Objective lens microscopefunction

We hope this list of microscope objective specifications was helpful! Be sure to bookmark it for easy reference when selecting an objective lens. If you are unsure about choosing an objective lens or have any questions, feel free to contact us. We can help you select the best objective based on factors such as sample type, imaging technique, numerical aperture, and desired magnification.

In addition to the name of the objective lens, information on the numerical aperture (NA), magnification, cover glass thickness, immersion liquid, and objective field number (OFN) is provided on the exterior of the objective lens. Below is an example of the UPLXAPO100XO objective that explains how to read these specifications.

For life science, we’ll use the objective lens called UPLXAPO100XOPH as an example. You can understand the optical performance from the objective lens name by dividing the name into six parts, 1 through 6. Below is an overview, and we’ll explain each part in the following six sections.

The correction range for chromatic aberration in objectives differs for each code. The level of chromatic aberration improves in the order of ACH, FL, APO, SAPO, and XAPO. If chromatic aberration is well corrected, sharp fluorescence images with no out-of-focus areas can be obtained for each color even in multicolor observation using fluorescent reagents covering a wide band.

What are the3objectivelenseson a microscope

ACH = achromat. Excellent correction of chromatic aberration in two colors (blue and red). FL = semi-apochromat. Excellent correction of chromatic aberration in three colors (blue, green, and red). APO = apochromat. Corrects the chromatic aberration of three colors (blue, green, and red) better than FL.

DIC observation* is possible due to features such as the pupil position that matches the microscope system from Evident. In addition, it has good transmittance at 365 nm (the U excitation wavelength) and has low autofluorescence, enabling fluorescence observation by U excitation.

In this post, we’ll share how to read the optical performance from the name of a microscope objective so that you can easily find the correct objective lens for your application. As our objective lenses for life science and industrial applications have different naming rules, we’ll discuss how to read the specifications for each field.

This is where microscope objective specifications come in. These specifications tell you the optical performance, such as magnification, aberration correction, and other parameters. You don’t have to look far to find them—in fact, our specifications are listed as a code within the objective lens name! This makes it easy to distinguish between objective types at a glance.

L = long working distance objective lens. This is an objective lens with a long working distance (the distance from the tip of the objective lens to the specimen surface when focused). In general, there is a trade-off between resolution and working distance. If you want space between the objective lens and the sample, or if you want to observe deep parts, give priority to working distance over resolution.

This code indicates whether it is a dry objective lens used for observation without immersion liquid or an immersion objective lens for observation using immersion liquid. In the case of immersion objectives, the liquid used is represented by the symbol O for oil or W for water.

Our TECHSPEC® Fluorescence Filter Sets are designed to provide brilliant images when integrated into a fluorescence microscope. The high transmission of the bandpass filters guarantees the brightest possible images, while the deep blocking ensures no unwanted light gets to the detector. This ensures images will be brighter and will have much greater signal-to-noise than what is commonly available with soft coated, evaporated filters. TECHSPEC Fluorescence Filter Sets are ideal for fluorescence microscopy or fluorescence imaging applications and are available for common fluorescent dyes and fluorescent proteins. Additionally these filters are also used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic instruments.

Types ofobjectivelenses

What are the objective lens on a microscopeexplain

Like the life science objectives, industrial objectives marked PL or Plan are corrected for field curvature at the periphery of the field of view. This objective type is particularly suitable for imaging because it can focus not only on the center of the field of view but also on the periphery. This enables you to obtain a flat image from the center to the edge.

Makoto Kuwano has been in charge of microscope product development for 12 years at Evident. He currently works in the Optical Development Division, where he is involved in optical design of objective lenses, development of component products, and development of measurement techniques for product performance. He holds a Master of Science degree from Tohoku University in Japan.

Objective lensmagnification

Objectives with PL or Plan are corrected for field curvature at the periphery of the field. This objective type is particularly suitable for imaging because it can focus not only on the center of the field of view but also on the periphery. This enables you to obtain a flat image from the center to the edge.

Note that SAPO and XAPO are Evident's original names that indicate the grade of chromatic aberration. Detailed definitions of ACH, FL, and APO are described in ISO, so please refer to ISO19012-2.

High powerobjective microscopefunction

*The objective may work with other observation methods not expressed in the code, including brightfield (reflected), brightfield (transmitted), darkfield (reflected), darkfield (transmitted), DIC (reflected), DIC (transmitted), phase contrast, relief contrast, polarization, fluorescence (B/G excitation), UV fluorescence (at 365 nm), multiphoton, total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRF), and infrared (IR). Please refer to our website for the full objective specifications.

ACH = achromat. Excellent correction of chromatic aberration in two colors (blue and red). FL = semi-apochromat. Excellent correction of chromatic aberration in three colors (blue, green, and red).  APO = apochromat. Corrects the chromatic aberration of three colors (blue, green, and red) better than FL. SAPO = super apochromat. Good correction of chromatic aberration in the visible to infrared range (435 to 1000 nm). XAPO = extended apochromat. Good correction of chromatic aberration in the visible to infrared range (400–1000 nm).

Objective lensfunction

The correction range for chromatic aberration differs for each code. There are three types, ACH, FL, and APO, and the chromatic aberration performance is defined in the same way as the objective lenses for life science.

Just like the life science objectives, the number before the X in industrial objectives represents the magnification of the objective when combined with a tube lens from Evident with a focal length of 180 mm. Evident offers objectives with magnifications ranging from 1.25–150X.

High powerobjective lens

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We will use the MPLFLN100XBD objective lens as an example in the industrial field. Note that some of the specifications are the same as those of objective lenses for life science. For industrial objectives, you can understand the objective lens name at a glance by dividing it into five parts, 1 through 5.

Filter sets are listed with the most common fluorophores. For a full list of compatible fluorophores with each set, view Fluorophores and Optical Filters for Fluorescence Microscopy. TECHSPEC Fluorescence Filter Sets are available pre-mounted in Olympus or Nikon Filter Cubes.

U = universal objective lens. This objective lens achieves a high level of basic performance in terms of both differential interference performance and fluorescence performance capable of U excitation. It can be used for brightfield observation and fluorescence observation by blue/green (B/G) excitation, as well as for differential interference contrast (DIC) observation and fluorescence observation by U excitation.

Objective lenses are crucial to a microscope’s performance as they affect the quality of the formed image. Evident offers more than 200 types of objective lenses to suit a wide range of imaging requirements in life science and industry. With so many options available, you might be wondering which objective is best for your work.

The code M stands for metal, and it is an objective lens for observation without a cover glass. In addition, the following codes are used according to the length of the working distance and optical performance.

The number before the X represents the magnification of the objective when combined with a tube lens from Evident with a focal length of 180 mm. Evident offers objectives with magnifications ranging from 1.25–150X.

Fluorescence filter sets include an Excitation and Emission filter from our TECHSPEC® Fluorescence Bandpass Filters and a Dichroic filter from our TECHSPEC® Dichroic Filters. Excitation filters are placed within the illumination path of fluorescence microscopes to pass only wavelengths within the excitation range of the fluorophore under inspection. Emission filters are placed within the imaging path of a fluorescence microscope to pass only wavelengths within the emission range of the fluorophore. Dichroic filters are placed in between the excitation filter and the emission filter to reflect the excitation signal towards the fluorophore while transmitting the emission signal to the detector.

*The objective may work with other observation methods not expressed in the code, including brightfield (reflected), brightfield (transmitted), darkfield (reflected), darkfield (transmitted), DIC (reflected), DIC (transmitted), phase contrast, relief contrast, polarization, fluorescence (B/G excitation), UV fluorescence (at 365 nm), multiphoton, total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRF), and infrared (IR). Please refer to our website for the full objective specifications.

M = metal (no cover) LM = long working distance for metal SLM = Super long working distance for metal MX = high NA and long working distance for metal

Our website provides a wide range of technical content and product information about our microscope objective lenses. For more details, simply refer to the following links:

The TECHSPEC® Fluorescence Filter Set for mCherry Fluorescence Protein features an excitation filter, an emission filter, and a dichroic filter that complement the mCherry spectrum. The excitation filter passes wavelengths within the mCherry excitation/absorption spectrum with a range of 542 - 582nm while the emission filter passes wavelengths within the mCherry emission spectrum with a range of 603 - 678nm.