Zolix Standard & Specialty Microscope Objectives

Overview

Zolix microscope objectives are precision optical components engineered for high-fidelity imaging and quantitative analysis in research-grade optical laboratory systems. Designed to meet ISO 10110 and JIS B 7131 standards for optical surface quality and wavefront fidelity, these objectives employ rigorous aberration correction strategies—including achromatic doublet design for visible-light applications and reflective Schwarzschild or off-axis parabolic configurations for broadband UV–IR operation. The standard line features a 4/5″ (M26 × 0.705 mm) thread mount—compatible with Zolix’s OMMBWJ-1AT modular microscope base, APSF13-1AT spatial filter, and APFP-W-XY precision XY stage—ensuring mechanical and optical interoperability across integrated optical workstations. All objectives maintain a fixed 195 mm tube lens conjugate distance and 45 mm parfocal distance, enabling seamless magnification scaling without refocusing across the objective turret.

Key Features

• Achromatic correction optimized for 400–700 nm spectral range, minimizing lateral chromatic shift and spherical aberration at the image plane
• Standardized M26 × 0.705 mm mounting thread compliant with international microscope mechanical interface specifications
• Consistent 45 mm parfocal length and 195 mm mechanical tube length across all standard objectives for multi-objective interchangeability
• Long-working-distance (LWD) variants available with two standardized parfocal distances: 45 mm and 95 mm—enabling integration into inverted, upright, or custom optical path layouts
• UV- and IR-optimized objectives featuring fused silica substrates, MgF₂ anti-reflection coatings, and broadband Al+MgF₂ reflective stacks for 350 nm–7 µm coverage
• Reflective Schwarzschild objectives with <36% central obscuration, delivering diffraction-limited performance free from chromatic dispersion over ultrabroadband spectra

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

Zolix objectives support routine use with standard No. 1.5 cover glasses (0.17 mm thickness) and are validated for compliance with ASTM E284–22 (Standard Terminology of Appearance), ISO 8578 (Microscopes — Mechanical Tube Length), and ISO 19012–1 (Microscopes — Designation of Objectives). LWD and UV/NIR models include calibrated focus depth and field-of-view data traceable to NIST-traceable interferometric verification. Reflective objectives meet MIL-PRF-13830B scratch-dig specifications and operate under Class 100 cleanroom handling protocols. All products conform to RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and REACH Annex XVII restrictions on hazardous substances.

Software & Data Management

While Zolix objectives are passive optical components, their performance parameters—including numerical aperture (NA), working distance, depth of focus, and field number—are fully documented in machine-readable format (CSV/JSON) and integrated into Zolix’s LabConfig™ optical system configurator. This tool enables automated compatibility checking against selected tube lenses, cameras, and illumination sources. Objective metadata supports GLP-compliant audit trails when used with Zolix acquisition software (e.g., ZCam Control v4.2+), which logs objective ID, magnification, and NA in TIFF/OME-TIFF headers per frame—satisfying FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records in regulated laboratories.

Applications

• Confocal and widefield fluorescence microscopy requiring precise NA-matched excitation/emission collection
• Laser micromanipulation setups where long working distance (>10 mm) is essential for objective–sample clearance during optical trapping
• UV lithography alignment and inspection using 355 nm YAG harmonics, leveraging NUV-optimized transmission and minimal wavefront error
• Infrared spectroscopic imaging (2.5–5 µm) enabled by reflective Schwarzschild objectives with broadband aluminum-magnesium fluoride coatings
• Ultrafast pump-probe experiments operating at 780 nm, where NIR-optimized objectives minimize group delay dispersion across the beam path
• Industrial metrology and semiconductor wafer inspection requiring flat-field correction and telecentricity control

FAQ

What is the mechanical tube length specification for Zolix standard objectives?
All standard achromatic objectives are designed for a 195 mm mechanical tube length and 45 mm parfocal distance, consistent with legacy DIN and JIS microscope standards.
Are Zolix reflective objectives suitable for femtosecond pulse applications?
Yes—Schwarzschild reflective designs exhibit negligible group delay dispersion (GDD) across 350–7000 nm, making them ideal for broadband ultrafast laser delivery and time-resolved microscopy.
Can I use a Zolix LWD objective with a standard 160 mm tube-length microscope?
No—Zolix LWD objectives require a 195 mm tube length; mechanical adapters or custom tube lenses are required for integration into non-standard optical trains.
Do UV-optimized objectives support immersion media?
No—NUV and NIR series objectives are dry objectives only; immersion use would compromise coating integrity and introduce uncorrected spherical aberration.
Is calibration data available for depth-of-focus and field curvature measurements?
Yes—NIST-traceable interferometric characterization reports (including Zernike polynomial coefficients and MTF curves) are provided upon request for all objective families.