Condenser Mounting for DIY Cerna® Systems

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Here, a CSC1001 Condenser is mounted at a 7.74" throat depth using a CSA2000 Condenser Arm and a PLSZ Motorized Focusing Module with a PLSZ1 Angle Bracket.

• BSA2000: Female D3N Dovetail, Two Adjusters, and Slim Profile
• CSA2000: Female D3N Dovetail, Orthogonal XY Adjusters, and 60 mm Cage Compatibility
• CSA2100: Internal SM2 (2.035"-40) Threads and 60 mm Cage Compatibility
• Attach to Focusing Module for 1" of Z Travel

These arms are designed to mount condensers at the 7.74" throat depth of DIY Cerna systems. All of these arms contain six M4 counterbores for attachment to a manual focusing module or a motorized focusing module with an angle bracket (sold separately below). 

The BSA2000 arm has a D3N dovetail that is directly compatible with any condenser offered by Thorlabs; the condenser is secured using a 2 mm hex setscrew. With a thickness of just 0.52", this arm conserves valuable space along the optical axis for items like our DIC accessories, Fast XY Scanning Stage, and user-built add-ons. It includes two adjusters with ±2.5 mm travel, allowing optimization of the illumination provided by the condenser.

In comparison, the CSA2000 arm, which also has a female D3N dovetail, is 1.86" thick so that it can incorporate orthogonal XY adjusters with ±2 mm travel. These adjusters therefore offer significantly reduced crosstalk, enabling faster optimization of the illumination conditions. Witness lines below the D3N dovetail give a reference for how far the condenser has traveled. In addition, the arm contains four Ø6 mm bores for 60 mm cage systems on the top, four 4-40 taps for 60 mm cage systems on the bottom, and 0.38" deep internal SM2 (2.035"-40) threads on the bottom.

The CSA2100 arm has a 0.38" thickness, internal SM2 through threads, and four 4-40 through taps for 60 mm cage systems. The use of our standard SM2 threads makes it compatible with any custom optical system mounted using our Ø2" lens tubes, as well as the CSA2001 D3N Dovetail Adapter sold below, which can be used to adapt it to our condensers.

For machining a holder utilizing non-standard threading or condenser attachment, consider the CSA1500 blank arm, which can also be attached to a motorized focusing module.

In addition, both the BSA2000 and CSA2000 are compatible with the LCPN1 condenser adapter for DIY setups. See below for details.

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When using the ZFM1020 module, the surface of the condenser holder will be flush with the bottom (or top) of the module.

When using the ZFM1030 module, the bottom surface of the condenser holder will be at the middle of the module.

• Provides Manual Focusing Adjustment over 1" Travel Range
• 95 mm Dovetail Clamp on Back Connects to Microscope Body
• Includes Six M4 Cap Screws for Attaching Condenser Arm
• Aligns Condenser Holder at 7.74" Throat Depth of DIY Cerna System
• Adjust Translation Stage Using Focusing Knobs

Our Manual Condenser Focusing Modules provide 1" of manual travel for a mounted condenser and its holder. Each module consists of a 95 mm dovetail clamp that connects to the microscope body, a manual translation stage, and a mounting bracket with six M4 tapped holes. These six M4 taps are spaced to mate with the M4 counterbores on our condenser holders.

When mounting a condenser holder onto one of these manual focusing modules, the optical port will be aligned at the 7.74" throat depth of the DIY Cerna system. The focusing knobs on either side of the module can be used to translate the stage. The manual translation stage utilizes a dovetail translation mechanism to minimize long-term drift compared to stages with rolling bearings. Specifications for these manual focusing modules are provided in the table to the right.

We offer two versions of these manual focusing modules to allow the user to choose whichever module makes the most efficient use of space. As shown in the drawing on the right, a condenser holder that is mounted to the ZFM1020 Focusing Module will have one surface in the same plane as the edge of the module. This module can be secured to the microscope with the holder facing up or down. By comparison, a condenser holder mounted to the ZFM1030 Focusing Module will be mounted in the middle of the module.

• Provides Motorized Focusing Adjustment over 1" Travel Range
• 95 mm Dovetail Clamp on Back Connects to Microscope Body
• Angle Brackets Available for Edge-Mounted and Middle-Mounted Arms
  • Each Includes Four 4-40 Cap Screws for Connecting to PLSZ Motorized Focusing Module
  • Each Includes Six M4 Cap Screws for Attaching Condenser Arm
• Aligns Optical Port of Arm at 7.74" Throat Depth of DIY Cerna System
• Operated by MCM301 3-Axis Controller (Sold Separately)

Our Motorized Focusing Module provides 1" of fine, variable-speed travel along the Z axis for optics in a DIY Cerna system. Each module consists of a 95 mm dovetail clamp that connects to the microscope body and a motorized translation stage that connects to our angle brackets (sold separately) for mounting a condenser arm or objective nosepiece. A permanently attached 6' (1.8 m) cable connects the module to our MCM301 3-Axis Controller (sold separately below).

The PLSZ1 and PLSZ2 angle brackets are designed for edge-mounted and middle-mounted arms, respectively. Each bracket has four holes for 4-40 screws, allowing it to connect with the PLSZ module, and six M4 tapped holes that are spaced to mate with the M4 counterbores on our condenser arms. Included with each bracket are four 4-40 cap screws, six M4 x 0.7 cap screws, and a 3/32" (2.5 mm) hex key. For alignment, the PLSZ1 and PLSZ2 also include four or two Ø0.12" (Ø3.0 mm) dowel pins, respectively. When an arm is connected the the PLSZ with one of these angle brackets, its optical port will be aligned at the 7.74" throat depth of the DIY Cerna system.

The PLSZ1 and PLSZ2 angle brackets can be mounted to the PLSZ module in either of two orientations, and the PLSZ module can be mounted on the microscope body in either of two orientations. This provides numerous mounting options for the condenser arm that allows the user to make the most efficient use of space. As shown in the diagram below, an arm that is mounted to the PLSZ1 angle bracket will have one surface in the same plane as the edge of the module. In comparison, an arm that is mounted to the PLSZ2 angle bracket will have one surface in the plane that bisects the module, which is 1.5" away from the module's edge. When selecting an angle bracket and positioning the stage on the microscope body, it is important to consider the clearance needed for the stage to be able to travel its full range of motion and the desired spacing between adjacent components in the optical path. For cases where the final position of the arm needs to be as close as possible to either end of the rail or another adjacent component in the optical path, we recommend using the PLSZ1 bracket to mount the arm at the top or bottom edge of the stage.

Our PLST(/M) top plate can also be mounted to the PLSZ module, expanding the versatility of the stage well beyond microscopy and providing options for custom mounting needs. 

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Six M4 cap screws are included with each angle bracket to connect with condenser arms.

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The PLSZ module has two possible orientations, creating space along the optical path for mounted optomechanical assemblies.

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When using the PLSZ1 angle bracket with the PLSZ module, the surface of the arm will be flush with the bottom (or top) of the module.

When using the PLSZ2 angle bracket with the PLSZ module, the surface of the arm will be at the middle of the module.

Software

Version 1.1 (May 24, 2024)

The software package contains the installation files
for the GUI interface, driver, and SDK. The software is compatible with Windows^® 7 (64 bit) and later systems.

• Designed for Cerna Components with 1" Motorized Travel
• Provides Control for up to Three Channels
• Separately Available Three-Knob Joystick Allows Hand Operation
• Each Axis can be Individually Disabled to Prevent
  Unintended Movements or to Retain a Position
• Dial on Top of Three-Knob Joystick Adjusts Translation Speed

The MCM301 3-Axis Controller is designed for use with Thorlabs' Motorized Focusing Module, Motorized Rigid Stand Translation Stages, and Motorized Vertical Rigid Stands. The MCMK3 3-Knob Joystick, available separately, can be connected to provide hand-operation. The controller can also be operated remotely using standalone software.

Each side face of the optional MCMK3 joystick includes a rotating knob and a push-button switch that are dedicated to a single axis. The push-button switch on the joystick enables and disables the axis and is lit in green when the axis is enabled. Disabling the axis lets the user preserve a position or prevent accidental movements. A dial on the top face adjusts the velocity per rotation of the knobs. For more information on the MCMK3 joystick and how to utilize the USB HID protocol, please see the full web presentation.

For more information, as well as compatible software and a LabVIEW™/C++/Python SDK, please see the full web presentation for the MCM301 controller.

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Our CSA2001 adapter has a female D3N dovetail that mates to the male D3N dovetail on a condenser. Here, the external SM2 threads on the adapter are threaded into our CXY2A mount.

• Extends Versatility of Thorlabs' Lens Tube and Cage Construction Systems to DIY Cerna Systems
• CSA2001: Female D3N Dovetail and External SM2 Threads
• LCPN1: Male D3N Dovetail, Internal SM30 Threads, 30 mm and 60 mm Cage Compatible
• LCPN5: Male D3N Dovetail, Internal SM2 Threads, and 60 mm Cage Compatible

These dovetail adapters allow DIY light conditioning setups to be integrated into a Cerna microscope. The CSA2001 is used to mount a condenser to an optical assembly that uses Thorlabs' SM2 lens tubes. A 2 mm hex setscrew is included to secure the dovetail of the adapter to the condenser. The LCPN1 and LCPN5 adapters are used to mount a custom condenser configuration onto a Cerna Microscope. To secure an optic to the inside of the adapter, the LCPN1 and LCPN5 adapters include SM30RR and SM2RR retaining rings, respectively. 

See the table below for the mechanical features of each adapter.

Item #	CSA2001	LCPN1	LCPN5
Dovetaila	Female D3N	Male D3N
SM Threading	External SM2 (2.035"-40)	Internal SM30 (30.5 x 0.5)	Internal SM2 (2.035"-40)
Cage Compatibility	Noneb	30 mm Cage System (4-40 Tapc, 4 Places) 60 mm Cage System (Ø6 mm Bore, 4 Places)	60 mm Cage System (Ø6 mm Bore, 4 Places)
Clear Aperture	Ø1.58" (40.0 mm)	Ø1.10" (27.9 mm)	Ø1.50" (38.1 mm)
Adapter Profile (Click for Drawing)

• Additional information on dovetails is available in the Microscope Dovetails tab.
• An SM2-threaded cage plate can be used to adapt the CSA2001 adapter to a 60 mm cage system.
• These tapped holes are on the opposite side of the dovetail only.