QUESTAR POWERPAK APLANAT LENS/KIT

For those applications with either the Questar QM 100 or Questar Step Zoom SZ M100 Long Distance Microscopes where the highest resolution and magnification are necessary we recommend the optional "PowerPak 100". The Questar PowerPak Kit consists two components: 1. the Aplanat Lens (P/N 39485), and 2. our Achromatic 3X Barlow Lens (P/N 39495). Working together these optics provides an increase in resolving power when working at distances from the QM-100 to the target as close as 10 centimeters (3.94 inches). The Aplanat Lens consists of two precision made lenses, fully MgFl antireflection coated, working as one to correct for the spherical aberration that would otherwise degrade the image quality when working at very close distances. Now you can safely observe or image your sample while attaining sub-micron feature resolution.

Right: The Questar Aplanat Lens for QM 100 and SZ M100 Long Distance Microscopes (135,159 bytes).
Click on image to see enlarged view (291,583 bytes).

Ordering The PowerPak: The PowerPak is designed for use with the Questar QM 100 Long Distance Microscopes models only. The complete set can be ordered as P/N 39487 which will include both the air spaced doublet Aplanat Lens in a machined cell (P/N 39485), and the 3X Achromatc Barlow (P/N 39495). If you are ordering or the Step Zoom SZ M100 with the PowerPak, then we will include the Aplanat Lens and install a 3X Barlow in one of the five magnification ports in the Step Zoom SZ M100. While it is possible to use the Questar 1.5X and 2X Barlows stacked to net the 3X instead of the 3X, this is not as optimum a solution as using a single 3X Barlow. If you already own a Step Zoom SZ M100 instrument that does not incorporate either the 3X Achromatic or 3X Fused Silica Barlow Lens (P/N 39496), then contact Company Seven to arrange return of the SZ M100 to have the appropriate 3X Barlow Lens installed.

Installing The PowerPak: 1. remove the lens cover of the QM-100, 2. thread the Aplanat Lens onto the front of the QM-100 Long Distance Microscope, 3. install the 3X Barlow within the Camera Coupling Set hardware at the Axial Port (if not already within a SZ M100).

Also consider the appropriate lighting techniques you will employ; the QM-100 optical tube assembly will be so close to the intended target of observation that off axis (lighting from the sides) may not be satisfactory. In cases where you intend to study objects that have a varying depths (peaks and valleys) then for more uniform illumination we recommend coaxial illumination; this consists of a Fiber Optic Light Guide attached to our optional Brightfield Adapter (P/N 39170) to pump light directly through the QM-100 and focused onto the target. Alternatively, you may consider backlighting the object if it is either transparent material or thin enough to have light projected through it. Note the different lighting techniques will reveal different features on the target. Please visit or contact Company Seven for advice about the applications of our systems and lighting techniques.

The PowerPak option has limitations:

• It is NOT compatible for use with either our Questar QM-1 or Questar QM 200 Long Distance Microscopes.

• Because of properties of the glass types of the PowerPak Aplanat Lens (P/N 39485), this is incompatible with work into the ultraviolet spectrum. So even if you have ordered one of our QM-100 systems built upon either Calcium Fluoride (CaF2) or synthetic UV-grade Fused Silica (SiO2) optics, the PowerPak set will not transmit light into the UV.

Specifications:

• Numerical Aperture: 0.185 @ 10cm
• Objective Magnification: 8.1x
• Working Distance: 9 to 11 cm
• Direct resolution: 550 lp/m @ 546.1nm
• Empirical resolution: Better than 500 lp/mm (test chart limited)
• Practical Spectral Range (recommended by C7): visible 400nm to 2.0 µ

• Weight of Aplanat Lens component: 4.75 oz.
• Thread: 2 TPI (0.03125 pitch in inches), 0.794 pitch in mm.
• Dimensions: 7.5cm diameter x 1.7cm thick
• Weight of 3X negative lens: less than 1 oz.