By using this mode, you set the first and the last plane of the z-stack. This mode is suitable if you do not know the thickness of your sample exactly.
- You are in the Z-Stack tool.
- Activate the First/Last mode by clicking the First/Last button. This button is selected by default.
- In the Live mode, adjust the z-drive until you have reached the upper plane of the z-stack. The blue plane in the illustration shows the actual focus plane.
- Click Set First to set the adjusted z-position as first position of the z-stack.
- In the Live mode, adjust the z-drive until you have reached the lower plane of the z-stack.
- Click Set Last to set the adjusted z-position as last position of the z-stack.
- You have set the upper and lower boundaries of the z-stack.
- Click Optimal to adjust the number of slices and the best interval according to the Nyquist criteria. Alternatively, you can set the desired interval and number of slices in the input fields manually.
- Depending on which option is selected in the Keep section either the Interval or the Slices will be held constant.
- Click Start Experiment to start the experiment.
- You have successfully set up and performed an z-stack experiment using First/Last mode.