ZEISS Axio Zoom.V16 for Materials

Overview

ZEISS Axio Zoom.V16 for Materials is an on-axis stereo zoom microscope for large fields that delivers high resolution and a zoom range of 16x using a single objective and a large free working distance. The system combines its 16x zoom with a high numerical aperture and large working distance to achieve resolutions up to twice as high at low and medium magnifications and supports quick stitching of large tile-images at low to medium magnification. The eZoom system replaces a mechanical zoom curve with an electronic one; stepping motors position the moveable lenses and the motorized iris diaphragm to account for individual lens tolerances, allowing each zoom body to describe its own zoom curve and providing doubled precision compared to a mechanical zoom body. eZoom offers selectable modes via a motorized iris diaphragm coupled to the zoom: Brightness mode for observing fluorescence images over the complete zoom range with highest possible brightness, Eyepiece mode for ocular observation with conventional illumination from large object fields to high magnifications, and Camera mode that adapts to camera performance to optimize the relation between resolution and depth of field across the whole zoom range. The EpiRel feature in the Epi-Illuminator Z slightly inclines the illumination with an EpiRel slider to reveal textures and small ridges, producing relief-like contrast particularly at high magnification. Designed for large-field materials imaging, the Axio Zoom.V16 enables quick stitching of large tile-images at low to medium magnification or imaging entire components with just a few shots, and the product text states this can allow users to work up to four times faster. Documented example applications include inspection control of coalbrush, imaging detail of lithium ion batteries, and imaging wafers (112x). Imaging workflows supported by the instrument include fluorescence observation across the complete zoom range (Brightness mode), ocular observation with conventional illumination (Eyepiece mode), and camera-based imaging with an optimized relation between resolution and depth of field (Camera mode), while EpiRel can be used to reveal textures and small ridges at high magnification.