Focus Block and Accessories
- Components to Support Custom Microscopes
- Compatible with Thorlabs’ Lens Tube and Cage Systems
MP1214
Focus Block Stand with Damped Post
MGZ30
Microscope Focus Block
Application Idea
The MGZ30 Focus Block and MP1214 Stand can support a home-built epi-fluorescence imaging system. See the Application tab for details.
OVERVIEW
| Item # | MGZ30 |
|---|---|
| Description | Focus Block |
| Z-Axis Travel | 30 mm (Manual Adjustment) |
| Z-Axis Adjustment | Fine: 225 µm/rev Coarse: 40 mm/rev |
| Vertical Load (Max) | 10 lb (4.5 kg) |
| Mount Compatibilitya | Ø1.5" Posts |
Features
- Manual Microscope Focus Block
- 30 mm of Travel with Coarse/Fine Adjustment
- Objective Turret Holds Five Objectives at Once
- Includes Dovetail Adapter with SM1, SM2, and 30 mm Cage Compatibility
- Vibrationally Damped Stand Enhances Image Quality
- Thread Adapters for Industry-Standard Objective Threads
- RMS-Threaded End Caps to Cover Empty Turret Ports and Objective Back Apertures
This page features a Post-Mountable Focus Block and a Focus Block Stand to support home-built imaging systems that use our wide selection of optical and mechanical components. Thorlabs' post-mountable focus block provides 30 mm of travel along the Z-axis of an optical system via fine and coarse adjustment knobs and includes a built-in five-objective turret.
To stabilize images against vibrations, Thorlabs has developed a focus block stand that consists of an extra-thick breadboard and a dynamically damped post that together reduce the amplitude and duration of vibrations applied to the stand.
When combined with Thorlabs' family of objectives, thread adapters, and cameras, the parts listed here can be used as the basis for a flexible, reliable, and easy-to-use imaging solution for the most demanding applications.
Alternatively, for users interested in modular microscopes, Thorlabs has developed the DIY Cerna® Microscopy Platform. The system includes pre-configured components for widefield viewing, epi-illumination, and transmitted light imaging in addition to providing compatibility with Thorlabs' standard SM thread and cage system interfaces.
APPLICATION
Home-Built Epi-Fluorescence Microscope
Thorlabs' MGZ30 Focus Block and MP1214 Stand can be used to construct and support a simple epi-fluorescence microscope. The DFM1 filter cube with a user-selected filter set is used to couple illumination from a liquid light guide (LLG) into the objective. A 100 mm tall rigid stand is used to support the sample. Sample viewing is accomplished using a C-mount camera, in this case the previous-generation 1501M-USB scientific-grade camera. Alternatively, one of our other CCD or CMOS cameras can also be used. The camera is connected to the setup via an SM1ZM rotation mount in order to provide some focusing adjustment. This simple microscope can be easily modified by using other light sources, cameras, objectives, and sample holders. A list of components is provided in the table below.
| Item List for Epi-Fluorescence Microscope | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item #a | Qty. | Description |
| Focus Block | ||
| MGZ30 | 1 | Post-Mountable Manual Focus Block |
| MP1214 | 1 | 12" x 14" Focus Block Stand with Included DP14A Post |
| SM2L10 | 1 | SM2 Lens Tube, 1" Long, One Retaining Ring Included |
| SM2T2 | 1 | SM2 (2.035"-40) Coupler, External Threads, 1/2" Long |
| SM1A2 | 1 | Adapter with External SM1 Threads and Internal SM2 Threads |
| - | Up to 5 | Objectives with RMS or M26 x 0.706 Threadsb |
| Epi-Illumination | ||
| DFM1 | 1 | Kinematic Fluorescence Filter Cube, 30 mm Cage Compatible, 1/4"-20 Tapped Holes |
| ACL2520U-Ac | 1 | Aspheric Condenser Lens, Ø25 mm, f=20.1 mm, NA=0.60 ARC: 350-700 nm |
| SM1L20c | 1 | SM1 Lens Tube, 2.00" Thread Depth, One Retaining Ring Included |
| SM1RRC | 1 | Extra-Thick SM1 (1.035"-40) Threaded Retaining Ring |
| AD3LLGc | 1 | Ø3 mm Core Liquid Light Guide to SM1 Adapter |
| SM1CP2 | 1 | Externally SM1-Threaded End Cap |
| - | 1 | Ø3 mm Core Liquid Light Guideb |
| - | 1 | Illumination Sourceb |
| - | 1 | Fluorescence Filter Setb |
| Camera Tube | ||
| SM1A9 | 1 | Adapter with External C-Mount Threads and Internal SM1 Threads |
| SM1ZM | 1 | SM1 Zoom Housing for Ø1" Optics, Non-Rotating, 3.5 mm Travel |
| SM1L03 | 2 | SM1 Lens Tube, 0.30" Thread Depth, One Retaining Ring Included |
| SM2L30 | 1 | SM2 Lens Tube, 3" Thread Depth, One Retaining Ring Included |
| SM2L05 | 1 | SM2 Lens Tube, 1/2" Thread Depth, One Retaining Ring Included |
| TTL200 | 1 | Infinity-Corrected Tube Lens, f = 200 mm |
| SM2A20 | 1 | Adapter with External SM2 Threads and Internal M38 x 0.5 Threads |
| SM1A2 | 2 | Adapter with External SM1 Threads and Internal SM2 Threads |
| - | 1 | C-Mount Camerab |
| Sample Holderd | ||
| LPH100 | 1 | Rigid Stand Post Holder, L = 100 mm |
| MPP10 | 1 | Ø1.5" Post with 66 mm Dovetail Clamp, L = 100 mm |
| MPRC(/M) | 1 | Ø110 mm Recording Chamber Holder, 66 mm Dovetail |
| MPSH2d | 1 | Slide Holder Insertd |
Post-Mountable Focus Block
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Dovetail Adapter
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Five-Objective Turret
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Adjustment Knobs
- Coarse and Fine Adjustment with 30 mm of Travel
- Five-Objective Turret with M26 x 36 TPI (M26 x 0.706) Threads
- Includes Five Adapters that Accept RMS-Threaded Objectives
The MGZ30 Post-Mountable Focus Block positions an objective along the Z-axis of a home-built imaging system. It features 30 mm of travel with fine and coarse adjustment knobs (pictured to the right), and is designed to be mounted on our series of Ø1.5" posts. Please note that posts and bases are not included with this package; one option is the MP1214 Focus Block Stand, shown below.
The focus block includes a built-in five-objective turret with M26 x 36 TPI (M26 x 0.706) threading, pictured to the right. In order to allow direct mounting of RMS-threaded objectives, the focus block ships with five RMSA7 adapters. A selection of adapters for the commonly used M25 x 0.75 and SM1 (1.035"-40) threads is shown below, but Thorlabs manufactures many other adapters as well.
The MGZ30 package includes a dovetail adapter (pictured to the upper right) that is located above the lens turret and enables direct integration of 30 mm cage systems, SM1-threaded (1.035"-40) components, and SM2-threaded (2.035"-40) components.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
MGZ30 | Post-Mountable Manual Focus Block | $3,022.22 | 3-5 Days |
Stand for Focus Block
- 3/4" Thick, 12" x 14" Breadboard with Side Grips
- Damped Post Adds Stability by Reducing Vibrations
- 1/4"-20 Tapped Hole Pattern Designed for Thorlabs' Microscopy Stages
The MP1214 Focus Block Stand consists of a 3/4" thick breadboard and a Ø1.5" Dynamically Damped Post. The 12" x 14" breadboard is 50% thicker than our standard breadboards, includes side grips for portability, and has a 1/4"-20 tapped mounting hole pattern designed to accommodate Thorlabs' microscopy stages for positioning samples. This assembly provides stable mounting and reduces vibrations that degrade the image quality. An MGZ30 Focus Block can be mounted anywhere along the 14" long DP14A post.
The DP14A post is also available for purchase separately for users who already have breadboards.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
MP1214 | 12" x 14" Focus Block Stand with Included DP14A Post | $786.12 | 3-5 Days |
DP14A | Ø1.5" Dynamically Damped Post, 14" Long | $265.26 | 3-5 Days |
M26 x 36 TPI Adapters for Threaded Objectives
| Item # | External Threads | Internal Threads |
|---|---|---|
| RMSA7 | M26 x 36 TPI | RMS (0.800"-36) |
| M25A1 | M26 x 36 TPI | M25 x 0.75 |
| SM1A28 | M26 x 36 TPI | SM1 (1.035"-40) |
These thread adapters convert the M26 x 36 TPI (M26 x 0.706) thread on the MGZ30 Post-Mountable Focus Blocks shown above to several common threads used in objective lenses. Thorlabs' complete selection of thread adapters allows interconversion between these threads and nearly every other standard.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
RMSA7 | Adapter with External M26 x 0.706 Threads and Internal RMS Threads | $24.23 | 3-5 Days |
M25A1 | Adapter with External M26 x 0.706 Threads and Internal M25 x 0.75 Threads | $30.87 | 3-5 Days |
SM1A28 | Customer Inspired! Adapter with External M26 x 0.706 Threads and Internal SM1 Threads | $22.83 | 3-5 Days |
RMS-Threaded Caps
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RMSCP2 Protecting Turret Ports of an Inverted Microscope
Click to Enlarge
RMSCP1 Covering an Objective
- RMSCP1: Internally RMS-Threaded Cap for Microscope Objectives
- RMSCP2: Externally RMS-Threaded Cap for Objective Lens Turret Ports
These RMS-Threaded Caps are designed to protect microscope objectives, objective lens turret ports, and other RMS (0.800"-36) threaded components. The RMSCP1 has internal RMS threading, making it compatible with standard RMS-threaded microscope objective lenses. The RMSCP2 has external RMS threading to cover unused objective lens ports (see image on the far right). Each of these caps is made from anodized aluminum and has a knurled edge for secure hand tightening.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
RMSCP2 | Externally RMS-Threaded Cap for Objective Lens Ports | $18.89 | 3-5 Days |
RMSCP1 | Internally RMS-Threaded Cap for Microscope Objective Lenses | $18.89 | 3-5 Days |