Dear all, Several people noticed reduced output of the Argon laser of the Zeiss710. We checked the laser output at the objective and it is reduced due to degradation of the crystal. The laser itself is still ok. Practically, the crystal degradation causes attenuation of the laser light, meaning that the laser output (% of 488nm that you control in the software) which effectively reaches your sample is reduced. We will replace the crystal it as it is only going to get worse, but until then, you can achieve similar images as before, just use the confocal at higher laser output percentage in the software. This will not change anything at the level of your sample as the crystal degradation reduces the laser light that reaches your sample. Crystal degradation influences 488nm laser light more than the other wavelengths, so other laser lines (like the 561nm) should behave more or less similar as before. Do not increase the output of the laser at the small box, this setting should remain under 6 amps (green led and not red) as this will reduce the laser life time dramatically. have fun imaging, d Prof. Dr. ir. Daniel Van Damme - Group leader Advanced Live Cell Imaging VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology Ghent University Technologiepark 927 - 9052 Ghent - Belgium Tel. +32(0)9 331 39 13 [ http://www.psb.ugent.be/ | www.psb.ugent.be ]