Abstract
Abstract. We present Nikon–TRACKFlow, a new system with dedicated modules for automated microscope control and imaging for the fission track laboratory. It serves as a Nikon alternative for the Zeiss-based TrackWorks package from Autoscan Systems. Nikon–TRACKFlow is based on the Nikon Eclipse Ni-E motorised upright microscope and is embedded within Nikon NIS-Elements software. The system decouples image acquisition from analysis to decrease schedule stress of the microscope based on a number of automated user-friendly designs and protocols: (1) the well plate design that allows sequential scanning of multiple samples without the need of replacing the slide on the stage; (2) two protocols that are designed for the external detector method and the LA–ICP–MS fission track approach with tools for repositioning and calibration of the external detector; and (3) two other tools that are designed for automated point selection and scanning of large crystals, such as the Durango age standard and U-doped glass external detectors. In future versions, Nikon–TRACKFlow aims to step away from the dedicated system for fission track imaging towards a general high-throughput imaging system for Earth Sciences and other material-oriented sciences.
Highlights
The fission track (FT) method (e.g. Malusá and Fitzgerald, 2019) places high requirements on its optical instruments and is further characterised by a high need for specific protocols and equipment regarding image acquisition and analysis, which are not always readily available from microscope producers
In this note we will first present a brief description of the system, after which we introduce the protocols which are implemented within Nikon–TRACKFlow
The system is based on the Nikon Eclipse Ni-E motorised upright microscope (Fig. 1; Nikon Corporation, 2019c), with the dedicated modules for apatite FT (AFT) research embedded within the Nikon NIS-Elements Advanced Research (AR) software package (Nikon Corporation, 2019b) with JOBS, a smart imaging design interface
Summary
The fission track (FT) method (e.g. Malusá and Fitzgerald, 2019) places high requirements on its optical instruments and is further characterised by a high need for specific protocols and equipment regarding image acquisition and analysis, which are not always readily available from microscope producers. The University of Melbourne was the first to develop a complete and comprehensive automated microscope system based on Zeiss microscopes and offers the only complete system of its kind (Gleadow et al, 2019) Their effort, which is commercialised by Autoscan Systems Pty Ltd, has become well established in many fission track laboratories around the world. As it was developed for the same purpose, it serves as a Nikon-based alternative for Autoscan TrackWorks, which is the microscope control and imaging package of the Autoscan Fission Track Studio Suite Both systems have the aim to obtain maximum efficiency from a single microscope system, including to reduce schedule pressure. For a visual representation of the system, we refer to the short demonstration video (Van Ranst, 2020)
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