Spec sheet ARGOLIGHT ARGO-SIM slide for fluorescence imaging systems 02/2018 Introduction Argolight multidimensional slides are specifically designed for assessing and following the performances of fluorescence-based imaging systems. Argo-SIM slides are specifically designed for structured illumination microscopes, as well as any system exploiting deconvolution algorithms. The slides consist in a special glass piece (ArgoGlass®) set on a metal carrier. Different fluorescent patterns are embedded inside the glass. They also exhibit a contrast in bright and dark fields, DIC (Differential Interference Contrast) and phase contrast. The patterns are accurately positioned and stable to light illumination. The analysis of pattern images can be simplified using Argolight software solutions. Fluorescence properties Patterns are excitable from 350 nm to 650 nm. The emission is a broad continuum and the efficiency decreases as the excitation wavelength shifts towards the red. Fluorescence stability Under normal use (irradiances, either peak or average, no higher than 50 GW/cm2), the fluorescence spectrum for a given illumination setting is identical in shape and intensity to any similar part of the patterns. Under specific illumination configurations, the intensity of the patterns may decrease. However, this decrease is transient. The fluorescence intensity recovers to its initial value after some time. The recovery time depends on the irradiation conditions (power density, wavelength, pixel size, exposure time). This behaviour is reproducible. For a given intensity and exposure time, the rate of decrease and recovery time will always be the same. Read the full study at www.argolight.com. ArgoGlass® Description ArgoGlass® is a special glass produced at the Argolight facility to insure its homogeneity and purity. Its refractive index is similar to the one of microscope cover glasses. Imaging compatibility Objective compatibility The slides are compatible with dry and oil immersion objectives. The slides are compatible with water mmersion, but continuous exposure longer than five minutes should be avoided. Patterns inside the slide Patterns are positioned (170 ± 5) pm below the top glass surface, on a horizontal plane which flatness is within ± 5 mrad. This emulates the presence of a microscope coverglass, having a thickness of (170 ± 5) pm and a refractive index of (1.5255 ± 0.0015) at 546.1 nm. The maximum relative positioning error is ± 110 nm in XY and ± 110 nm in Z within each individual pattern. The thickness (in the Z direction) of these patterns is about (600 ± 200) nm FWHM (Full Width at Half Maximum). Patterns description can be found in the back of this spec sheet. Argolight - 2018 - [email protected] - www.argolight.com

Spec sheet ARGOLIGHT ARGO-SIM slide for fluorescence systems 02/2018 Patterns overview Patterns description The slide contains 14 types of patterns. Pattern A - Target. Concentric circles with increasing radii from 10 μm to 120 μm with a step of 10 μm, featuring a target. Pattern B - 2D Matrix of rings. A 2D matrix of 21 × 21 rings, separated by 5 μm, on a total field of 110 μm × 110 μm. The field of rings is surrounded by eight landmarks, and exhibits a 3 μm long cross in its center. Pattern C - 4 x 4 Intensity. Sixteen 6 μm-wide squares having different fluorescence intensity levels following...