Super Resolution Confocal Scanner Unit　CSU-W1 SoRa

Super Resolution Confocal Scanner Unit CSU-W1 SoRa is a model that enables super-resolution live-cell imaging based on the confocal scanner unit CSU-W1.
With its uniquely designed optical system, it preserves the ease of use that characterizes the conventional CSU-W1 while achieving super-resolution imaging with resolution beyond the optical diffraction limit.

Approximately 120 nm XY Resolution Beyond the Optical Diffraction Limit

Unique optical design based on spinning-disk confocal technology improves optical resolution by approximately 1.4×
Additional deconvolution processing achieves up to 2× resolution beyond the optical diffraction limit

Ideal for Super-Resolution Live-Cell Imaging

Enables high-speed imaging even in super-resolution mode, a key advantage of spinning-disk confocal systems
Optimized for live-cell imaging, offering deep observation, high-speed acquisition, and reduced photobleaching and phototoxicity
Supports a wide range of applications, from rapid cellular responses before and after drug administration to time-lapse and long-term observations

Maintains the Ease of Use of CSU Series

Super-resolution imaging with the same user experience as the standard CSU-W1
Seamless switching between conventional confocal imaging and super-resolution imaging
Existing CSU-W1 systems can be upgraded to this model

SoRa super-resolution principle

The image formation in regular confocal microscopes is shown as the product of the illumination PSF (point spread function) and detection PSF. If we consider the image formation on the pinhole at a position D from the optical axis, it is the product of the illumination PSF and detection PSF (as shown), and we can see that information at the position D/2 from the optical axis at the light source is transmitted. That is to say, information at the D/2 position at the light source is magnified to D on the pinhole. In order to correct this, a microlens is fitted and the individual focal points projected onto the pinhole are optically reduced by half, creating an ideal image formation.
By doing so, the resolution is made approximately equal to an ideal confocal microscope, in which the pinhole has been reduced to an infinitesimal size, producing an estimated 1.4x improvement upon regular confocal microscopes.

Reference
T. Azuma and T. Kei, “Super-resolution spinning-disk confocal microscopy using optical photon reassignment,"
Opt. Express 23, 15003-15011 (2015)

Configuration when upgrading from the CSU-W1

A SoRa disk can be added to your CSU-W1.
By using a magnification changer for SoRa, it’s possible to perform imaging tailored to your experimental requirements through switching between regular confocal observation and super-resolution observation.

1x:	Confocal observation (CSU-W1)
2.8x:	Super-resolution 100x objective lens
4x:	Super-resolution 60x objective lens

Overview : Confocal scanner unit CSU-W1

Product specification

Product specification*¹
Model	1 camera model (T1)	2 camera model (T2)	Split view model (T3)
Loadable model	A SoRa disk can be loaded as disk 2, and disk 1 can be selected (50μｍ or 25μｍ)
Excitation wavelength	405nm～640nm
Observation wavelength	420nm～680nm
Effective field of view	Depends on the magnification changer for SoRa specification (see below)
External light / NIR port	An external light port cannot be equipped at the same time as the intermediate magnification switcher The NIR port cannot be used together with a SoRa disk

Magnification changer for SoRa specification
Lens-switched light path	3 light paths switched electronically 　1x, 2.8x, 4.0x magnification
External dimensions	425(W)×301.1(L)×122.5(H) mm (excl. protrusions and supporting column)
Weight	13kg
Microscope connection	Manufacturer-specific adapter