New Standards in Materials Microscopy

Carl Zeiss is now introducing the Axio Lab.A1 microscope for examinations in the materials sciences. Its particularly intuitive operation makes this upright microscope suitable for routine lab applications in metallography, quality control and for inspection tasks in production lines. This permits microscopic examinations of metallographic specimens and samples made of polymers or other materials. The Axio Lab.A1 can be used to determine not only the structure and surface quality of specimens, but also cracks or impurities.

The benefit of this microscope for industrial applications is the 50-watt halogen illumination, which is also excellently suited for darkfield and differential interference contrast in circularly polarised light (C-DIC). Both contrasting techniques require a large amount of light. The interference contrast in particular is unique in this class and offers additional information about the sample, e.g. tiny defects or scratches that are not visible in
brightfield or darkfield applications. The 22-millimetre field of view offers the user optimal visibility of the sample.

All objective lenses in the standard magnification series are accommodated on a 5-position turret so that no change is now necessary during work. The Axio Lab.A1 also includes a 4-position reflector turret and a large selection of binocular photo and ergonomic tubes. The ergonomic, compact design and easy, intuitive operation are special benefits not only for daily routine, but also for training and education.

The microscope system can be used with traditional cameras, with all cameras in the AxioCam line, particularly with the attractively priced AxioCam ERc 5s, and with AxioVision image processing software.