Design and implementation of a cost-effective microscope for fabrication and imaging

The use of lasers and optical systems for advanced research and demonstrative purposes has traditionally been cost-prohibitive for many researchers. In this note, we present the design and optimization of a low-cost microscopy setup capable of imaging, fabrication or photopolymerization via multiphoton excitation of a photoactivator and the study of processes such as diffusion using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). The setup features a continuous wave (CW) Ar-ion laser, a pulsed Nd3+:YAG laser, an inverted microscope with a CCD camera and appropriate optics. The setup is cost-effective and puts a once-expensive setup within reach of more researchers interested in micron- and sub-micron-scale processes.