Laser at end of life
Argon ion lasers lose power as the tube ages and eventually will not strike. HeNe and older diode lasers fade more gradually. The service software or laser controller usually shows hours and power.
Confocal service / Laser line missing
Confocal laser line missing or power dropped
A missing or weak laser line is the most common reason a confocal goes down. Tell us the system and which line, and we will narrow it down by phone before anyone travels.
NationwideOn-site service anywhere in the US, or on our bench in Newport, RI
Free assessmentNo charge to review the symptom and quote the work
30-day warrantyOn the parts and labor we install
Fully insuredLiability and equipment coverage, COI on request
What usually causes it
In rough order of how often we see it.
AOTF or AOM not passing the line
The laser is fine but the line never reaches the sample. AOTF driver faults, wrong frequency tables after a software reinstall, or a failed RF amplifier look like a dead laser.
Fiber or launch misalignment
Fiber-coupled lasers lose most of their power with a small shift at the launch. A bump during a move or a loose coupler drops one line while the others look fine.
Power supply or shutter
Laser power supplies, interlocks and safety shutters fail. The line is listed in software but no light leaves the laser module.
Software and configuration
A reinstall, a Windows update or a changed laser configuration file can disable a line that is physically healthy.
What we do
Measured, not guessed. We put a power meter at the objective or fiber output and report the numbers.
- Measure each line at the sample plane and at the laser output to find where the power is lost
- Repair or replace the laser: argon ion, HeNe, DPSS and diode sources, and laser power supplies
- Realign fiber launches, AOTFs and the beam path into the scan head
- Replace or retune AOTF drivers and RF amplifiers
- Where the system supports it, replace an aging gas laser with a solid-state source and reconfigure the software
- Written report with before and after power measurements
What to send for a fast quote
Anything you do not know, we will find on the first call.
- Confocal model and stand (for example Zeiss LSM 710 on an Axio Observer)
- Which laser line is missing or weak, and whether it is internal or an external laser
- What the software reports: laser status, power percentage, error messages
- Laser hours if the controller shows them
- Whether anything changed recently: a move, a software reinstall, a power outage
How a service call runs
The same four steps whether it is a down laser or an annual PM.
Tell us the symptom
An engineer, not a call center, reviews your request and asks the few questions that narrow it down.
Get an estimate
You get an advance estimate, refined with scope, parts and lead time once the system is evaluated. You approve before work starts.
We do the work
On site in your lab, or crated and repaired on our bench. Lasers measured, optics cleaned, scan path aligned.
Report and warranty
A written service report with the measurements taken, plus 30 days of coverage on parts and labor.
Is it still worth it?
Sometimes a new laser costs more than the system is worth to you. We will say so, and quote a trade-in toward a refurbished confocal or a new CrestOptics spinning disk on your existing stand instead.
Questions labs ask us
Our argon laser will not turn on. Can it be replaced?
Yes. We repair and replace argon ion lasers and their power supplies, and on many systems we can fit a solid-state source in its place and reconfigure the software. Send the confocal model and we will quote both options.
The laser is on but one line does not reach the sample. What is it?
Usually the AOTF, its driver or a fiber launch rather than the laser itself. We measure power at the laser output and at the sample to find where it is lost before replacing anything.
Can you diagnose it before coming out?
Often. Laser status, power readings and error messages in the software tell us a lot, and on many systems we can log in remotely. That way we arrive with the right parts.
Do you service lasers on Leica, Olympus and Nikon confocals?
On a system by system basis. Zeiss LSM lasers are covered under our contracts; other brands are evaluated and quoted per system.
Request a free service assessment
Tell us the manufacturer, model and what the system is doing. An engineer reviews every request.
No obligation and no charge for the assessment.