Olympus updates Lext microscope system

The OLS4000 features near-vertical slope capabilities, larger optical zoom and navigation-overview window.

The new software features different user interface sheets for the main tasks - acquisition, analysis and reporting.

The system also now has a sleeker look and requires only a single control unit.

The Olympus Lext OLS4000 has been designed with a larger and faster MEMS scanning mirror.

Its dual pinholes provide advanced confocal laser-scanning microscopy.

The larger mirror allows the system to provide superior optical quality and the increased scan speed halves the time it takes to create a 3D image of a sample.

The 405nm laser and dual pinholes operate simultaneously to ensure the system provides the highest possible resolution and clarity, as well as enabling steep slope detection up to 85 degrees, ensuring the most complex surface topologies can be imaged and analysed.

The new line-scan function enables the Lext to perform optical surface roughness measurements to the same international standards as cantilever-based systems.

The new Z-drive provides movement steps of less than 1nm, giving an accuracy of 10nm to ensure repeatable 3D measurements.

The new stage also enables more precise movement.

The instrument has a built-in vibration-cancellation system, ensuring that accuracy is not affected by sample navigation or external vibrations.

The software makes complex optical metrology processes accessible to everyone.

For example, a small sample-overview window provides a lower power image of the sample next to the main image, to enable easier navigation and orientation.

Furthermore, key analysis functions can be applied and utilised with ease, ensuring that user errors are minimised and results are consistent between users.

Reporting is also exceptionally easy, with an intuitive report generator ensuring that data is always presented in the best possible way.

Each user can be assigned their own login, making specific settings, files and projects immediately available.

This ensures that multi-user groups are free to define individual setups and that there is enhanced data security between users and groups.