The Nucleus® MVR Microscope's Modular Optical Path
By Mike Fussell, Marketing Team
Published on Feb. 25, 2022
The Nucleus MVR inverted epifluorescence microscope has a modular optical path giving you the freedom to expand your imaging capabilities. In addition to the standard epifluorescence optical path, an optional junction block can provide an additional entry port into the microscope's infinity corrected space. This flexible modularity is a hallmark of the Nucleus automated microscopy platform which provides a complete set of interchangeable hardware modules and software tools for building your bespoke inverted or upright standalone microscope or optical subsystem.
Optical Path
The default optical path of the Nucleus MVR inverted microscope provides a single port into the infinity corrected space. This is typically used as the illumination port for epifluorescence microscopy. This illumination port is compatible with the common SM1 tube lens standard. This simplifies the development of customized, application-specific illumination from widely available off the shelf hardware. The X-FCR06 filter cube turret enables rapid switching of up to six Zeiss "push and click" filter cubes. To support applications requiring an additional port into the infinity corrected space, you can select this as an option when configuring your MVR microscope.
Figure 1: Schematic of MVR optical path showing positions of additional dichroic and filter added with the MJB25 junction block.
MJB25 Junction Block
MJB25 adds an additional fixed dichroic mirror and filter between the filter cube and the objective. Options are available to mount filters using either an SM1 retaining ring or a nylon tipped set screw.
In order to accommodate the MJB25, the X-LDA focus stage must be raised by 35 mm relative to its standard location. The additional distance between the objective lens and filter cube may result in vignetting (reduced intensity near the periphery of the image) when high N.A. (0.80 or greater) objective lenses are used.
Figure 2: MJB25 junction block adds an additional port into the infinity corrected space of the MVR microscope's optical path.