These super apochromat objectives provide spherical and chromatic aberration compensation and high transmission from the visible to the near infrared. Using silicone oil or water immersion media, which have refractive indexes closely matching that of live cells, they achieve high-resolution imaging deep in living tissue.

This super-corrected apochromat objective corrects a broad range of color aberrations to provide images that capture fluorescence in the proper location. Delivering a high degree of correction for lateral and axial chromatic aberration in 2D and 3D images, it offers reliability and accuracy for colocalization analysis.

MENUHomeAbout usReno Office Carson City OfficeServicesContact LensesSHOP CONTACT LENSESEye Glass LensesFramesBlogContact Us

Microscope objectives come in a range of designs, including apochromat, semi-apochromat, and achromat, among others. Our expansive collection of microscope objectives suits a wide variety of life science applications and observation methods. Explore our selection below to find a microscope objective that meets your needs. You can also use our Objective Finder tool to compare options and locate the ideal microscope objective for your application.

Refractive index glasstypes

These semi-apochromat and achromat objectives are designed for integrated phase contrast observation of cell cultures. They are used in combination with a pre-centered phase contrast slider (CKX3-SLP), eliminating centering adjustments when changing the objective magnification.

Objective lenses are responsible for primary image formation, determining the quality of the image produced and controlling the total magnification and resolution. They can vary greatly in design and quality.

Remember that car mileage metaphor from before? That’s a very generalized explanation. Honestly, it goes even beyond eyewear! The refractive index is a measurement of how light travels through any given material.

The ocular lens is located at the top of the eyepiece tube where you position your eye during observation, while the objective lens is located closer to the sample. The ocular lens generally has a low magnification but works in combination with the objective lens to achieve greater magnification power. It magnifies the magnified image already captured by the objective lens. While the ocular lens focuses purely on magnification, the objective lens performs other functions, such as controlling the overall quality and clarity of the microscope image.

Refractive indexof Perspex

For relief contrast observation of living cells, including oocytes, in plastic vessels, our universal semi-apochromat objectives feature a long working distance. These also provide high image flatness and high transmission up to the near-infrared region.

For phase contrast observation of cell cultures, these universal semi-apochromat objectives provide long working distances and flat images with high transmission up to the near-infrared region. They help you achieve clear images of culture specimens regardless of the thickness and material of the vessel.

Optimized for polarized light microscopy, these semi-apochromat objectives provide flat images with high transmission up to the near-infrared region of the spectrum. They are designed to minimize internal strain to meet the requirements of polarization, Nomarski DIC, brightfield, and fluorescence applications.

These apochromat objectives are dedicated to Fura-2 imaging that features high transmission of 340 nm wavelength light, which works well for calcium imaging with Fura-2 fluorescent dye. They perform well for fluorescence imaging through UV excitation.

These extended apochromat objectives offer high NA, wide homogenous image flatness, 400 nm to 1000 nm chromatic aberration compensation, and the ability to observe phase contrast. Use them to observe transparent and colorless specimens such as live cells, biological tissues, and microorganisms.

To clean a microscope objective lens, first remove the objective lens and place it on a flat surface with the front lens facing up. Use a blower to remove any particles without touching the lens. Then fold a piece of lens paper into a narrow triangular shape. Moisten the pointed end of the paper with small amount of lens cleaner and place it on the lens. Wipe the lens in a spiral cleaning motion starting from the lens’ center to the edge. Check your work for any remaining residue with an eyepiece or loupe. If needed, repeat this wiping process with a new lens paper until the lens is clean. Important: never wipe a dry lens, and avoid using abrasive or lint cloths and facial or lab tissues. Doing so can scratch the lens surface. Find more tips on objective lens cleaning in our blog post, 6 Tips to Properly Clean Immersion Oil off Your Objectives.

A quick experiment at home: fill a drinking glass with water and then dip a pencil into it. You’ll notice by looking at the glass from the side how the pencil in the water seems disconnected from the pencil above the water. It’s the same pencil, but light bends in water, causing the pencil to look different. This is refraction!

For clinical research requiring polarized light microscopy and pathology training, these achromat objectives enable transmitted polarized light observation at an affordable cost.

Refractive indexof lens

Refractive indexof air

These extended apochromat objectives offers a high numerical aperture (NA), wide homogenous image flatness, and 400 nm to 1000 nm chromatic aberration compensation. They enable high-resolution, bright image capture for a range of applications, including brightfield, fluorescence, and confocal super resolution microscopy.

These semi-apochromat long-working distance water-dipping objectives for electrophysiology deliver flat images for DIC and fluorescence imaging from the visible range to the near-infrared. Their high NA and low magnification enables bright, precise macro/micro fluorescence imaging for samples such as brain tissue.

Enabling tissue culture observation through bottles and dishes, these universal semi-apochromat objectives feature a long working distance and high contrast and resolution. Providing flat images and high transmission up to the NIR region, they are well suited for brightfield, DIC, and fluorescence observation.

Light is refracted differently in certain materials. The way it refracts in water is different from how it refracts in plastic or glass. It all depends on the material and the density of said material of what the light is hitting. The refractive index measures how efficient this refraction is. The higher the number on the index, the slower light travels through the medium, the more the light is bent, and ultimately – the more efficient the refraction is. For the use in eyewear, a higher score on the index means less material needs to be used to achieve a desired effect.

Refractive indexof vacuum

Designed for phase contrast observation of cell cultures in transmitted light, these achromat objectives combine field flatness and easy focusing with cost efficiency. They are well suited for routine microscopy demands.

Like any technology, understanding and refining refractive index will only advance. The glasses we have today will seem archaic in the future, simply because technology is always improving. By understanding the refractive index, scientists can look for more ways eyewear can be innovated.

Designed for clinical research and routine examination work in the laboratory, these achromat objectives provide the level of field flatness required for fluorescence, darkfield, and brightfield observation in transmitted light.

Designed for clinical research and routine examination in labs using phase contrast illumination, these achromat objectives offer excellent field flatness.

So, no, you probably don’t need high index lenses. But when we examine your eyes and begin testing prescriptions, it’s good for us to know what materials are available for your ultimate comfort. Afterall, you’re going to be wearing your glasses all the time! If they aren’t comfortable, then something’s not right. But thanks to improvements in lens materials and having high index options, we can provide you with a best-fitting option that is both comfortable to wear and offer better vision.

Offering our highest numerical aperture values, these apochromat objectives are optimized for high-contrast TIRF and super resolution imaging. Achieve wide flatness with the UPLAPO-HR objectives’ high NA, enabling  real-time super resolution imaging of live cells and micro-organelles.

Refractive indexof plastic

If you’ll recall from our last blog, we dipped a little into the science behind choosing the right lens materials. Each material has something unique to offer and has its own properties, but one of the primary ways they can be deemed good enough to meet the standard of prescriptive lenses is by its placement on the refractive index.

Not only that, but understanding the index means current eyewear lenses can be picked out by a patient and favored for their prescription. It allows for us to make better recommendations and more accurate readings for what a patient needs to gain perfect vision.

This semi-apochromat objective series provides flat images and high transmission up to the near-infrared region of the spectrum. Acquiring sharp, clear images without color shift, they offer the desired quality and performance for fluorescence, brightfield, and Nomarksi DIC observations.

First, higher doesn’t always mean the lens is better. The refractive index is only one part of the equation. Other things like Abbe values (the amount of distortion or aberrations) and optics play a vital role in determining if any given material will perform more or less than any other material.

Designed for low-magnification, macro fluorescence observation, this semi-apochromat objective offers a long working distance, a high NA, and high transmission of 340 nm wavelength light.

Optimized for multiphoton excitation imaging, these objectives achieve high-resolution 3D imaging through fluorescence detection at a focal point of a large field of view. They enable high-precision imaging of biological specimens to a depth of up to 8 mm for in vivo and transparent samples.

Sometimes a higher index isn’t always the best solution, either. Sure, it’s good to know it exists, but high index lenses aren’t really necessary for most prescription lenses. CR-39, Polycarbonate, and Trivex all offer spectacular lens options without having a 1.60 score like our high index lenses do. It’s all about finding what fits best, without overdoing it.

Refractive indexof water

These semi-apochromat objectives enable phase contrast observation while providing a high level of resolution, contrast, and flatness for unstained specimens.

Refractive indexof diamond

For use without a coverslip or cover glass, these objectives prevent image deterioration even under high magnification, making them well suited for blood smear specimens. They also feature extended flatness and high chromatic aberration correction.

For high-performance macro-observation, these apochromat objectives provide sharp, clear, flat images without color shift, achieving high transmission up to the near-infrared region of the spectrum. They perform well for fluorescence, brightfield, and Nomarksi DIC observations.

It seems like a small change, going from 1.5 to 1.6. But that one-tenth decimal is the difference between having coke bottle glasses and something more modern and lightweight. This is especially nice for people who require a stronger prescription. Stronger prescriptions traditionally mean the patient needs thicker glasses in order to see 20⁄20. But with these improvements in the refractive index, someone with a strong prescription can achieve 20⁄20 vision with thinner and lighter glasses.

Unsure of what microscope objective is right for you? Use our guide on selecting the right microscope objective to weigh your options.

Many microscopes have several objective lenses that you can rotate the nosepiece to view the specimen at varying magnification powers. Usually, you will find multiple objective lenses on a microscope, consisting of 1.25X to 150X.

For relief contrast observation of living cells, including oocytes, in plastic vessels using transmitted light, these achromat objectives provide excellent field flatness.