Topic · 18 posts
Optics
18 posts on Optics, 2015–2026, newest first.
Optics posts, newest first
- 16 Jul2026
Understanding TTL control, Blanking & Device Streaming, and why it matters for your research.
While this is an old subject in terms of technology, I find that every few years I end up describing it to a new group. Surprisingly to me, every time people seem to appreciate the information, and I think it’s just not covered often in…
ImagingLaserNebula8 min read
- 28 Feb2026
Design of a cemented doublet lens using AI
How well can modern AI agents produce engineering designs for optics? Well – I wanted to find out. To test this, I’ll walk through my goal. I need to get a lens made and I need it fast. I also need it to work properly. Lastly, I need it to…
AIOptics2 min read
- 27 Feb2026
xTool Conversion utilities
We are about to announce some new products made using the amazing xTool UV laser engraver. Along te way, we needed to convert the 3d files used on the system to SVG. I figured I may as well share that, and so you can find it on my github…
LaserOptics1 min read
- 15 Oct2025
Nikon Ti-E EPI Filter Wheel
What to look for and how to replace the drive gear The Venerable Nikon Ti-E remains in service in research labs all over the world. One of the first autofocus-enabled instruments deployed with the integrated PFS, there isn’t much to ask…
Device automationMicroscopesNikon1 min read
- 13 Jun2017
Cooling a Pt Grey Camera
I’ve been working with Pt Grey (now FLIR) cameras for a few years now, and one nagging question in the back of my mind has been whether or not it is possible to cool them via external means. There are basically 3 categories of cooling when…
Device automationOpticssCMOS4 min read - 19 Sep2016
High speed stable enclosure for GoPro and Black Magic cameras
Here’s a project I can finally talk about! This is one of my clients, PEOVI, who makes rugged, high speed camera mounts for anything from race cars, to airplanes. If you need to mount a Black Magic Micro, or GoPro, to your high speed…
ImagingOptics1 min read - 05 Jun2016
Shutter Configuration of TTL devices in Micromanager
I made this video to show how to use both a state device shutter object and a group shutter object in micro-manager. Hopefully others can make use of it!
ImagingMicro-ManagerMicroscopes1 min read - 04 May2016
Dynamic Mirror Reflection Angles using Fusion360
SO I’ve been working with AutoDesk’s Fusion360 for a while now, and have found it to be an exceptional tool for diving into CAD. If you’ve considered CAD before, but have been scared off by the learning curve, I recommend checking it out…
ImagingOpticsProgramming1 min read
- 28 Apr2016
Optical Design comes to the iPad!
Over the past 5 years, almost every project I’ve worked on has required some level of optic design. In many cases, simple designs suffice. For example, projecting an LED can be accomplished at a basic level with an aspheric condenser. But…
ImagingLaserOptics1 min read
- 31 Dec2015
uPeek iPhone based Microscope
Kickstarter has another iphone microscope project, this time it looks like an attachment which includes a 4 line LED, focusing and optical element system, and machined body. Looks cool! -Austin
MicroscopesOptics1 min read
- 18 Dec2015
ASCB 2015 Reveals the Next Generation of Microscopy
One of the best aspects of flying is being apart from the world. Not only terra firma, but the troubles of life, questions of the future, and concerns of the present. Flight requires attention to instruments while in operation, but long…
MicroscopesOpticsRevolve6 min read
- 20 Oct2015
Cutting Filters using a CNC
SO I had a project where I needed a specific size of beamsplitter and I needed it quickly. Unfortunately, the type I needed wasn’t available from the usual sources, at least, not without a few days of lead time. What to do? It turns out…
Optics1 min read - 01 Aug2015
Echo Laboratories launches the Revolve Microscope
Over 450 years have seen the compound microscope evolve into an incredible instrument. From simple contrast viewing, we’ve moved to super resolution systems capable of sub-diffraction accuracy. But for all this advancement, we’ve been…
Disruptive TechnologyImagingMicroscopes5 min read
- 31 Jul2015
Countdown to a Revolution in Microscopy – Day 1
Well, I guess I should continue providing lengthy explanations of this skunk works project, but I think it’s time to let this thing stand on it’s own merit. So…here’s a nifty countdown timer until the announcement goes up! The wait is over…
ImagingMicroscopesOptics1 min read - 30 Jul2015
Countdown to a Revolution in Microscopy – Day 2
I was supposed to write about bigger/faster/stronger today, but I don’t want to. Instead I want to consider culture. Companies absolutely have cultures, or rather, micro-cultures. Labs have cultures as well! One can consider in many ways a…
MicroscopesOptics1 min read
- 28 Jul2015
Countdown to a Revolution in Microscopy – Day 4
What can’t your microscope do? Any user of a modern scope, or at least, a high end scope, considers the addition of new widgets. Whether it’s a better illuminator, adding a more sensitive camera, or even a motorized component, we think of…
ImagingMicroscopesOptics3 min read
- 28 Jul2015
Countdown to a Revolution in Microscopy – Day 5
The foundational design of the compound microscope has, in many ways, remained locked in place for the 450 years of it’s existence. Combining an objective, eyepiece, and illuminator to provide a magnified view of a specimen has drastically…
ImagingMicroscopesOptics2 min read
- 28 Feb2015
Identifying Astigmatism in your microscope
After all of the engineering and testing which goes into a microscope, you’d imagine that any manufactured scope would have perfect alignment of the optics. Believe it or not, in many cases things can be off! So how can you tell this? A…
MicroscopesOptics2 min read