Resolution with Cy5 and PE-Cy5

From: Robinson, Howard (Howard.Robinson@joslin.harvard.edu)
Date: Mon Mar 27 2000 - 17:53:48 EST


On our MoFlo, the first pathway (488nm) has 5 PMT holders for SSC and 4 FL
channels.  The third pathway (633nm) has 2 PMT holders.  In trying to ensure
I am starting with a properly aligned machine, I use spherotech 5 peak
beads.  When I use a 670/40 or 670/30 filter to align the system to look at
Cy5 or PE-Cy5, I see mixed results.

1.) With the 670/40 or 670/30 in the last position of either pathway, a
straight path, I am having great difficulty seeing more than 2 clear peaks.
The 3 lowest peaks are not resolved at all.

2.) When I insert a 710DRLP and put the 670/40 or 670/30 in position to
receive reflected light from the dichroic I get beautiful resolution of all
peaks through the 670/40 or 670/30.  The light passed on by the dichroic is
then filtered through a 740LP and sent to the last detector in either
pathway, again this resolution is poor (I get the 2 higher peaks broad and
the lowest 3 peaks clumped together).
I have adjust the PMTs voltage and physical position in the holders,
switched the PMTs, adjusted the lasers, the dichroic, and I'm at a loss for
why this is happening.

The light reflected by the dichroic and sent through the 670/40 or 670/30
gives a
better resolved signal than the direct light passed through a 670/40 or
670/30.  Is
this normal?  Am I doing something obviously wrong?

How can I ensure the resolution for the signal passed through the 740LP is
optimal?


Thank for any assistance you can offer and thanks for your help to this
point.

Howard Robinson



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