Configuration – Stage

Overview

The Stage tab, accessible by clicking on the corresponding icon, allows users to access and control some of the parameters linked to the stage motion and automated functions such as Stage Position, Storage Position, Autofocus and Miscellaneous. 

Stage Position

The Stage Position sub-window displays all the parameters linked to Minimum and Maximum physical limits or X, Y and Z positions of the stage in µm, as well as the current Position of the stage. However, the user may only change two parameters. First, the Offset (µm) corresponding to the relative position of the reference point with respect to the center of the shuttle. Second, the Maxi (maximum) Motion Speed (µm/s) corresponding to the fastest speed of the stage for a long distance movement (>20 µm). The fastest speed is 15000 µm/s (only available for new stage board).

Storage Position

The Storage Position sub-window displays a few important stored positions of the stage which are often useful before and during measurements.

Indeed, the Verify 1 stored position corresponds to the stage position stored for the automatic verification of all crystal types, except for LPC3 which is done on the Verify 2 stored position. The Airlock refers to the stored position for sample exchange. Users can either ‘Move To’ the selected position or ‘Save’ the new coordinates of this selected position.

Autofocus

The Autofocus sub-window enables the setting of the Offset position (µm) with respect to the default value, the maximum Range (µm) for this optical focus on the sample and the intensity of the Light, going from the darkest (0) to the brightest (60).

Miscellaneous

Additional user-friendly options are available through the Miscellaneous sub-window. One could, for instance, Lock the Stage during acquisition to prevent any unfortunate manual movement on the sample, use the Stage backlash during stage motion to ensure absolute repositioning, activate the Check Stage parameters, or decide to refine the Small Motion Speed. If this last option is chosen, the speed is set to v=10 µm/s for a relative move smaller than 20 µm, and to v=w+50 µm/s otherwise, « w » being the relative move distance covered by the stage.