The Nucleus® MVR provides a reliable, scalable, and cost-effective foundation for automated imaging applications ranging from long-term live cell studies to high-throughput screening (HTS). It supports industry-standard objectives, filters, and cameras. It also includes a free, easy-to-use API that makes advanced automation and system integration straightforward.

Optical System

Your selection will determine your system’s compatibility with either Olympus, Zeiss, or Nikon objectives. The optical performance of all systems is equivalent. Objective lenses are not included.

For more information on optical system selection, please refer to our article.

Motorized Scanning Stage

Stage	Travel Range (mm x mm)	Repeatability (µm)	Capacity
X-ADR130B100B	130 x 100	0.5 (precision)	1 microplate 4 slides 1 petri dish
X-ADR250B100B	250 x 100	0.5 (precision)	2 microplates 8 slides
X-ASR100B120B	100 x 120	2 (standard)	1 microplate 4 slides 1 petri dish
X-ASR205B205B	205 x 205	2 (standard)	2 microplates 1 200 x 200 wafer
X-ASR305B305B	305 x 305	2 (standard)	6 microplates 1 300 x 300 wafer

Typically, our X-ADR130B100B or X-ASR100B120B stages are suitable for most customers and applications. The X-ADR is a direct drive motorized stage that features near-zero backlash and provides the best repeatability we can offer. The X-ASR is a more cost effective screw drive option that still allows for precise imaging of a single slide.

Stage travel is typically determined by the size of the sample being imaged. For a single microplate, slide or petri dish, 120 mm x 100 mm travel will be sufficient. For maximum walk-away time, the 305 mm x 305 mm ASR stage can hold up to six standard microplates.

For a complete explanation of specifications impacted by XY stage selection, see our article on XY stage selection.

Sample Holder Stage Insert

Stage	Microplates (qty)	Slides (qty)	Universal
X-ADR130B100B	AM109 (1)	AM242 (4)	AM108
X-ADR250B100B	AM230 (2)	AM231 (8)	❌
X-ASR100B120B	AM109 (1)	AM242 (4)	AM108
X-ASR205B205B	AM223 (2)	❌	❌
X-ASR305B305B	AM224 (6)	❌	❌

The configurator will automatically add in the correct stage insert based on your desired scanning targets.

Some motorized scanning stages will support a larger variety of stage inserts than others. For a complete explanation of specifications impacted by XY stage selection, see our article on XY stage selection

Epi-Illuminator

The epi-illuminator provides high intensity light matching the excitation wavelengths of many common fluorophores. Epi-fluorescence imaging requires the appropriate filter sets mounted in Zeiss "Push & Click" filter cubes. These must be purchased separately.

To use a third party light source for epi-illumination, select the MLG3A.

Epi-illuminator	Features
MLR3A-T13A	3-channel (385, 473, 568 nm)
MLR3B-T13A	3-channel (385, white, 625 nm)
MLG3A	3rd party adaptor - 3 mm core liquid light guide - supports field number of 20 mm

For additional information on epi-illumination, please refer to our article.

Transmitted Illuminator

Add an MLT transmitted illuminator for transmitted brightfield or phase contrast microscopy. Phase contrast objectives are required for phase contrast imaging. These can be added in the "Optional Accesories" when the transmitted illuminator is selected.

Customizations are available for transmitted illumination with the X-ASR205 and the X-ASR305. Scroll down to contact our engineering team for customizations.

Laser Hardware Autofocus

By default, the MVR system uses a software autofocus. Adding on an HL04 hardware autofocus improves the scanning speed in certain scenarios.

For a full explanation of the difference between laser (hardware) autofocus and camera (software) autofocus, see our autofocus methods compared article.

Additional Junction Block

The optional junction block provides an additional injection port in infinity space between the filter cube turret and the objective. This option is not available with the laser autofocus option, as that already takes up the additional injection port.

Please note: While most other Nucleus microscope modules can be user-installed, junction block installation must be carried out by Zaber. For more information on the junction block, please refer to our article.

Objective Changer

Maximize your walk-away time by selecting an X-MOR-E motorized objective changer. The objective turret allows for automated switching between up to 4 objectives.

The X-MOR-E is currently not compatible with the X-ASR205 stage. Customizations are available on request - scroll down to contact our engineering team for customizations. For additional information on the objective changer, please refer to our article.

Add a programmable joystick

While optional, the X-JOY3 controller is a highly recommended companion module for the MVR microscope. It provides precise and intuitive control over sample positioning, saving you time during setup and simplifying system use.

Add a Basic 2.3 MP CMOS Camera

The MVR supports any standard C-mount camera and any adaptors that mount onto the standard C-mount interface.

Our standard camera option is the CC01, a FLIR Blackfly camera featuring Sony’s IMX249 2.3 MP monochrome sensor (colour sensor available). It is an extremely cost effective introductory camera which can provide a starting point for identifying your performance requirements. It offers outstanding value for low light imaging applications such as multi-channel fluorescence, with a quantum efficiency of 70% at 525 nm and a 13 mm diagonal sensor area. A high speed USB 3.1 connection (included) provides frame rates up to 41 FPS.

For more information on camera selection and compatibility, please refer to our article. For non-standard camera mounting, scroll down to contact our engineering team for customizations.

Optional Accessories

When the transmitted illuminator option is selected, additional accessories may be available for selection here.

These accessories offer options for switching between different filters and phase stops on the MLT transmitted illuminator.

Accessory Code	Description
AM219	Zeiss - Slider, 10 x 46 mm, with Fixed Phase Stop, Ph1/0.3
AM220	Zeiss - Slider, 10 x 46 mm, 3-position
AM221	Zeiss - Phase Stop Ph1 for 10 x 46 mm slider
AM222	Zeiss - Phase Stop Ph2 for 10 x 46 mm slider
AM273	Nikon - Phase Contrast Slider, 3-Position, Centerable

High-throughput Imaging

Built around Zaber's high-reliability motorized stages, the MVR is ideal for high-throughput imaging. With XY travel up to 305 x 305 mm and a variety of stage inserts available (sold separately), up to 6 microplates can be loaded at once, increasing walk-away time for large-batch scanning.

Epi-Illuminator: Zaber MLR3A
Transmitted Illuminator: Zaber MLT (ASR305 variant)
Microscope Stage: Zaber X-ASR305B305B-SE03D12
Camera: CC01

Have a Question? Need a Customization?

Response time promise: 1 business day

Have a Question? Need a Customization?

Customization Examples

Whether you need modifications to standard products or have unique stage or system needs, our Product Customization Team is dedicated to building tailored solutions.

Response Time Promise: 1 Business Day

Automated Microscopes Customizations

Dual-View Microscopy System

A microscope system to simultaneously image a sample from the top and bottom. Each objective has independent focus control and the upper and lower optical axes are precisely aligned to ensure concentricity. While the solution is a customer configuration, all parts are off-the-shelf products from our wide rage of Nucleus microscope modules. The remarkably low cost of $44,000 speaks to the efficiency and affordability of Zaber’s modular approach. Read the case study to learn more.

MVR for Imaging Droplet Microfluidics

Easily access droplet microfluidics. Zaber devices with integrated controllers and a common Zaber Motion Library API makes it easy to coordinate multiple Zaber stages with the MVR for synchronized flow, imaging, and illumination control. Flow control: Zaber X-LSM100B & X-LSM150A-E03Illumination: Zaber MLT100AC-T13ACamera: Flir BFS-U3-200S6C-CObjective: Zeiss EC Epiplan NEOFLUAR 2.5x/0.06HD

Custom Upright Microscope

This upright microscope uses Zaber's X-FCR filter cube turret, X-LDA linear stage and X-ASR XY scanning stage to provide upright reflected light brightfield and epi-fluorescence imaging capabilities.

Integrated Filter Wheels

Zaber MVR microscope with a pair of integrated X-FWR filter wheels. This system delivers rapid and individual control of excitation filters, emission filters, and dichroics. The common Zaber motion library and daisy-chained device connections enable the whole system to be controlled using one API and one USB connection. Filter Wheels: Zaber X-FWR06A-E02 Illumination: External Optical system: Zeiss ICS Microscope Stage: Zaber X-ASR100B120B-SE03D12

High-throughput transmitted light imaging

High-throughput transmitted light imaging system maximizes walk-away time by scanning for 6 microplates in a single run. Illuminator: Custom MLT (available upon request) Optical system: Zeiss ICS Microscope Stage: Zaber X-ASR305B305B-SE03D12

Dual camera customization for automated microscopy

Affordable Dual-Camera Integration for Automated Microscopy

The Challenge:Whether in live cell imaging, semiconductor wafer inspection, or other types of microscopy, microscope users often need to acquire data from two detectors as quickly as possible. Zaber has supported many customers requiring dual camera microscope systems. The three most common reasons are:Higher-Speed: Eliminating mechanical filter switching maximizes imaging throughput. For example, simultaneous imaging of two different fluorophores is essential for investigating rapid processes in live cells.Hyperspectral Imaging: Imaging across an expanded spectral range often requires multiple detectors. The performance of cameras optimized for the visible spectrum falls off beyond 750 nm (Fig. 1). Conversely, cameras which excel well at long wavelengths, do not perform as well in the visible spectrum. A two camera system delivers the best of both worlds.Multi-Mode: Multiple detectors on a single microscope frame can greatly increase a system’s versatility without the need to purchase an entire second microscope. A single system can combine a colour camera for slide scanning with a monochrome camera for fluorescence, or pair a standard camera with more exotic detectors (like SPAD arrays or spectrometers) to easily locate regions of interest.Figure 1. Quantum Efficiency curves of one camera optimized for maximum sensitivity in the visible spectrum (blue curve), and one which trades reduced peak QE for sensitivity over a much larger range of wavelengths (red curve).The Solution:To support two detectors on a single microscope, Zaber created a variant of our MTC tube lens and camera mount module which houses a beam splitter to create two optical paths (Fig. 2). Full compatibility with our Nucleus microscope platform ensures seamless integration into existing automated microscopy workflows. Customers can use a range of different beam splitters including:A 50/50 filter to evenly split the emission wavelengths to both cameras (Fig. 2 A).High or Low pass filters to send specific ranges of wavelengths between the two cameras (Fig. 2 B).A 0/100 filter to transmit or reflect all wavelengths to one or the other camera (Fig. 2 C, D).Figure 2. The optical path can be configured with a beam splitter (A) to send all wavelengths to both paths, or a dichroic mirror (B) to send specific wavelengths to different paths. By inserting or removing a 0/100 mirror (C, D), all light can be directed to one path or the other.Zaber’s dual camera mount supports a range of different cameras and detectors. Options are available for C-mount, F-mount, M42, TFL, SM1, SM2 and Thorlabs cage mount. When pixel-level alignment between the two camera image sensors is required, fine manual adjustment of XY and ፀ is available.The Engineering Approach:Zaber’s dual camera mount is a drop-in replacement for MTC90 and MTC00 tube lens and camera mount assemblies. This allows existing Nucleus microscope systems to be upgraded. The dual camera mount module uses a DFM1/M Thorlabs 30mm cage cube to house a standard 25 mm x 36 mm beam splitter or dichroic. The optic can be manually moved in and out of the optical path.

Motorized Rotation of Polarizing Filters Enable Automated Acquisition of Large Datasets

The Challenge:Sensing the degree and angle of linearly polarized light across a sample provides material scientists with a fast, non-contact means of material characterization. Detecting grain boundaries in metals, identifying microplastics in biological materials, and visualizing internal stresses in materials are all enabled by sensing polarized light.While manually rotated filter mounts are commercially available, they are not suitable for capturing high resolution polarimetry data across a large sample area. Capturing a large high-quality dataset with fine angular resolution of polarization requires automation.The Solution:By mounting a pair of Zaber motorized rotary stages into the optical path of a Zaber Nucleus automated microscope, we delivered a fully motorized, high resolution polarimetry system (Fig. 1). Sample positioning, polarising filter rotation and image acquisition can be controlled though our free Zaber launcher application. Advanced automation is achieved using the Zaber Motion Library API, which is available for Python, C++, C#, Labview, MATLAB and more.Figure 1. A Zaber Nucleus inverted microscope with motorized polarizing filters mounted between the objective and the tube lens and between the tube lens and the camera mount. The rotation of the polarizing filters can be independently controlled.The Engineering Approach:The low profile and open aperture of Zaber’s X-RSW60A rotary stages enabled them to be inserted into the optical path without altering any of the key optical distances for the infinity space or between the tube lens and the image sensor plane. Special care was taken to minimize internal reflections in the optical path when integrating these rotary stages. Optical alignment is critical to imaging performance so custom features were included in the design to enable fine tuning the positioning of each rotary axis during final assembly of the microscope system.Zaber RSW60 rotary stages support standard 25 mm filters. Their position in the optical path ensures the 22 mm maximum field number of the Nucleus microscope is preserved. A large field of view coupled with high speed stages and polarizing filter rotation maximizes data acquisition speed. The fine angular resolution of the X-RSW60A stage supports high resolution polarimetry measurements using high extinction ratio filters.Additional hardware like cameras can be controlled with the Zaber Motion Library API via TTL triggering, minimizing the time, and number of dependencies required to write custom automated polarimetry scanning scripts.

Learn with Zaber

Nucleus® MVR Inverted Fluorescence Microscopes Configurator Articles All Articles

Communication Interface	RS-232
Communication Protocol	Zaber ASCII
Data Cable Connection	Locking 4-pin M8
Compatible Optic Diameter	25
Number of Optics	6
Adjacent Optic Change Time	350 ms
Power Supply	24-48 VDC
Power Plug	2-pin screw terminal
Maximum Current Draw	3300 mA
Manual Control	Indexed knob with push switch
LED Indicators
Operating Temperature Range	0 to 40 °C
CE Compliant
Vacuum Compatible
Weight	3.5 kg (7.716 lb)

Built-in Controller
Lower Travel Range	130 mm (5.118")
Upper Travel Range	100 mm (3.937")
Accuracy (unidirectional)	5 µm (0.000197")
Repeatability	< 0.5 µm (< 0.00002")
Minimum Incremental Move	50 nm
Maximum Speed	750 mm/s (29.528"/s)
Minimum Speed	0.61 nm/s
Speed Resolution	0.61 nm/s
Encoder Type	Linear analog encoder
Encoder Count Size	1 nm
Peak Thrust	35 N (7.8 lb)
Maximum Continuous Thrust	13 N (2.9 lb)
Communication Interface	RS-232
Communication Protocol	Zaber ASCII (Default)
Data Cable Connection	Locking 4-pin M8
Maximum Centered Load	50 N (11.2 lb)
Maximum Moment (Pitch)	5 N⋅m (3.7 lb⋅ft)
Maximum Moment (Roll)	5 N⋅m (3.69 lb⋅ft)
Maximum Moment (Yaw)	5 N⋅m (3.69 lb⋅ft)
Typical Velocity Stability	± 0.12% at 100 mm/s with a 0.55 kg payload
Pitch	0.025° (0.436 mrad)
Roll	0.006° (0.105 mrad)
Yaw	0.01° (0.174 mrad)
Power Supply	24-48 VDC
Maximum Current Draw	2300 mA
Motor Type	Moving Magnet Track Linear Motor
Force Constant	5.5 N/A (1.2 lbs/A)
Guide Type	Crossed-Roller Bearing
Limit or Home Sensing	Optical Index Mark
Axes of Motion	2
LED Indicators
Mounting Interface	Separate mounting adaptors available
Lower Moving Mass	3.3 kg (7.26 lbs)
Upper Moving Mass	1.3 kg (2.86 lbs)
Digital Input	1
Digital Output	2
Operating Temperature Range	0 to 50 °C
CE Compliant
Vacuum Compatible
Weight	4.9 kg (10.803 lb)