Conclusion

Figure 10 shows the final configuration, with installed riser block, and Leitz 4-axis universal stage attached to the Olympus BX51-Pol stage via the adapter plate.

click image to enlarge (133K) Figure 10

The entire stage assembly will have to be lowered on its dovetail, using the hex wrench provided with the microscope.  Also, all of the objectives should be removed except for the one in use, because otherwise the Wright acrs will hit the other objectives.  The objective will have to be of the long-working-distance type to be used with the hemispheres.  The older Leitz U-stage objectives can be used even though they are corrected for finite tubelength.

IMPORTANT Optical Considerations: The Olympus BX51 polarized light microscope contains a telan lens in the head to converge the parallel rays from the infinity-corrected objectives. If the older finite tubelength (160 mm, 170 mm) objectives are used on this type of microscope, it is still possible to obtain a focused image of a normal, flat, slide preparation. When using the large, orthoscopic hemisphere on the universal stage, however, an in-focus image of the thin section cannot be obtained, and Olympus long-working-distance objectives do not have enough working distance to focus the sample either. The solution to these problems is to simply use the smaller conoscopic hemisphere for orthoscopic observation; then, any of the older finite U-stage objectives can be used as well as any of the Olympus long-working-distance objectives. Not, however, that the stated maginification will not hold.

Using the simple principles outlined here, many other current polarizing microscopes may be similarly modified so as to take advantage of the versatility of the universal stage.

Acknowledgement:  the author thanks Wayne Fetters, Facilities Specialist, McCrone Associates for preparation of the engineering drawings, and executing the final version of the riser block.

References

Emmons, R.C. (1943) The Universal Stage (With 5-Axes of Rotation).  Memoir #8 Geological Society of America, Washington, D.C.  Reprinted 1959 and 1964 by GSA, New York, through the Aldrich Publication Fund.

Muir, I.D. (1981) The 4-Axis Universal Stage.  Volume 49 in the Microscope Series, Microscope Publications Ltd., Chicago, Illinois.