Equipment

The Zeiss Axio Imager Z2 Vario is a high performance, multi-function optical microscope. The precise motorized microscope stage is equipped to analyze very large samples up to approximately 40cm X 40cm X 12cm (L W H). There are three sample illumination modes (including dark field and PLM), six objective lenses, and a color camera with resolution that reaches the limit of optical microscopy.

Specifications:

  • Imaging (Illumination) Modes:
    • Bright Field 
    • Dark Field
    • Polarized Light (PLM) 
  • Hardware / Software:
    • Laser autofocus
    • Zeiss Axiocam 820 high resolution color camera
    • Motorized X, Y, Z stage
    • Zeiss Zen Core
    • 5X, 5X, 10X, 20X, 50X, and 100X objective lens
    • Tube multipliers lens up to 2.6X
  • Techniques available:
    • Image stitching (Tiling) for large view field
    • Z stacking 
    • Extinction measurements 
    • Image correlation for overlaying multiple images (Raman, SEM, etc.)
  • Example uses:
    • Metallography corrosion studies
    • Thin film uniformity
    • Fracture surfaces
    • Mineralogy birefringent studies
    • Inclusion analysis in metals
    • Grain imaging
Location
Roberts Hall
Function
Optical Microscopy
Contact
Andrew Nickischer