Spring 11:QRT-PCR

Looking for weekly reports?

To-Do

• research what to order for heated lid
• review voltage dividers and figure out Steinhart Hart equation for thermistor

Weekly goals

• 3/25: Optics finished. Code started.
• 4/1: Heated lid finished.
• 4/8: Updated heat transfer function. Successful PCR.
• 4/15: QRT-PCR code finished.
• 4/22: Setup is ready for QRT-PCR. (i.e., the mechanical setup works)
• 4/29: Successful QRT-PCR from the side.
• 5/6: QRT-PCR from the top. Now which one was better?

Progress Notes

3/20/11

Based on model system (blue LED + ND filter), I don't think gain is high enough. Increased gain of transimpedance amp from 2.5e4 to 2.5e5. Well, it didn't help that much. So it's back the way it was. In any case, we get a significant signal (~0.25 units amplitude) with the model system. Huzzah!

Okay now the temperature sensing is all wonky... all evidence points to my Steinhart Hart equation being wrong.

3/18/11

Optical setup appears to be working.

3/16/11

Added dichroic mirror.

Question: how can I verify the optical setup? it seems to respond to driving signal, not fluorescence.

TODO: put away 25mm lens