Abstract: Accurate, reliable, and robust laser-based autofocus solutions are presented for through-the-lens microscope applications using slides or micro-titer plates. The laser-based autofocus solutions solve many of the problems that have arisen due to multiple reflective surfaces at varying distances relative to a sample of interest. The laser-based autofocus solutions provide a unique solution to resolve the ambiguity caused by these multiple reflective surfaces by using an image-based approach.

Abstract: Accurate, reliable, and robust laser-based autofocus solutions are presented for through-the-lens microscope applications using slides or micro-titer plates. The laser-based autofocus solutions solve many of the problems that have arisen due to multiple reflective surfaces at varying distances relative to a sample of interest. The laser-based autofocus solutions provide a unique solution to resolve the ambiguity caused by these multiple reflective surfaces by using an image-based approach.

Abstract: The removal of elemental oxygen with the aid of a reducing agent from a liquid coolant which circulates in one or more circulations and from which salts are to be removed simultaneously in an ion exchanger mixed-bed filter (5) can be effected without substantial additional expense in terms of apparatus by at least partially loading the anion or cation exchanger resin present in the mixed bed filter (5) with the said reducing agent. The reducing agent is added via a metering means (6) upstream of the mixed-bed filter (5) in the secondary circulation (2).