In situ imaging of micro-organisms in intense magnetic fields

摘要

This article describes a setup suitable for the in situ visualization and imaging of swimming unicellular organisms in intense magnetic fields at a constant temperature. It fits within a 31 T maximum field, 50 mm bore resistive magnet at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. The main optical component is a 6 mm side view borescope, which provides an optical axis perpendicular to the magnetic field allowing us to monitor the motion of the micro-organisms parallel to the field. The system has a maximum resolution of 20 mu m. We will present images of swimming paramecia in magnetic field obtained with this setup and show that the resolution is adequate for tracking purposes.