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  | Frequently asked questions about... |
 | Optics | |
| Lasers | |
| Hardware and Positioners | |
| Laser Beam & Spectral Measurement | |
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| Microscope Components | |
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| Will your microscope objectives/eyepieces work with my microscope body? Will your microscope body work with my microscope objectives/eyepieces?
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There are two main properties to keep in mind when choosing microscope components: objective mounting thread and mechanical tube length. Melles Griot microscope objectives all have an RMS threaded (0.8 in., 36 TPI) interface. This standard thread is used on our microscope bodies as well as on many other commercial microscopes. Check the documentation that came with your microscope body or objective.
Our standard visible and infrared microscope objectives and eyepieces are designed for a mechanical tube length of 160 mm. The mechanical tube length is the distance between the end of the tube you insert the eyepiece into and the shoulder of the objective. Both the eyepiece and objective should be designed for this spacing to perform at the specified magnification. | |
| What is the difference between standard objectives and infinite-conjugate objectives?
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Finite-conjugate objectives form an intermediate image within the microscope body. Infinite-conjugate objectives do not, therefore they require a tube lens between the objective and the eyepiece to create a viewable image. There is a brief application note about this in our most recent catalog (Catalog X) on page 17.12, or on the last page of this PDF:
Microscope Objectives | |
| What do the numbers on a microscope objective mean?
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| Most standard microscope objectives will have two sets of numbers in this format:
160/0.17 4/0.12 160 is the mechanical tube length (in mm) for which the objective is designed. For an explanation of mechanical tube length, please see the previous FAQs. 0.17 is the thickness (in mm) of a glass cover slip that the objective is corrected for when being used for examining a biological specimen. 4 is the magnification (in this example, 4×). 0.12 is the numerical aperture (NA) of the objective. | |
| What is the usable spectral range of the infinite-conjugate laser microscope objectives?
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The objectives are designed for Nd:YAG wavelengths (1064 nm and 532 nm); however they transmit light from 250 nm to 1.6 µm.
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