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Microscope Objective lenses is the most important part of a microscope and plays a central role in imaging an object onto the human eye or an image sensor for discerning the object’s detail. Microscope objectives are ideal for a range of science research, industrial, and general lab applications. Microscope objectives are typically composed of multiple lens elements and located closest to the object. Microscope objectives include infinite conjugate (infinite corrected) and finite conjugate, and these lenses are available in a range of magnifications from 2X to 200X.
There are many types of microscope objectives for covering a wide variety of applications. The most basic and least expensive objectives, like you might find in a school science classroom, are achromatic objectives. Apochromatic objectives, on the other hand, provide a professional-grade level for aberration correction and feature comparatively high resolution. Most microscopes are equipped with multiple objectives with different magnifications, so specimens or samples can be examined with sufficient resolution. For example, high numerical aperture (NA) is crucial for high-resolution imaging as it determines the amount of light entering the objective lens. The refractive index of the medium between the objective and object is critical in determining the working numerical aperture and also the resolution of a microscope objective. Objective numerical aperture can be dramatically increased by designing the objective to be used with an immersion medium, such as oil and water.
Microscope objectives are widely used in all sorts of applications including medical, scientific research, and industrial fields.
Learn more about objective lenses by visiting our Deep Dive into Optics blog.
Objective lenses provide the base magnifications and can be divided into many types based on lens configurations, optical aberration corrections, and applications. Most important specifications are marked on the barrel of the objective, so either students or researchers can easily identify the properties of an objective and determine the working conditions for proper use.
For precision imaging and scientific research, high-quality objectives are needed to produce high-resolution images with low distortion and high contrast. The intermediate image is the image formed by the objective lens before it reaches the eyepiece or camera, and it should be clear and well-resolved for accurate analysis. The refractive index of the medium between the objective and object is critical in determining the working numerical aperture and also the resolution of a microscope objective. Objective numerical aperture can be dramatically increased by designing the objective to be used with an immersion medium, such as oil and water.
Shanghai Optics offers many types of pre-engineered objectives including plan achromatic objectives, plan fluorite objectives, plan apochromatic objectives, and super apochromatic objectives for a wide range of applications. In many cases, custom microscope objectives are the best option for special applications.
Shanghai Optics’ apochromatic microscope objectives provide better corrections for both spherical and chromatic aberrations in a flat field of focus and have a high transmission from the visible to the near-infrared region. These objectives are designed for use in different immersion media such as air/dry, water or oil.
Shanghai Optics’ super apochromatic microscope objectives are designed for the most demanding research applications. Super apochromatic microscope objectives offer exceptional apochromatic correction and deliver diffraction-limited performance in the visible region. These objectives are designed for use in different immersion media such as air/dry, water or oil.
Click on the image to learn more about Apochromatic (APO) Objectives & Super Apochromatic (SAPO) Objectives
Shanghai Optics provides custom microscope objective lenses for researchers and OEMs who require a solution that is beyond the capability of off-the-shelf microscope objective lenses. Custom objectives are designed to meet the performance needs at specific imaging conditions such as thicker/thinner cover glass, large working distance, etc. Utilizing advanced optical design software and world-class manufacturing techniques, Shanghai Optics designs and manufactures microscope objectives to meet customers’ specific needs in efficient and economical ways.
Major microscope manufacturers offer a wide range of objective designs to cater to various applications and requirements in different fields. Construction techniques and materials used to manufacture objectives have greatly improved, leading to better performance and durability.
Top-quality glasses with high refractive index and low dispersion are used for reducing chromatic and other aberrations such as coma, astigmatism, geometrical distortion, field curvature, and spherical aberration. Individual internal single element lenses are precisely engineered and assembled to enhance the overall quality and performance of the objectives.
Click on the image to learn more about Custom Microscope Objectives
Sometimes budget and time restraint can hinder the chance to utilize complete custom optics in your project. Selecting a pre-engineered lens or modifying a pre-engineered lens to fit your specific requirements can be a good solution. Shanghai Optics (S.O) offers a wide selection of pre-engineered microscope objectives including industrial objectives, biological objectives, and metallurgical objectives at all different magnifications.
Industrial objectives are primarily used in industrial microscopes that are powerful tools of inspecting materials, component structures, sub-assemblies, assemblies, and finished products for quality controls. Biological objectives are primarily used in biological microscopes that are scientific instruments for research and diagnostics of biological specimens in research institutes, universities, and hospitals. Metallurgical objectives are primarily used in metallurgical microscopes to examine objects with shiny, or metal, or other opaque surfaces for scientific research and industrial applications. Mechanical tube length is another critical factor, as it determines the distance between the objective lens and the eyepiece, affecting the overall magnification and image quality.
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An inside look at Shanghai Optics’ Custom Objective Lens Assembly Process.
A look at Shanghai Optics’ Custom Infrared (IR) Objective Lens Assembly Process.
Though the specific steps vary depending on the type of the objective needed, microscope objectives are generally produced using the following process:
Shanghai Optics design and manufacture various standard microscope objectives and also custom microscope objectives for meeting customers’ specific needs. With various types of advanced in-house manufacturing and testing equipment, we can produce both prototypes and large quantities of precision microscope objectives in an economic and fast way.
To address special custom needs such as high N.A. or long working distance or special coatings, Shanghai Optics make cost-effective solutions available to customers.
With more than 55 years of optical design and manufacturing experience in precision lenses, Shanghai Optics is highly qualified to help engineers, researchers, scientists and microscope manufacturers with microscopy and imaging challenges. Our optical engineering consultants can help design custom microscope objectives that meet your needs, and our production team can manufacture the lenses with high quality in very efficient and economic manners.
We provide first article inspection and follow ISO 9001 standards to ensure the lenses meet or beyond your expectations for performance. If you want to bring the advantages of high-quality microscope lenses to your project or workplace, request a free quote from S.O. today.