(93ab) Completion of a Ma-Tiraf Microscope

This poster describes the completion of the development of a Multiple Angle Total Internal Reflection Aqueous Florescence (MA-TIRAF) Microscope. This microscope uses a laser to create an evanescent wave that illuminates a sample chamber filled with bacteria and a florescent fluid, an effect called total internal reflection aqueous fluorescence. The wave penetrates a maximum of 488 nm into the fluid, which is perfect to view the attachment of bacteria to a surface. Separation distances on the order of 2nm can be measured, allowing for accurate determination of surface adhesion forces. "Multiple angle" refers to the design which permits the laser's incident angle to vary during an experiment. This unique feature allows users to precisely control the illuminated depth, resulting in very high-resolution distance measurements.

Improvements to the microscope design included the addition of high precision screws and horizontal slides so that the laser will consistently strike the viewing area. Also, a new sample chamber was designed and built using stainless steel in order to keep the sample perfectly stationary. Finally, a light-trap was attached to the microscope to eliminate unwanted reflections. Preliminary images indicate that the microscope is operating as designed. Our eventual goal is to better understand how bacteria attach themselves to a surface in order to determine an effective method to remove them.