Custom Assembled Optical Objectives
An optical objective, often simply called an "objective," is the primary light-gathering component in an optical system. It is the first and most critical element that light from a sample or scene encounters. Its primary function is to collect light and form a real, magnified, and high-fidelity intermediate image of the object, which is then further magnified by an eyepiece or captured by a sensor.
In essence, the objective defines the fundamental capabilities of the entire instrument—its resolution, magnification, and light-gathering power.
Specification:
Key Performance Parameters
The performance of an objective is defined by several key specifications:
1. Magnification: The degree to which it enlarges the object (e.g., 4x, 10x, 40x, 100x). This is typically engraved on the barrel.
2. Numerical Aperture (NA): This is the most important specification for determining resolution and brightness. It is a dimensionless number (e.g., NA 0.25,…