The Elyra 7 is a super resolution system that uses a specialized 3D lattice illumination pattern for 3D structured illumination (SIM) images. The lattice illumination allows for faster, gentler, and deeper imaging of live samples, with high speed in Burst Mode. SIM is a technology that can be used with standard fluorophores, making it an easily accessible choice for super resolution results. The system yields down to ~120 nm lateral resolution and ~300 nm axial resolution. The SIM² processing mode can double the resolution of regular SIM, producing images with effective resolution down to ~60 nm in x and y and ~200nm in z. Effective resolution of SIM depends largely on optimal sample preparation.

The system is equipped with the following modalities: 

• Super resolution lattice SIM and SIM² using the 63x 1.4 NA oil-immersion lens and the 63x 1.2 NA water-immersion lens. SIM requires close matching of refractive indices between the immersion and the mounting media of the specimen.

• Apotome grid-based optical sectioning using the 40x 1.4 NA oil-immersion lens and the 40x 1.2 NA water-immersion lens. Grid-based optical sectioning creates highly contrasted images with isotropic resolution. This mode is particularly useful for time lapse imaging of faster cellular/tissue dynamics. The Apotome mode is also amenable to SIM² processing for even better resolution results.