A major concern for researchers conducting electrophysiology experiments is the vibration which occurs when switching objectives and the resulting interference this can cause to the specimens and adjacent equipment. To solve this problem, Olympus introduces a concept – the provision of an intermediate magnification changer in combination with the High NA long working distance 20x objective that allows the user to switch between low and high magnifications without the need to switch objectives.

IR-DIC observation, trigeminal motor neuron, Tomio Inoue Ph.D, Department of Oral Physiology, Showa University

The 20x water immersion objective (XLUMPLFLN20xW) makes high-resolution observation possible with a wide range of intermediate magnification lenses. Since exchanges between low and high magnification are performed through the intermediate magnification changer, vibration is reduced to a minimum and the usual concern about collisions between objectives and patch clamp electrodes is eliminated.

With the included 690 nm dichroic mirror in the WI-DPMC, fluorescence light is sent to the front port, and IR-DIC light is sent to the back port allowing two cameras to image simultaneously with no vibration introduced by light path selection. IR-DIC observation is compatible with 775 nm and 900 nm wavelengths.

The WI-DPMC rear camera port includes a 2 position intermediate magnification selector. A high magnification 4x intermediate lens is included and a (0.25x or 0.35x) low magnification lens is optional. High or low magnification selection is via a single lever with no click-stops or detents allowing a specimen to be scanned and measured with minimal disturbance from vibration.
*Available for 0.5x, 1x and 2x intermediate magnification lenses by special order.

All click-stops, as when selecting between camera and observation modes, can be adjusted to have no click and thus no vibration.

Thanks to precisely aberration-compensated IR-DIC optics, covering visible, 775 nm and 900nm wavelength near infrared light, the clarity of images observed under near infrared light has been further improved, allowing clear observation of deep sections of brain slices.

When using a Senarmont equipped condenser, all contrast adjustments are performed with the 1/4 wave plate below the condenser, thus eliminating the risk of bumping the stage, specimen, manipulators or nosepiece.

Suitable for use in visible and 775 nm to 900 nm near-infrared light, the U-UCD8 universal condenser is a high NA, short working distance condenser offering improved contrast in nerve cell observations, for example. The WI-UCD and WI-DICD offer solutions to various samples which needs long working distance.

Olympus has developed an oblique condenser (WI-OBCD) whose long working distance enables the angles of shadow to be altered through 360 degrees without moving the specimen. Requiring no additional accessories, oblique illumination is easy to set up and control. Plastic dishes (normally unsuitable for all types of DIC) are easy to image with oblique illumination. The oblique illumination slit aperture is variable in size and on a slider allowing quick changeover.

WI-OBCD

Dipping objectives designed with long working distances and special angles. Developed for experiments in electrophysiology.

Click here for the details on LUMPLFLN-W Series

2x and 4x low magnification fluorescence objectives and a special GFP observation mirror unit are available. The objectives have a long working distance for maximum flexibility.

The XLUMPLFLN20×W objective, with its high NA,