Leica Objectives Superior Optics for Confocal and Multiphoton Research Microscopy

Working "with the user, for the user" (Ernst Leitz I, 1843-1920) describes our drive to innovate and the success of Leica Microsystems for over 160 years. Leica TCS 4D - First First use of AOTF four-detector confocal for for laser modulation multi-dye applications in a confocal Leica Microsystems: Optics for Your Discoveries We have designed and produced superior optics for a wide variety of applications in research, industry, and medicine for more than 160 years. Today, the innovation power of our optics designers and the experience and expertise of our precision optical engineers come together...

AOBS - First reprogrammable beam splitter Leica TCS SP5 - Broadband confocal with the first switchable tandem scanner Leica TCS SP5 X - First white light laser confocal with tunable VIS excitation Leica TCS SP8 - New confocal platform, modular system Leica TCS SP5 MP Leica TCS SP8 STED 3X - Fast with OPO, excitation and direct super-resolution X blue objectives optimized for 405 nm excitation First motCORR objectives with motorized correction collar I IRAPO objectives with color correction up to 1300 nm HC PLAPO STED WHITE with superior broadband color correction First motCORR for objectives...

Magnification/ — Numerical Aperture Immersion Correction Collar Confocal Scanning Correction Collar Objective Class

Leica objectives comply with

High Numerical Aperture for Best Resolution Numerical aperture and wavelength directly influence the resolving power of a microscope. Resolution improves with higher numerical apertures and lower wavelengths. NUMERICAL APERTURE POINT SPREAD FUNCTION The numerical aperture (NA) of an objective is described by The point spread function (PSF) describes how an imaging the sine of the half-angle α of the maximum cone of light that system represents a point object in three dimensions. The PSF can enter or exit the lens multiplied by the refractive index n of a fluorescence microscope is dependent on...

Rayleigh Limit LATERAL RESOLUTION AXIAL RESOLUTION AND OPTICAL SECTION THICKNESS For a rough estimation of the resolving power of a fluores- The volume of the PSF is not only restricted horizontally in cence microscope in x and y, applying the Rayleigh criterion the focus plane but also vertically along the optical axis of is usually sufficient. Here, the maximum of the Airy disk of the microscope (z). The axial resolution of a microscope system one point overlaps with the first minimum of the Airy disk is worse than its lateral resolution, approximately by a factor of the second point (left,...

Highly Corrected Optics for Better Images Precise optical design and high manufacturing standards ensure that the imaging errors inherent in every optical system are reduced to a minimum. SPHERICAL ABERRATIONS FIELD CURVATURE Spherical aberration is the dominant Field curvature is a monochromatic imaging error that needs to be corrected aberration that causes the optimal focus in high numerical aperture optics. position to vary with the image point An objective with spherical aberrations position. It increases quadratically with the distance between the image point and the center of field. As...

AXIAL COLOR LATERAL COLOR Axial color causes the optimal focus Lateral chromatic aberration causes the position to vary with the wavelength. magnification to vary with the This aberration occurs in the center of wavelength. It increases linearly with field and remains constant over the the distance between the image point whole field of view. In polychromatic applications this Image points near the edge of the field aberration causes a loss of contrast, show a distinctive colored smearing for colored fringes and a best focus which the human eye is very sensitive. In quantitative applications,...

It’s All About Color Preparing your specimen for microscopy is only the first step to a stunning image. Choosing the best objective for your purpose should be done with as much care. Besides magnification and numerical aperture, the appropriate color correction is crucial. Apochromatic Color Correction Apochromats allow the image resolution to reach the diffraction limit over a wide range of wavelengths. For fluorescence imaging, 1.0 all excitation and detection wavelengths must be included to ensure that image resolution is as high as physically possible. For optimal colocalization, superior...

Highest Specifications for Confocal Scanning The apochromatic Leica CS2 objectives are optimized for confocal scanning (CS). Their color correction is outstanding over the whole field of view for precise colocalization of different fluorophores. In particular the lateral color has been further improved over the previous PL APO CS series. The design of the CS2 objectives goes hand in hand with the innovative UV optics of the Leica TCS SP8, to give the most stable UV color correction. Specialized objectives developed for 355 nm excitation or STED super-resolution microscopy are part of the CS2...

Matching Objective Immersion and Specimen In addition to the objective itself, the refractive indices of all optical elements between the specimen and the front lens of the objective have a major influence on the image quality. Ideally, they should match the refractive index the objective has been designed for. This has to be kept in mind when choosing an objective and immersion medium for a certain application. OIL: STANDARD FOR FIXED SAMPLES GLYCEROL: THE OPTIMUM FOR MOUNTED SPECIMENS WATER: PERFECT MATCH FOR LIVE CELL IMAGING AND THICK SPECIMENS Immersion oil is designed to match the refractive...

Background: Abbe Number For multicolor imaging, the dispersion of the immersion medium should not Immersion objectives labelled with IMM The specialists – special purpose are either for use with multiple immersion immersion objectives: variation of the refractive index with media like water, glycerol and oil or for specialized immersion media with VISIR for CLARITY-treated specimen refractive indices varying from the s ­ tandard immersion media. Abbe number. The Abbe number of a medium should match the objective design, other­ - The generalists – Leica multi-immersion wise chromatic aberrations...