Adapters for Zeiss Axioskop and Examiner Microscopes

Features

• Extends Versatility of Thorlabs' Construction Systems to Zeiss Axioskop and Examiner Microscopes
• Provides Compatibility with SM1 Lens Tubes, SM2 Lens Tubes, and 30 mm and 60 mm Cage Systems
• Designed for Lamphouse, Trinocular, Eyepiece, and Condenser Ports
• Contact Tech Support about Custom Adapters, Including for Other Microscopes

Lamphouse Port Adapters
These adapters provide compatibility between Zeiss Axioskop and Examiner microscope lamphouse ports and our SM1 (Ø1") lens tubes, 30 mm cage assemblies, or SM2 (Ø2") lens tubes.

Trinocular Adapters
The LCPZ2 adapter is designed for the trinocular port of a Zeiss Axioskop microscope, providing a secure connection for custom widefield viewing and image detection setups.

The SM2Z1 adapter replaces the lens element on an eyepiece of the trinoculars, allowing custom image detection or viewing setups to be attached to the microscope.

Condenser Adapter
The LCPZ1 adapter connects to the condenser holder of a Zeiss Axioskop microscope, allowing the attachment of DIY setups that condition incoming light for trans-illumination.

Note: Thorlabs does not guarantee compatibility with other industry-standard microscopes not explicitly mentioned on this webpage.

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This photo shows the male D1N dovetail on the trinoculars next to the female D1N dovetail on the epi-illumination arm.

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This photo shows the male 95 mm dovetail on the microscope body and the female 95 mm dovetail on the CSA1002 Fixed Arm.

Introduction to Microscope Dovetails

Dovetails are used for mechanical mating and optical port alignment of microscope components. Components are connected by inserting one dovetail into another, then tightening one or more locking setscrews on the female dovetail. Dovetails come in two shapes: linear and circular. Linear dovetails allow the mating components to slide before being locked down, providing flexible positioning options while limiting unneeded degrees of freedom. Circular dovetails align optical ports on different components, maintaining a single optical axis with minimal user intervention.

Thorlabs manufactures many components which use dovetails to mate with our own components or those of other manufacturers. To make it easier to identify dovetail compatibility, we have developed a set of dovetail designations. The naming convention of these designations is used only by Thorlabs and not other microscope manufacturers. The table to the right lists all the dovetails Thorlabs makes, along with their key dimensions.

In the case of Thorlabs’ Cerna^® microscopes, different dovetail types are used on different sections of the microscope to ensure that only compatible components can be mated. For example, our WFA2002 Epi-Illuminator Module has a male D1N dovetail that mates with the female D1N dovetail on the microscope body's epi-illumination arm, while the CSS2001 XY Microscopy Stage has a female D1Y dovetail that mates with the male D1Y dovetail on the CSA1051 Mounting Arm.

To learn which dovetail type(s) are on a particular component, consult its mechanical drawing, available by clicking on the red Docs icon () below. For adapters with a female dovetail, the drawing also indicates the size of the hex key needed for the locking setscrew(s). It is important to note that mechanical compatibility does not ensure optical compatibility. Information on optical compatibility is available from Thorlabs' web presentations.

For customers interested in machining their own dovetails, the table to the right gives the outer diameter and angle (as defined by the drawings below) of each Thorlabs dovetail designation. However, the dovetail's height must be determined by the user, and for circular dovetails, the user must also determine the inner diameter and bore diameter. These quantities can vary for dovetails of the same type. One can use the intended mating part to verify compatibility.

In order to reduce wear and simplify connections, dovetails are often machined with chamfers, recesses, and other mechanical features. Some examples of these variations are shown by the drawings below.

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Two examples of how circular male dovetails can be manufactured.

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Two examples of how circular female dovetails can be manufactured.