Traditional Stage Warming

Historically, when specimens needed to be warmed on a microscope stage, the specimen was placed on a heated plate where peripheral heat was radiated to warm the specimen. This method is known as a stage heater and is not as precise or as fast as the first-surface conductive method. However, it may be appropriate in some cases.

Peripheral warming is a simple technique requiring a temperature controller and a heated metal stage adapter plate. The Bioptechs’ Temperature Controller is easily modified for various thermal loads. Therefore, we can custom machine a warming plate to your specifications.

The purpose of a warming stage is to warm the specimen. The way in which a warm stage heats the specimen is by radiant thermal transfer. Therefore, the stages’ ability to radiate heat is more significant than its mass. A high thermal-mass heated stage requires more energy or more time to heat. A low-mass, close proximal, radiant surface heats much faster with less energy. Threrefore its thermal radiation can be regulated faster than a high thermal-mass stage. The result is a more accurate temperature control having less cyclic behavior. Bioptechs can manufacture a peripherally heated stage specifically to customer requirements with faster thermal control than traditional methods. By combining a standard controller with modified circuitry and a custom stage adapter you can have a peripheral temperature device at the same cost as the slower traditional systems.

Bioptechs Two-Channel Temperature Control Circuitry