- When leaving the system for the next user: sign out from Windows.
- Full shutdown:
- Shut down the computer.
- Swith off all laser keys (4).
- Power off the power strips in reverse order (3, 2, 1).
## Hardware Autofocus
### Hardware Autofocus
The hardware autofocus permits focus stabilization under non-bleaching conditions. It uses backreflection of grid pattern generated with a weak LED (850 nm) to measure the distance between the objective and the cover glass and to keep it constant. An aqueous medium (with a refractive index close to that of water) is required. It cannot be used with glycerol-based or hardening mounting media.
Objects above the cover glass/medium interface are not monitored. If objects of interest can change their focus position (e.g., cells rounding up during mitosis), the software autofocus should be used.
### A. Continuous mode (constant offset)
#### A. Continuous mode (constant offset)
This mode is convenient to keep the focus at a contant distance above the cover glass while moving the XY stage across large areas of the sample.
1. Click the button "HW-AF Dialog" in the toolbar on the right side of the application. Alternatively, the dialog can be opened with the menu command Configure → Autofocus.
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To use a different offset, turn off the autofocus, focus manually on a different position and turn it on again. For convenience, the toolbar also contains "HW-AF ON" and "OFF" buttons. The button "AutoFocus NOW" has no function (it works only with devices from other manufacturers).
### B. Stage positions with multiple offsets
#### B. Stage positions with multiple offsets
The following procedure describes the setup of a multiposition time series with multiple offsets (i.e., positions may have different z-coordinates above the cover glass).
1. In the Time lapse tab, check "Time-lapse series" and the "Autofocus" option. Click the "Config" button right of the "Autofocus" option
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