for marking location of selected regions on the
> negative
> *	
> *	Service contract available providing worry-free year-round
> operation, with annual check-up and replacement of limited-life components
> 
> *	
> *	Complete with computer, frame-grabber and image capture software
> 
> Description of the 'SiraMed' Optical Diffractometer
> 
> This instrument was developed in the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology,
> Cambridge, where Klug and De Rosier first introduced the diffraction
> analysis of electron micrographs in the 60s.
> 
> Sira Electro-Optics Ltd., the well-known UK-based optical engineering and
> instrumentation company, have joined forces with MRC Laboratory of
> Molecular Biology to bring the instrument to the molecular biology
> research community. The prototype design, proven in the MRC laboratory
> with thousands of hours of use by MRC scientists, has been updated by Sira
> for manufacture and export.
> 
> Extensively tested by MRC scientists, this diffractometer eliminates the
> difficulty of use and eye-strain of earlier diffractometers. Risk of
> direct user exposure to the laser light is eliminated. The novel optical
> design allows the use of two high-resolution video cameras to capture the
> diffraction pattern and the real-space image simultaneously. It is
> possible to scan over a negative rapidly, using the real-time video image,
> and view at the same time the corresponding diffraction pattern, and then
> capture both digital images to disk. The magnification of both the real
> and the reciprocal space images can be varied independently.
> 
> 
> 
> To facilitate the surveying of large numbers of negatives, particular
> attention has been paid to the stage of the diffractometer, which allows
> translation and rotation of the image around a fixed centre. The holder
> makes contact only with the edges of the negative and adjustable masking
> baffles do not make contact with the negative. A video cross-hair
> generator can also be used for measurement with single-pixel precision.
> The instrument is straightforward to calibrate by scanning a reference
> target.
> 
> Instruments will be installed at the user's premises by trained
> technicians, and instruction provided in its operation. The diffractometer
> is simple to operate and requires no special skills or technical
> background (except for the biological interpretation of the images
> themselves).
> Specification
> 
> Dimensions  Length 610 mm x Width 400 mm x Height 510 mm. Designed for
> desk-top use. Weight approximately 25 kg
> 
> 
> Power requirements 110 V or 220 V 50 - 60 Hz AC from standard power
> outlets  
> 
> 
> Operating conditions  Normal laboratory / office conditions. No special
> lighting arrangements. No requirement for designated laser safety area
> with restricted access
> 
> 
> Optics The principal optics are coated telescope doublets giving
> exceptional performance throughout the diffractometer field.
> 
> 
> Light sources. Microlens laser diode (637nm) of 8-10 mW for diffraction
> image. Light-emitting-diode source for real space image with peak
> intensity at 520nm. Low power laser cross-hair generator to assist marking
> areas of interest. Lifetime of all sources exceed 5000 hours continuous
> operation. 
> 
> 
> Dynamic range. Laser intensity variable over an 800-fold range, allowing
> the examination of negatives of almost any optical density.
> 
> 
> Maximum diameter of viewed area of negative 29mm. Adjustable masks allow
> reduction of target area as desired
> 
> 
> Diffractometer constant Basic setting: 0.1mm = 104pixels in diffraction
> image (767 x 575 pixels total size). Variable within the range 0.1mm = 49
> pixels to 0.1mm = 316 pixels. Easily calibrated using reference target.
> 
> 
> Image Capture Device 2 GHz PC compatible equipped with 1600 x 1200 display
> and dual-input frame-grabber  (768 x 576 pixel). Image processing software
> supplied installed.
> 
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