Leica DM IRE2

and Leica DM IRB

Instructions

1
Issued in 2001 by:

Leica Microsystems Wetzlar GmbH

Ernst-Leitz-Strasse
D-35578 Wetzlar (Germany)

Responsible for contents:

Marketing MQM, product management, Phone +49(0)6441-292519
Fax +49(0)6441-292255
E-Mail Bernard.Kleine@leica-microsystems.com

2
 Leica DM IRE2
and Leica DM IRB
Instructions

3
Copyrights
All rights to this documentation and the
software it describes are owned by Leica
Microsystems Wetzlar GmbH. Copying of text
and illustrations in full or in part by printing,
photostat, microfilm or other techniques, in-
cluding electronic systems, is only permitted
subject to the express written consent of Leica
Microsystems Wetzlar GmbH.

The information contained in the following

documentation represents the latest stage of
technology and knowledge. We have composed
the texts and illustrations with great care.
However, as it is impossible to eliminate the risk
of slip completely, no kind of liability for the
correctness of the contents of this manual can
be accepted. Nevertheless, we are always
grateful to be notified of any errors.

The information in this manual may be altered

without prior notice.

4
Contents
Important notes on this manual ...................... 8 Assembly ............................................................. 19
Assembly tools ................................................... 19
General safety information .............................. 9 Assembly of the transmitted light
illumination column TL ...................................... 19
Field of application ........................................... 11 Assembly of condensers .................................. 20
Assembly of IC condenser prisms .................. 23
The microscope and its components ............. 12 Condenser top .................................................... 24
Key subassemblies ............................................ 12 Condenser 0.30 S70 ............................................ 24
The stand ............................................................. 14 Condensers 0.53 S23 and 0.90 S1 .................... 25
Tube mount .......................................................... 14 Assembly of field diaphragm ........................... 26
Tube .................................................................... 14 Assembly of filters and filter holder ................ 26
HC R/IR tube adapter ......................................... 14 Assembling the ICT objective prisms ............. 27
Eyepieces ............................................................ 15 Assembling the IC module
Brightness adjustment ...................................... 15 and IC objective prisms ..................................... 27
Coarse and fine control ..................................... 15 Differences between prism D and D1 ............ 28
Mains switch ....................................................... 15 Inserting the analyser ....................................... 28
Incident light fluorescence device ................. 15 Inserting the polariser ....................................... 28
Aperture diaphragm .......................................... 15 Inserting the fluorescence module ................. 29
Condenser ........................................................... 15 Assembly of the lamphousing mount,
Condenser height adjustment .......................... 15 mirror housing, lamphousing,
Specimen stages and accessories ................. 15 illumination telescope ....................................... 29
Objective nosepiece and objectives .............. 16 Assembling and exchanging
Transmitted light illumination unit ................... 16 incident light lamps ............................................ 31
Field diaphragm .................................................. 16 Lamphousing 107 L ............................................. 31
Lamphousings ..................................................... 16 Lamphousing 106 z L .......................................... 32
Filters .................................................................... 16 Assembling and exchanging
Hg and Xe lamps ................................................ 33
Installation site .................................................. 17 Assembly of the tubes
and tube adapter HC R/IR ................................. 35
Unpacking ........................................................... 18 Adaption of the slide overlay device
and the macro dual system .............................. 38
Installation .......................................................... 18 Inserting the eyepieces .................................... 39
Inserting graticules ............................................ 39
Inserting the photoeyepieces .......................... 40
Screwing objectives in and out ....................... 40
Assembling the stages,
the plane stage and object guide .................... 40

5
The E-Version Leica DM IRE2 .......................... 43 Front control panel for Leica DM IRE2 .......... 61
Features of the Leica DMIRE2 ......................... 43 LC display ............................................................. 61
The LEICA CTR MIC Electronics Box .............. 44 Fluorescence filter cube change .................... 62
The x/y/z control ................................................. 44 Viewing ports ...................................................... 62
Cabling ................................................................. 45 Change of tube optics ....................................... 62
Start-up using the LCD control panel ............. 46
Learn mode .......................................................... 47 Software operation for Leica DM IRE2 ......... 63
Installing the objective prisms ......................... 47 Installing the software ...................................... 63
Learning the IC obective prisms ...................... 47 The microscope configuration program ........ 64
Installing the objectives .................................... 48 The Microscope Assistant ............................... 66
Parfocality ........................................................... 50 Downloading a firmware update ..................... 68
Dry objectives ..................................................... 50 Version numbers ................................................ 68
Oil immersion objectives ................................... 50
Exiting the Learn mode ...................................... 51 Operation of imaging and
Individual user settings ..................................... 51 contrasting techniques .................................... 69
Installing the fluorescence filter cube ........... 52
Concluding the installation ............................... 52 Basic setting for transmitted light ................. 71

Operation ............................................................. 53 Operation of objectives .................................... 78

Motorized objective nosepiece Operation of transmitted light ......................... 79

for Leica DM IRE2 .............................................. 53
Operation of phase contrast ............................ 82
Operation modes for Leica DM IRE2 .............. 54
DRY and IMMERSION ....................................... 54 Operation of transmitted light darkfield ....... 84
Changing the operating mode ......................... 54
Automatic lowering Operation of
of the objective nosepiece ............................... 55 transmitted light polarisation ......................... 85

Brightness adjustment for Leica DM IRE2 .... 56 Operation

of transmitted light interference contrast .... 86
Electronic focus for Leica DM IRE2 ............... 57
Operation of
Mot. fluorescence filter cube change incident light fluorescence ............................. 89
for Leica DM IRB ................................................ 59
Operation of filters ............................................ 96
Mot. fluorescence filter cube change
for Leica DM IRE2 .............................................. 60 Operation of the slide overlay device ........... 97

Operation of the macro device ....................... 98

6
Operation of LMC ............................................... 105
Principle of LMC ................................................. 106
Components ........................................................ 107
Assembly/adjustment ........................................ 108
Areas of application .......................................... 110

Care and maintenance ...................................... 111

Troubleshooting ................................................. 113

Storage ................................................................. 120

Packaging and transport .................................. 120

Performance parameters ................................. 121

Objectives ............................................................ 121
Eyepieces ............................................................ 124
Filters .................................................................... 126
Tubes .................................................................... 127
Condensers ......................................................... 129
Stages and mountable object guides ............. 130
Incident light fluorescence illumination ........ 131
Lamphousings ..................................................... 131

General technical data ..................................... 133

Main wearing and spare parts, tools ............ 134

EU Declaration of Conformity .......................... 135

7
Important notes on this manual
This manual is an integral part of the Leica The manual is multi-lingual. Due to the spiral
DM IRB and Leica DM IRE2 microscopes and binding you can turn the language version you
must be read carefully before you start using want to the front.
the microscope.
The DM IR is available both as a life sciences
This manual contains important instructions and microscope and as a metallographic/industrial
information on the operating safety and microscope. In cases where the function and
maintenance of the system. It must therefore be operation are identical, the same text and
kept in a safe place. illustrations are used in both the separate
instruction manuals.

Text symbols and their meaning:

(1.2) Numbers in brackets, e. g. (1.2) refer to

illustrations, in this example Fig. 1, item 2.

P.20 Numbers with an arrow, e. g. p. 20 refer to a

particular page in this manual.

Special safety information is indicated by the

triangular symbol on the left and is given a
grey background.

!
Caution! Operation errors can damage the
microscope and/or its accessories.

Warning of hot surface.

Explanatory note.

* Not part of all configurations.

8
General safety information
This instrument of safety class 1 has been built Make sure that only fuses of the specified type
and tested according to EN 61 010-1/IEC 1010-1/ and rating are used as replacements. It is
VDE 0411-1, safety standards for electrical forbidden to use mended fuses or to short-
measurement, control and laboratory equip- circuit the fuse holder.
ment.

Attention:
Attention:

The instruments and accessories described

To keep the microscope in this safe condition, in this manual have been safety-tested and
it is essential to note the advice and warn- checked for possible hazards.
ings given in this manual. Before modifying the instrument in any way
or combining it with non-Leica products not
The mains plug must only be inserted into a dealt with in this manual, it is essential to
grounded outlet. consult the Leica agency for your area or the
main factory in Wetzlar!
If an extension cord is used, it must be grounded
as well. Any interruption of the ground Any unauthorized alteration to the micro-
connector inside or outside the microscope or scope or use for which it was not intended
disconnecting the ground connector can make will automatically terminate any warranty
the microscope potentially dangerous. Inten- claim.
tional interruption is forbidden!

Attention:

Using the ground connection, any ac-

cessories connected to the microscope
which have their own and/or a different
power supply can be given the same ground
conductor potential. Please consult our
servicing personnel if you intend to connect
units without a ground conductor.

9
 Attention: Attention:

The electric accessories of the microscope Protect the microscope from major tem-
are not waterproof. If water gets inside them, perature fluctuations. These may lead to
it may cause electrical shock. condensation which can damage the electric
Do not put the microscope and its acces- and optical components.
sories too near a water supply or anywhere
else where water may get inside them.

Attention:

Attention:
Avoid skin contact when using immersion
oil! Ask the supplier for a safety information
Before changing fuses or lamps, always turn sheet!
the mains switch off and disconnect the
mains cable.

10
Field of application
The Leica DM IRB respectively the Leica DM
IRE2 is the logical further development of the
successful inverted research microscope from
Leica. It is used for examinations of cells and
tissue, for micromanipulation and microinjection
tech-niques all the way through to
microdissection or confocal microscopy. The
Leica DM IRB or Leica DM IRE2 has universal
application potential, incorporating all the
contrasting techniques of brightfield, darkfield,
phase contrast, DIC, fluorescence and
Hoffmann modulation contrast, which are all
easy to use and switch between. Variable
illumination and imaging light paths, HCS optics,
modular accessories and a wide range of
peripherals make the large Leica DM IRB or Lei-
ca DM IRE2 research microscope a versatile
and powerful product.

11
The microscope and its components
Key subassemblies
The following views of the whole microscope
show and name important subassemblies of the
microscope and its accessories.

Fig. 1 a,b Leica DM IRB

1 Binocular phototube, 2 Eyepiece adapter tube, 3 Eyepieces, 4 Tube mount (tube change interface), 5 Tube port for photo/TV
connection, 6 Beamsplitter switch eyepiece/photo/TV exit, 7 Mains switch, 8 Brightness adjustment, 9 Lateral TV port,
10 Coaxial coarse and fine drive, 11 Fluorescence module, 12 ICT prism adjustment, 13 Sextuple objective nosepiece, 14 Cent-
ring buttons for incident light field diaphragm, 15 Field diaphragm adjustment, 16 Filters (up to 3 filters e.g. DLF, ALF),
17 Aperture diaphragm adjustment, 18 Lamphousing mount (or mirrorhousing for two lamphousings), 19 Lamphousing, 20 Stage
plate, 21 Analyser, 22 Tube lens module (Bertrand lens and magnification changer), 23 Switch rod for lateral TV port,
24 Transmitted light illumination column, 25 Condenser, 26 Transmitted light lamphousing, 27 Transmitted light field diaphragm,
28 SLR port, 29 Second lamphousing

Fig. 1a View from the right Leica DM IRB Fig. 1b View from the left Leica DM IRB

16 26
3
5 27

2 24
1 17
25 18
20 13
4 6
29
19 12
14
11
15 21
22
28 9
23 10 8
7

12
Fig. 2 a,b Leica DM IRE2
1 Electronics box Leica CRT MIC, 2 RF4 module, 3 Coded IC objective prism disk, 4 Objective change keys (with
individual user settings p. 51 the objective change keys can be switched to the focus keys on the right side of the
microscope), 5 Focus handwheel, 6 Separate control for focusing, 7 Focus keys (with individual user settings p. 51
the focus keys can be switched to the objective change keys on the left side of the microscope), 8 Motorized Tube lens
changer inclusive Bertrandlens, 9 Window for lamp adjustment

Fig. 2 a View from the left Leica DM IRE2 Fig. 2 b View from the right Leica DM IRE2

1 2 3 4 5 6 5 7 8

Fig. 2 c Front control panel Leica DM IRE2

10 Push-buttons and diode display of the RF4 module,
11 Control panel Ports, 12 Front control panel with LC
display, 13 Key for shutter control, 14 Push-buttons for
magnification changer
12

10
13

11 14

13
The stand The electronic stand additionally offers a
motorised objective nosepiece, electronic
There are 5 basic versions of the Leica DM IRB
focusing, IC objective prism coding, LCD display
or leica DM IRE2 stand, which allow over 50
of microscope functions and (optional)
microscope variants to be configured.
motorised filter cube changer (RF4-mot module)
with electric dark flap, control panel, etc. All the
These 5 basic versions are:
above-mentioned stands are also available as
Manual or electronic stand
fluorescence stands with integrated fluores-
With or without integrated fluorescence axis
cence axis. All the fluorescence stands (in-
With or without SLR front port or bottom port
cluding the manual versions) can be fitted with
Lateral photo port 100 % or 80 %
the RF4-mot module.
With or without integrated magnification
changer
Tube mount
The variants and their components, differences The interface between the stand and the tube is
and uses will be explained individually in this called tube mount or tube change interface.
manual. The function and operation of all The tube mount is compatible with DM IR tubes
microscopy techniques and the necessary and the HC R/IR tube adapter which allows the
accessories for the Leica DM IRB and Leica DM use of DM R tubes.
IRE2 will be described and explained in detail in
the Operation section of this manual. Tube
The tube, or its tube lens, produces the primary
First of all, here is a general overview:
image together with the objective.
Stands DM IR tubes consist of a basic part, the
binocular part and the tube change ring. The
The basic stand has a photo port on the left for
trinocular tube also has a photo/TV port. A
the adaption of: TV camera, SLR camera or
switchable mirror either directs the light 100 %
photomicro system. The variants offered send
to the eyepieces or 100 % to the photo port, or
either 100 % or 80 % of the light to this photo
splits it 50 %/50 %.
port.
Performance data of the tubes p. 127 ff.
Besides the lateral photo port, the SLR stand
also has another port facing the front (front HC R/IR tube adapter
port*) which can be equipped with either an
The tube adapter is used to adapt tubes from the
SLR camera or a TV camera with c-mount
DM R range.
connection.

The stand with bottom port cannot be equipped

with an SLR front port. This variant is only
produced at a customers specific request.

14
Eyepieces Aperture diaphragm
A magnified, virtual image of the actual The aperture diaphragm determines the
intermediate image produced by the objective is resolution, field depth and contrast of the
produced with the eyepieces. They act as a microscope image. The best resolution is
magnifier. achieved when the apertures of the objectives
Performance data of the eyepieces p. 124 ff. and the condenser are roughly the same.

Brightness adjustment
A 12 V 100 W transformer is built into the stand Attention:
for stepless regulation of brightness with the
brightness control. The aperture diaphragm in the illumination
With the electronic version Leica DM IRE2 the light path is not intended for adjusting the
brightness can be adjusted with the separate brightness of the image. This should only be
x/y/z control. done by using the controls for lamp
adjustment or the neutral light damping filter.
Coarse and fine control
The coarse and fine focus control allows fast Condenser
and precise focusing of the microscope image.
The condenser is a lens system through which
Focusing is done by a vertical movement of the
the light is collected and focused on the
objective nosepiece. The vertical movement
specimen underneath. The condenser is de-
range is 9 mm.
signed to utilise the numerical aperture of the
With the electronic variant Leica DM IRE2 the
objective.
separate x/y/z control can be used for focusing.
Condenser height adjustment
Mains switch
The markings on the transmitted light illumi-
The mains switch is used for switching the
nation column indicate the height settings of the
microscope power supply on and off.
different condensers.
Incident light fluorescence device
Specimen stages and accessories
The variant with incident light fluorescence
The specimen stage supports the specimens
device contains the integrated fluorescence
that are to be examined through the mi-
axis. The fluorescence stand also comprises the
croscope. Several options are available to
fluo-rescence module which takes 4 filter
accommodate the wide variety of specimens
cubes. This module is also available as a
examined, such as object guides, extension
motorised variant under the name RF4-mot
plates, specimen clips, scanning stage, heating
module.
stage, etc.

15
Objective nosepiece and objectives Lamphousings
The objective nosepiece is used to hold the A variety of lamphousings are offered for the
objectives. L objectives with long working Leica DM IRB and Leica DM IRE2 (for halogen,
distances, for example, are specially corrected mercury or xenon lamps). The description and
to respect different thicknesses of vessel bases. area of application can be found in the operation
All microscope objectives from magnification section of this manual.
1.6x to 100x can be used. All objectives from the
DM L and DM R range with 25 mm thread are Filters
compatible. The performance data of Leica
Filters are generally used to enhance the
objectives can be found in the chapter Perfor-
contrast of the specimen and are assembled in
mance Data p. 121ff or on the relevant
the illumination column. A variety of different
objective lists available from your Leica agency.
filters are easily changed.

Transmitted light illumination unit

The transmitted light illumination unit consists of
the lamphousing and the transmitted light
illumination column. The transmitted light
lamphousing comprises a precentred 12 V 100 W
halogen lamp and a filter module for three
swing-in filters.

Field diaphragm
The field diaphragm is used to produce Koehler
illumination.

16
Installation site
The microscope should be used in a dust-free
room which is free of oil and chemical fumes
and extreme humidity. Also, the workplace Attention:
should not be exposed to major temperature
fluctuations, direct sunlight or vibrations. These
may impair measurements or photographs of the Lamphousings* and power units* must be
microscope image. placed at least 10 cm away from the wall and
from flammable objects.
Ambient conditions:
Temperature 1036 C
Relative humidity 080% up to 30C

Microscopes in warm and humid climates need

special care to prevent build-up of fungus.
Further details are given in the chapters Care and
maintenance p. 111 and Storage p. 120.

17
Unpacking Installation
Please compare the delivery carefully with the First take all the components out of the
packing note, delivery note or invoice. We transport and packing material.
strongly recommend that you keep a copy of
these documents with the manual, so that you Put the basic Leica DM IRB or Leica DM IRE2
have information on the time and scope of the stand on a desk which has enough room for it.
delivery later when ordering more equipment or
when the microscope is serviced. Make sure
that no small parts are left in the packing
material. Some of our packing material has Attention:
symbols indicating environment-friendly recy-
cling. On no account should the microscope be
connected to the power socket yet!
n.b.:

Keep the packing material for storage and

transport of the microscope and its accessories.

! Attention:
Try to avoid touching the lens surfaces of the
optics. Any fingermarks on the glass surfaces
should be removed with a soft leather or linen
cloth. Even small amounts of finger
perspiration can attack the surfaces of
optical instruments within a short time. Furt-
her information is given in the Maintenance
and Cleaning chapters p. 111.

18
Assembly
Assembly tools Assembly of the transmitted light illumination
column TL
Installation and assembly of the microscope
should preferably be carried out together with a Wipe off the interface surface (4.3) with a dry
member of Leica sales or service staff. cloth. Tilt the illumination column (4.1) slightly to
Only a few ordinary screwdrivers are required the back and insert so that the pin (4.2) engages
for assembly, and these are supplied with the in the groove of the interface surface (4.4).
microscope (3).
Erect the TL illumination column and secure with
the 4 screws.

When screwing on the TL illumination column,

do not hold onto it so that optimal alignment to
the optical axis is guaranteed. The angle of tilt of
the illumination column can be varied or
clamped securely in the vertical position with
the knurled screw (5.1).

Fig. 3 Assembly tools

1 Cross-tip screwdriver*, 2 Hexagonal screwdriver, 3 mm,
3 Centring keys, 2 mm*, 4 Centring keys, 1.5 mm*, 5 Allen key,
3 mm*, 6 Allen key, 2.5 mm* (short version)

1
3
2
4

6
5

19
The lamphousing for transmitted light Assembly of condensers
illumination for 12 V 100 W halogen lamps with
The technical description of the condensers can
single-lens aspherical collector and heat
be found in the chapter Performance data
protection filter is an integral part of the
p. 121ff.
transmitted light illumination column. The halo-
All condensers of the Leica DM IRB and Leica
gen lamp is preassembled. The chapter on
DM IRE2 are equipped with a 6-position rotating
Troubleshooting includes a description of how to
disc (6.2 and 8.3) and can be individually fitted
assemble and change halogen lamps p. 31ff.
with the corresponding annular diaphragms for
phase contrast (PH), darkfield (DF) or IC prisms
The cable on the illumination column can then
for TL interference contrast (ICT) (10).
be connected to the 12 V 100 W socket on the
Usually the annular diaphragms are already
back of the microscope stand.
inserted in the condenser disc in the factory, so
you will not normally have to fit them yourself.
The condenser disc (11.5) is removed from the
condenser by slackening the screw (11.4) on the
underneath of the condenser.

Fig. 4 Assembly of transmitted light illumination column Fig. 5 Transmitted light illumination column, back view
1 Transmitted light illumination column, 2 Pin of TL illu- 1 Knurled screw for clamping the transmitted light illumi-
mination column, 3 Support surface, 4 Groove of support nation column
surface, 5 Drill holes for fixing screws

3 5
2

1
5
4

20
Insert the light rings for Phaco (identified by the Fit IC condenser prisms if appropriate (see
code numbers 0, 1, 2, 3 and the intercept assembly of ICT objective prisms p. 27).
distance S of the corresponding condenser top, Insert the plastic labels (10.7) in the disc
e. g. 2 S1) and the DF diaphragm (identified by D (12.2), allocating them to the corresponding
for darkfield and the intercept distance S of the diaphragms.
corresponding condenser top, e. g. D S1, see Mark any empty holes with white labels.
table p. 129) in the slots of the disc as follows:
Insert the disc into the condenser with notches
Slightly unscrew the two centring screws (10.6) facing upwards towards the aperture
(10.11) using the supplied centring key (12.1). diaphragm (6.3 and 8.4) and screw down (11.4).
Insert the diaphragms so that the mount fits
under the spring (10.3) of the slot.
When the light rings are assembled, their
identification code must be visible i.e. pointing
upwards (12.3, 12.4 and 12.5).
Insert the light rings in the order 0, 1, 2, 3. The
DF diaphragm can only be inserted in a large
hole.
Using the centring keys, screw the centring
screws back in until they no longer protrude
over the outer edge of the disc.

Fig. 6 Condenser 0.30 S70 Fig. 7 Condenser holder

1 Condenser top 0.30 S70 (not for use with condenser base 1 Condenser slide changer, 2 Condenser centring screws,
(8.1)), 2 Condenser disc, 3 Aperture diaphragm, 4 Filter holder, 3 Condenser height adjustment, 4 Condenser clamp screw,
5 Condenser clamp screw, 6 Condenser base 5 Screw for clamping the condenser holder

4 6
1 3
5

2
3 5
4
1
2

21
 5 1

4 3

Fig. 8 Condenser 0.53 S23

2
1 Condenser base, 2 Condenser top 0.53 S23 (inter-
changeable), 3 Condenser disc, 4 Aperture diaphragm, 5 Filter
holder, 6 Dovetail guide

1
3
2

Fig. 9 Condenser tops for condenser base (8.1)

1 Condenser top 0.53 S23, 2 Condenser top 0.90 S1, 4
3 Condenser top P 1.40 OIL S1, 4 Spacer ring for assembling
9.2 and 9.3

6
1
10 11

2
9
Fig. 10 6-position condenser disc, empty 4 3
1 Condenser disc with slots for light rings and IC condenser
prisms, 2 Guide groove for IC condenser prisms (2nd groove is 4
8 5
concealed, 3 Spring, 4 Holes for centring keys, 5 Spaces for 7
label plates, 6 Notches, 7 Label plates, 8 Light ring for
darkfield, 9 IC condenser prism with 2 guide cams, 10 Light
ring for phase contrast, 11 Centring screws

22
Assembly of IC condenser prisms When the prisms are inserted, their
identification code, e. g. K10, must be visible
The IC condenser prisms are assembled at the
and pointing towards the centre of the disc
factory. The following steps are only necessary
(12.6 and 12.7).
in case of a retrofit:
Using the centring keys, screw the centring
Remove the condenser disc (11.5) by slackening
screws back in until they no longer protrude
the screw (11.4) on the underneath of the
over the outer edge of the disc. The prism is
condenser.
adjusted with the left centring screw only (see
Using the centring keys (12.1), slightly un-
operation of ICT). The right centring screw
screw the two centring screws (10.11).
must never restrict the adjustment range.
IC condenser prisms can only be inserted into
Assemble the light rings and DF diaphragm if
the large holes of the condenser disc which
appropriate (see previous section).
have guide grooves (10.2).
Insert the label plates (10.7) corresponding to
Insert the IC condenser prisms in ascending
the relevant IC condenser prism.
order, e. g. K1, K2 and so that the mount fits
Mark any empty holes with white labels.
under the spring (10.3) in the slot and the
Remove any finger marks or dust on the
2 guide cams engage in the grooves of the
prisms carefully.
condenser disc (10.2).
Put the condenser disc back in the condenser
with the notches (10.6) facing upwards
towards the aperture diaphragm (6.3 and 8.4).
Screw down the disc (11.4).

Fig. 12 6-position condenser disc, fully equipped

Fig. 11 Condenser 0.90 S1 (bottom up) 1 Centring keys for centring screws (in working position),
1 Condenser base, 2 Condenser top 0.90 S1, 3 Spacer ring, 2 Label plates, 3, 4 Light rings for phase contrast, 5 Light ring
4 Fixing screw for condenser disc, 5 Condenser disc for darkfield, 6, 7 IC condenser prisms, 8 Hole for brightfield

3 2 1

4 6 7 8
5
4 3

5
1 2 1

23
Condenser top Assembly of the condensers to the illumination
column
A special base and the top of condenser 0.30
S70 form a self-contained unit (Fig. 6). Condenser 0.30 S70
The condenser top 0.30 S70 (13.4) cannot be
Tilt the TL illumination column to the back (13.1).
used with the general condenser base (8.1).
Insert the condenser 0.30 S70 (13.4) from below
The condenser top 0.53 S23 (8.2 and 9.1) is
into the dovetail guide of the illumination column
screwed straight on to the condenser base (8.1).
(13.2), with the condenser top pointing towards
A spacer ring (9.4 and 11.3) must be used for
the microscope stage. Adjust the height of the
assembling the condenser tops 0.90 S1 and
condenser until its upper edge is flush with the
P 1.40 OIL S1 (9.2 and 9.3).
condenser height marking S70 on the illumi-
nation column. Secure the condenser with the
supplied hexagonal screwdriver. Erect the TL
illumination column.

Fig. 13 Assembly of condenser 0.30 S70

1 Transmitted light illumination column (tilted), 2 Dovetail
guide, 3 Condenser height markings S1, S23 and S70, Fig. 14 Assembly of condenser 0.30 S70
4 Condenser 0.30 S70, 5 Condenser clamp screw, 6 Field 1 Condenser 0.30 S70 in working position (upper edge of
diaphragm clamp screw, 7 Transmitted light lamphousing condenser is flush with condenser height marking S70)

7
6

1
2
1
3
4
5

24
Condensers 0.53 S23 and 0.90 S1
With the illumination column tilted to the back,
insert the condenser holder (15.4) into the
dovetail guide of the illumination column from
below (15.2). The condenser height adjustment
should point to the left. Adjust the height of the
condenser holder until its upper edge coincides
with the condenser height marking S23 or S1 on
the illumination column (16.1), depending on the
Fig. 15 Assembly of condenser holder
condenser top used. Secure the condenser hold- 1 Transmitted light illumination column, 2 Dovetail guide,
er with the hexagonal screwdriver and clamp 3 Condenser height markings S1, S23 and S70, 4 Condenser
screw (15.5). Mount the base part of the holder, 5 Clamp screw for securing the condenser holder,
condenser with the dovetail guide (8.6) to the 6 Clamp screw for field diaphragm module, 7 Transmitted light
lamphousing
slide change mechanism (7.1) of the condenser
holder (17). The condenser top should point
downwards and the aperture diaphragm control
towards the front (17.3). Slacken the clamp
screw (17.5) and push the condenser back as far 7
6
as the stop. Retighten the clamp screw (17.5)
slightly.
1
2
3

4 5

Fig. 16 Assembly of condenser holder Fig. 17 Assembly of 0.53 S23 condenser

1 Condenser holder in working position for condenser 1 Dovetail guide of the condenser, 2 Sliding condenser
0.53 S23 (upper edge of condenser holder coincides with changer, 3 Aperture diaphragm adjustment, 4 Condenser top
condenser height marking S23) 0.53 S23, 5 Condenser clamp screw

2 5

1 1
3

25
Assembly of field diaphragm Assembly of filters and filter holder
To enable Koehler illumination when using The Leica DM IRB and Leica DM IRE2 are
condensers 0.53 S23 and 0.90 S1, a field equipped with a holder with spaces for 3 filters
diaphragm has to be assembled. Insert the field with 40 mm diameter.
diaphragm module (18.1) into the mount (Fig. The filters are already fitted into the holder at
18.4) from below. The diaphragm adjustment the factory. If you are retrofitting filters yourself,
(18.2) should point in the direction of the tube. assemble as follows:
Secure with clamp screw (18.3).
Slacken the clamp screws (Fig. 19.1) and
remove the filter holder.
Put the filters into the holder (20).
Mount the filter holder onto the TL illumination
Fig. 18 Assembly of field diaphragm column and secure in position with the clamp
1 Field diaphragm module, 2 Field diaphragm adjustment, screws.
3 Clamp screw for securing the field diaphragm module,
4 Mount

3
4
1
2

Fig. 19 Assembly of filters

1 Clamp screw for securing the filter holder Fig. 20 Assembly of filter holder for 3 filters

26
Assembling the ICT objective prisms Remove the front cover (22.2) under the
objective nosepiece (23.1) after slackening the
Assembling the IC module and IC objective
Allen screws (22.4).
prisms
Insert the IC prism disc (22.1) in the mount and
The IC prism disc with the IC prisms ordered by tighten with the two Allen screws. n. b.: insert
the customer are already assembled in the the prism disc with the prism mount pointing
microscope at the factory. In case you want to downwards.
retrofit the IC prism disc, please proceed as
follows: Retrofitting individual IC prisms:
Please align prisms against the stop pin (21.4)
and only screw down lightly to avoid strain.
Insert the prisms so that the code letter, e. g. A
points upwards and is readable.
Label the position of the prism on the front of the
ICR prism disc with a label plate (22.5).
Fig. 21 IC objective prism disc without fixing knurl
1 IC objective prism in mount, 2 Code letter (e. g. A), 3 Washer Examples of prisms:
and screw, 4 Stop pin
Prism A for objectives N PLAN 5x, 10x.
3 1 2 4 Prisms D and D1 both for objectives N PLAN
20x, 50x, 100x and HC PL FLUOTAR 5x 100x.

Fig. 22 Assembly of IC objective prism module Fig. 23 Assembly of IC objective prism module
1 IC objective prism module, 2 Cover, 3 Fixing screw, 4 Hole 1 Objective nosepiece, 2 Mount for IC objective prism
for fixing screws, 5 Label plates module, 3 Stop pins

3
1
1
4 2
3 3
2
5 6

27
Differences between prism D and D1 Inserting the analyser
Prism D is the standard prism with greater Remove the blind slide ( p.12, Abb. 1b.21) and
shearing and therefore higher detection sensi- insert the analyser (24.2) from the left as far as
tivity for minute topological and refractive index the 1st clickstop.
variations in the specimen. Prism D1 has smaller
shearing than prism D. Inserting the polariser
However, prism D1 is better at resolving details
The polariser is inserted into the filter holder of
of fine specimen structures.
the condenser. In addition a whole-wave
compensator is applied to the back of the
polariser. It is activated by turning the polariser
over, in order to enable colour contrasting in
polarisation or interference contrast (the com-
pensator is active when the lambda symbol is
visible from above).

Fig. 24 Polariser/analyser Fig. 25 Condenser 0.53 S23

1 Polariser POL , 2 Analyser ICT

1 Filter holder with polariser inserted (swung out)

2
1

28
Inserting the fluorescence module Assembly of the lamphousing mount, mirror
housing, lamphousing, illumination telescope
The fluorescence module (Fig. 26) is part of the
fluorescence stand, but is also available as a 1. Insert the lamphousing mount or mirror
retrofit kit. To retrofit the fluorescence module, housing in the back panel and screw down
remove the blind cover from the stand. The with Allen screws. Engage the guide pin of
fluorescence module can be fitted with up to the lamphousing mount (29.1) in the back
four different filter cubes (26.3). They are panel of the microscope stand (28.2).
inserted into the dovetail mount (26.2) of the 2. Hold the lamphousings 107/2, 107, 106 z
fluorescence module with their engraving facing against the lamphousing mount and secure
downwards (towards the turret plate). The with the fixing screw (Fig. 31).
fluorescence module is inserted on a dovetail 3. We recommend using the illumination
guide into its slot on the stand by pushing it as telescope for gas discharge lamps. This is
far as the stop. One part of the fluorescence inserted between the lamphousing mount
module is the anti-glare protection (27.1), which and the lamphousing 106 z (30.4) and
can be inserted between the tube and the stage. magnifies the image of the focal point of the
Proceed in the same way if you are inserting a lamp by the factor 2x in the entrance pupil of
motorised filter cube changer instead of the the objective. This results in a significantly
manual filter module. Also read the manual for higher illumination intensity for fluorescence.
the electronic version.

Fig. 26 Fluorescence module

1 Rotatable turret, 2 Dovetail mounts for filter cubes (the
numbers 1 4 are markings of the assembly positions),
3 Filter cubes, 4 Display of the position in the light path,
5 Switch rod with BG 38 and light stop Fig. 27 Anti-glare protection

3 2

5
1
4

29
4. Connect the lamp plug to the connecting
socket in the stand (28.3). ! n.b.:
5. Insert light filters, 50 mm into the 2 spaces Connect the appliance cable to the mains
in the lamphousing mounts (29.4). socket on the microscope stand (28.4)!

Fig. 28 Back view of Leica DM IRB Fig. 29 Lamphousing mount

1 Space for assembling a lamphousing mount or mirror 1 Guide pin, 2 Lateral lamphousing mount, 3 Dovetail ring for
housing, 2 Hole for guide pin, 3 Socket for lamp plug, 4 Mains mounting to stand, 4 2 spaces for light filters, 5 Allen screws
socket, 5 Potential equalisation for fixing
Similar for Leica DM IRE2

2 1 4

2
1
5
3 4 3

Fig. 30 Mirror housing and illumination telescope Fig. 31 Lamphousing 106 z L

1 Lever for mirror switching, 2 Lateral lamphousing mount 1 Collector adjustment, 2 Vertical lamp adjustment, 3 Horizon-
with fixing screw, 3 Back lamphousing mount with Allen tal lamp adjustment, 4 Mount ring
screw, 4 Illumination telescope for gas discharge lamps

2
3 2

4 3
1
1

30
Assembling and exchanging incident light Lamphousing 107 L
lamps
Slacken the fixing screw on the cover and lift off
Exchanging the 12 V 100 W halogen lamp: the cover (Fig. 32a and 32b). Move the collector
to the front and pull the defect 12 V 100 W lamp
out of the base towards the front. Without
Attention: removing its protective cover, put a new lamp
into the base, without tilting, as far as it will go.
Disconnect the lamp and lamphousing from
the power supply. Pull out the mains plug. Attention:

Leave the protective cover on the lamp until it

is in position.
Avoid making finger marks or wipe off
immediately. Close the lamphousing.

Fig. 32a c Lamphousing 107 L

1 Mount with halogen lamp, 2 Collector

b c

31
Lamphousing 106 z L
Slacken the fixing screw on the lid (33.10). Pull Attention:
the cut-out plug slightly out of the socket and flip
up lid (33.11; 33.1). It is important to leave the protective cover
Move the collector to the front and lift the defect on the lamp until it is in position.
lamp out of the base (33.1; 33.2; 33.3). For Avoid making finger marks or wipe off
convenience, the lamp holder can be removed immediately. Close the lamphousing.
from the lamphousing as well. To do this,
slacken the fixing screws on the lamp holder
(33.10) and pull out lamp holder (Fig. 34).
Without removing its protective cover, put a new
lamp into the base, without tilting, as far as it will
go.

Fig. 33 Lamphousing 106 z L

1 Lid, flipped up, 2 Collector, 3 12 V 100 W halogen lamp or gas
discharge lamp in holder, 4, 9 Cover fixing screws, 5 Reflector,
6, 7, 8 x-y adjustment screw for reflector, 10 Fixing screws for
lamp mount, 11 Socket for contact plug Fig. 34 12 V 100 W lamp holder with halogen lamp

5
6
2
7 3
8
9 4

10 11 10

32
Assembling and exchanging incident light Lamphousing 106 z L
lamps
Besides the halogen lamp, the following gas
Assembling and exchanging Hg and Xe lamps discharge lamps can be used, which each
require different lamp holders (Fig. 35) and
Power units:
power units:
Hg and Xe lamps are powered by separate
Type Average life span
power units.
Hg ultra high pressure lamp 150 W (A.C.) 100 h
Please make sure to read the special manuals Xe high pressure lamp 175 W (D.C. stabilised) 400 h
Hg ultra high pressure lamp 100 W (D.C. stabilised/non-stabilised) 200 h
for these power units.
Hg ultra high pressure lamp 100 W (D.C. stabilised/non-stabilised,
type 103 W/2) 300 h

Fig. 35 a-d Lamp holders for gas discharge lamps

1 Upper clamp, 2 Seal point of the burner, 3 Lower clamp, 4, 6 Lamp holder screws, 5 Socket for cut-out plug, 7 Protective cover

a b
Hg 50 Xe 75
1
1 7

2
3
3

5
6

c d
Hg 100 Hg 100
1
Stab. 1

33
 Always insert the burner so that
Attention:

Attention:
It is extremely important to heed the follow-
ing advice!
1. the lettering is upright after insertion (dif-
Always disconnect the power unit from the ferent diameters of the metal base for the
mains before assembling the lamphousing Hg 100 and Xe 75 burners ensure that these
106 z. are always inserted the right way up).
Wait for the lamphousing to cool down for at
least 15 minutes as otherwise it may explode. 2. if the bulb has a seal point ( 35a.2), the
Never touch glass parts of the burner with burner is turned so that this point will be at
your bare hands as finger perspiration burns the side, not in the light path.
in.
Wipe off any finger perspiration and dirt with Put the upper pin of the burner between the
a clean cloth. clamps of the flexible power supply and clamp
Adjust the lamps immediately after ignition. with screw (33.5).
Never look directly into the light path (risk of Unscrew the stud (35.3) in the holder slightly,
glare). insert the lower end of the metal base and
Always wear the supplied gloves and face retighten the stud.
mask when assembling Xe burners (risk of
explosion). To exchange the collector on the lamphousing
Avoid switching on and off frequently, as this 106 z:
greatly reduces the life of the lamp. Using the focusing knob (36.1), move the
Do not ignite hot Hg lamps again until they collector to the rearmost position. Pull the
have cooled down. focusing knob of the collector outwards so that
It is best to keep a record of the number of the collector can be removed.
hours a lamp has been in use (hour counter in
the power unit) and compare it with the
manufacturers specifications. ! Attention:
Spent burners become discoloured and Make sure that the lamp base and the power
should be exchanged before the specified life unit have the same number. If the lamp base is
expectancy has expired. marked L1, for example, L1 must also be set on
the power unit to make full use of the lamp and
The LH 106 z L is opened by undoing the fixing not to shorten its life.
screws on the lid (33.10).
Pull the cut-out plug slightly out of its socket and
flip up lid (33.11, 33.1).

34
Move the collector to the front position with the Assembly of the tubes and tube adapter HC R/IR
focusing knob (36.1).
Using a screwdriver, slacken the clamp screw
(37.1; 38.1; 39.1) on the side of the tube change
mount on the stand, mount the tube (37; 38; 39)
Attention: or tube adapter HC R/IR (40) (clamp screw
points to the right) and align with edges parallel
Remove the protective cover from the burner. to the microscope (the Siedentopf binocular
points upwards in a V shape).
Put the lamp holder with burner inserted into the
lamphousing and secure with the screws
(10.10). Try moving the collector (36.1): it must ! Attention:
not touch the power lead. When closing the
Hold on to the tube adapter until the clamp
lamphousing, make sure that the pins of the cut-
screw is tightened.
out plug engage in the sockets (35.11). Retighten
the screws of the lid. Push the cut-out plug in as
The guide pin in the tube mount of the stand
far as it will go.
must fit into the groove of the tube change
Attach the lamphousing to the microscope and
interface or interface of the tube adapter HC R/IR.
connect to the power unit (compare mains
Retighten the clamp screw. The procedure is the
voltage!).
same for mounting the tube on the HC R/IR
adapter. Similarly, the DM R tubes can be
Adjust the burner immediately after ignition.
connected via this adapter, e. g. the binocular
observation and photo tube HC FSA 25 PE (41.1),
viewing angle 30.
With side port for reflecting measurement
scales and marks into the microscope image
(slide overlay) and for connecting the
Fig. 36 Lamphousing 106 z L with Hg 100 W lamp MACRODUAL ZOOM device.
1 Collector focusing, 2 Lamp adjustment, vertical, 3 Lamp
Field of view index up to 22.
adjustment, horizontal, 4 Lamp holder Hg, 5 Reflector
adjustment (not visible)
Eyepiece diameter 30 mm for HL PLAN 10x/20 or
22 eyepieces.
Eyepieces with larger field of view numbers are
not recommended for use on the DM IRB.

3
1

35
The following tubes from the Leica DM R range Photo port for 1 photo/TV connection (43.2)
are also adaptable: Photo port for 2 photo/TV connections (43.1)
Bino HC BSA 25 (42.1) Switchable 100 %/100 % (25.3)
Trino HC FSA 25 P and PR (42.2)
(P + PR = with and without back reflection) All Leica DM R trinocular tubes have the
following beamsplitting system:
100 % vis., 100 % photo or 50 %/50 %.

Fig. 37 HCI B22, binocular tube with 45 viewing angle, field

of view up to 22 mm, eyepiece diameter 30 mm for HC PLAN
10x/20 or 22 eyepieces, interpupillary distance setting:
55 75 mm
1 Clamp screw, 2 Eyepiece port, 3 Siedentopf binocular part

1
Fig. 38 HCI 3T 22 trinocular tube with 45 viewing angle
Light path: 100 % vis switch rod
150 % 50 % switch rod
100 % photo switch rod
Field of view index up to 22, eyepiece diameter 30 mm for HC Fig. 39 HCI BV22, ergo binocular tube with 15 50 viewing
PLAN 10x/20 or 22 eyepieces, interpupillary distance setting: angle, field of view index up to 22, eyepiece diameter 30 mm
55 75 mm for HC PLAN 10x/20 or 22 eyepieces, interpupillary distance
1 Clamp screw, 2 Eyepiece port, 3 Siedentopf binocular part, setting: 55 75 mm
4 Photo/TV exit, 5 Switch rod 1 Clamp screw, 2 Eyepiece port, 3 Siedentopf binocular part

2 2

4 3
3

5 1
1

36
 Fig. 41 Tubes from the DM R range
1 HC FSA 25 PE, 2 Side port for optical overlay,
3 Tube adapter IR HC, 4 Clamp screw for mounting the
Fig. 40 adapter to the stand, 5 Clamp screw for mounting the tube to
1 Tube adapter HC R/IR, 2 Clamp screw the adapter, 6 Photo/TV port

1
2
2
1 5
3

Fig. 42 Leica DM R HC tubes

1 HC BSA 25, 2 HC FSA 25 P + PR, 3 Beamsplitter switch rod,
4 Mount for photo adapter tube, 5 Clamp for photo adapter Fig. 43 Photo adapter tube
tube, 6 Clickstop position for Pol eyepieces, 7 Socket for 1 Photo adapter tube with 2 exits, 2 Photo adapter tube with
control cable (PR tube only) 1 exit, 3 100 % / 100 % switch rod, 4 Clamp screw

b
3 1 2 4
1 3 2 4 5

6 7

37
Adaption of the slide overlay device and the
macro dual system
With the Leica DM IRB or Leica DM IRE2
inverted microscope, the slide overlay and
macro devices can only be adapted onto the
FSA 25 PE tube.
This tube has a side flange (44.1) for mounting Fig. 44 Slide overlay device on the FSA 25 PE tube (with tube
the reflection optics. These reflection optics are adapter/45)
used for mechanical and optical adaption of the 1 Tube flange, 2 Coupling ring of reflection optics, 3 Reflection
optics, 4 Coupling ring of slide overlay device, 5 Knurled
slide overlay device and the macro dual zoom focusing ring, 6 Slide holder 5 x 5 cm, 7 Filter slot, 8 Illumina-
system. tion adapter tube of lamphousing
The slide overlay device consists of the
reflection optics (44.3), the illumination unit with
6 V 4 W halogen lamp (44.8), the standard
5 x 5 cm slide holder (44.6) and the control (44.5)
for focusing the slides. The halogen lamp is 5 7
powered by a separate transformer (Fig. 45). 12 3 4 6 8
Mount the reflection optics (44.3) onto the tube
flange (44.1) with the coupling ring (44.2),
ensuring that the guide pin engages in the
groove, and screw down. In the same way,
screw the slide overlay device with coupling
ring to the reflection optics, again watching the
position of the guide pin.

Fig. 46 Macro device on FSA 25 PE tube with tube adapter/45

1 Tube flange, 2 Coupling ring, 3 Reflection optics, 4 Coupling
ring, 5 Macro adapter, 6 Screw ring, 7 Zoom setting ring 1 : 4,
8 Scale of zoom factor, 9 Scale of magnification factor of the
working distance, 10 Scale of object distance from the bottom
Fig. 45 Transformer edge of the mirror housing, 11 Mirror housing

7 9
12 3 4 5 6 8 10 11

38
To adapt the macrodual system screw the
reflection optics (46.3) to the tube flange with ! Important!
the coupling ring (46.2). Align the macro adapter Be very careful to keep the optical surfaces
(46.5) to the macro dual zoom and secure with clean. Any dust particles and finger marks will
the screw ring (46.6). Screw the macro adapter show up in the image.
and macro dual zoom to the reflection optics
with the coupling ring. The graticule diameter for all HC PLAN eye-
Check that the guide pin engages in the groove. pieces is 26 mm.

Inserting the eyepieces Eyepieces 10x/20 M and 12.5/16 M only:

The eyepieces are inserted into the eyepiece Screw the retaining sleeve out of the under-
tubes. neath of the eyepiece.
Insert the graticule with the coated side
Use the following eyepieces only: facing downwards (towards the objective). If
there is any lettering on the graticule it must
HC PLAN 10x/20 be imaged the right way round when viewed
HC PLAN 10x/20 M in the later observation direction.
HC PLAN 10x/22 Screw the retaining sleeve back in.
HC PLAN 10x/22 M
HC PLAN 12.5x/16 M Eyepieces 10x/22 M only:
Widefield 16x/14 B (M) Screw out the underneath of the eyepiece.
Widefield 25x/9.5 B (M) Remove the retainer ring inside it with a blunt
(a spacer ring is required for the widefield objectives) blade.
Insert the graticule with the coated side
Information on the diameter, the visible area of facing downwards (towards the objective). If
the specimen and the total magnification of the there is any lettering on the graticule it must
microscope can be found in the chapter be imaged the right way round when viewed
Technical data; performance data. in the later observation direction.
Screw the retainer ring back in.
Inserting graticules* Screw the underneath of the eyepiece back
in.
You can retrofit graticules yourself to the
HC PLAN eyepieces in the above list.

Graticules can only be inserted in eyepieces

with an adjustable eyelens = M type. The sec-
ond eyepiece should be an M type as well.

39
Inserting the photoeyepieces* If any positions remain unoccupied, close them
with a screw cover to prevent dust penetrating
The HC PLAN observation eyepieces (slot-in
the microscope optics.
diameter 30 mm) are designed for direct visual
observation. For the adaption of photo-micro-
Please note that the front lenses of the
graphic equipment with a fixed magnification
objectives point upwards and are therefore
factor, e. g. DM LD and MPS systems, and for
more exposed to contamination than those on
special TV adaption systems, special eyepieces
upright microscopes.
with a slot-in diameter of 27 mm and the
Therefore check fairly frequently that the front
engraving HC...PHOTO are used (note the
lens is clean.
adapter!)
See special manual for further details on
A constantly updated optics sheet outlines the
adapting photo and video equipment.
current range of objectives that can be used on
the Leica DM IRB and Leica DM IRE2. Ask your
Leica agency for a copy.
Screwing objectives in and out
For the electronic version of the microscope, the Assembling the stages, the plane stage and
Leica DM IRE2, the objectives are screwed in object guide
during the initial installation (see relevant
Plane stage
chapter). For the manual version, proceed as
follows: The plane stage is fixed to the microscope with
3 screws (48.4). The object guide can be
Remove the screw covers from the objective mounted to either the right or the left of the
threads. plane stage (48.2).
Screw the objectives into the openings in the
eyepiece so that the magnification can be
changed in steps (e.g. in the order 4, 10, 20, 40).
Fig. 48 Plane stage
1 Insert ring, 20/40 mm diameter, 2 Drill holes for mountable
object guide, 3 Drill holes for specimen clips, 4 Drill holes for
Fig. 47 securing the stage

2
3 1 3

4 2 4

40
3-plate x/y stage To assemble the square insert plate:
The 3-plate x/y stage no. 19, size 247 x 230 mm,
1. Insert the corner of the insert plate that is
x-y adjustment range 60 x 40 mm, is delivered in
marked red (50.5) at an angle from above into
separate packaging and assembled as follows:
the corner of the stage that is also marked
red and is fitted with a spring (50.5).
This stage is usually delivered with the DM IRM,
so the description of its assembly has been
taken from the DM IRM manual! ! Attention:
Only press the spring at the side!
1. Screw the 3 Allen screws out of the stage
support surfaces and wipe any remains of
Do not press the square insert plate onto the
packaging or dust, etc. from the stage with a
spring from above, as the insert will then not
clean cloth.
be aligned plane-parallel to the stage and
2. Align the stage with the x-y drive (49.1) at the
can be bent.
front right and lay it so that its undersurface
2. Insert the round stage inserts into the
rests on the stage support surfaces.
opening (50.1).
3. Align the drill holes in the stage over those in
the support surface. If the drill holes are
covered, please adjust the upper stage plate
with the x-y stage drive.
4. Screw down the stage with Allen screws.

Fig. 49 3-plate x/y stage no. 19 without inserts Fig. 50 3-plate x/y stage
1 Stage drive, 2 Rear fixing holes, 3 Front fixing hole (not 1 Insert ring, 20/40 mm diameter, 2 Drill holes for specimen
visible, concealed by stage plate), 4 Corner with red dot and clips, 3 Drill holes for securing the stage, 4 Coaxial drive for
spring specimen positioning with universal joint, 5 Red markings

2 2 3 5 2 1 2

3
4
3

1
4

41
Rotary stage and insert frame for coverslips Connecting the microscope to the mains
The rotary stage (51) is secured with 3 screws When you have installed all the components as
(51.3). The rotary mount has to be moved to described, you can connect the microscope to
make all the screw holes accessible. Align the the power supply with the mains cable.
screws (51.2).

!
If you have the manual version of the Leica DM
IRB, installation is now complete and you can
Attention:
jump to the Operation chapter.
Washers (51.3) should be used as well for the
back drill holes. Only screw the screws in lightly, If you have a DM IRE2 model (i. e. the electronic
as the rotary stage first has to be pressed into version), there are more instructions in the
the centre. This is done by inserting the following chapter The E-Version Leica DM IRE2.
centration aid (51.4) into the rotary stage.
Engage the Bertrand lens by turning the knurl
and focus with the slider on the knurl. Move the
stage until the bright circle is in the centre of the
field of view. Then secure the stage in position,
disengage the Bertrand lens and remove the
centration aid. To secure specimen slides in the
frame inserts (52.1), press on the middle of the
leaf spring (52.2) and slide in the coverslip in the
direction of the arrow. Clamp the frame insert in
the object guide (51.1).

Fig. 51 Rotary stage

1 Object guide, 2 Screws for securing the stage, 3 Washers, Fig. 52
4 Centration aid, 5 Knurl for Bertrand lens 1 Frame insert for coverslips, 2 Leaf spring

2 1 4

3 2

1
5
2

42
The E-Version Leica DM IRE2
Features of the Leica DM IRE2 Firmware update free of charge from the
Leica Website1)
The Leica DM IRE2 offers the following addi-
tional functions: 1)The EPROM version number of the single modules is
displayed by simultaneously pressing the LEARN and
Motorised, sextuple objective nosepiece CHANGE keys (Fig. 57), and by pressing the CHANGE
Electronic focusing key afterwards you can obtain the version numbers of the
individual modules in succession.
Coding of the IC objective prisms*
See also Downloading a Firmware update p. 68.
Motorised fluorescence filter cube change
with electrically operated dark flap*
LC display of microscope functions.
For users who want to program the Leica
Motorised magnification changer
DM IRE2 microscope themselves, a free
Motorised tube lens changer
software development kit called Leica SDK is
External Electronics box
available on request.
Separate x/y/z control* for remote control

Fig. 53 Total view of Leica DM IRE2

43
The LEICA CTR MIC Electronics Box The x/y/z control*
The Electronics Box Leica CTR MIC (Fig. 54) The x/y/z control (55a) is used for focusing the
contains the external power unit for the lamp as image (55a.3) by using a turning knob, controling
well as the electronics cards for driving the the lamp brightness (55b.5) and the
motorized functions on the microscope. magnification change (55b.7) by keys.
The On/Off switch (54.1)is on the front. A green For a comfortable operation the height position
LED ( 54.2) indicates the operation status. of the knobs (fig 55a) can be set to an individual
Cable connections p. 45 level by turning the wheel (55a.4).

Attention!

The Electronics box must be installed at least

10 cm away from walls and other inflammable
objects.

Attention! Fig. 55a x/y/z control

1, 2 Movement in x/y direction (for special applications),
3 Setting the focus, 4 Individual knob height position
On no account should you connect the
Electronics box to the mains before the
whole system has been assembled!
Check that all switches are at OFF.
1 3

4
Fig. 54
LEICA CTR MIC 2
Electronics box
1 Mains switch
2 Pilot indicator

Fig. 55b x/y/z control keys

5 Lamp brightness up/down, 7 Magnification change

2
1
5 6

44
Cabling To connect a PC, use the serial cable supplied.
Connect the serial interface of the PC to the
Before the other components are assembled,
RS 232C interface of the electronics box
the components installed and assembled so far
(56.1).
have to be connected up to the electronics box.
Connect the electronics box to the power
Connect the microscope (56a.1) to the
supply with the mains cable (56.4).
Microscope socket (56.3) with the cable with
a 50-pin plug.

The x/y/z control is connected to x/y/z Control

(56.2).

Connect the lamphousing to the 12V 100W Fig. 12 Terminal panel of electronics box
lamp input (56.5). 1 PC (RS 232)
2 x/y/z control
3 Microscope
4 Power supply
5 Lamp (halogen 100W)

Fig. 56a Backside Leica DM IRE2

1 Electronics box port
1

4 5

45
Start-up using the LCD control panel If necessary, delete them by sustaining the rele-
vant keys ( , fig. 57) for longer than
The assembly of the individual components,
1 sec. Using the lower focus key, behind the
such as transmitted light illumination column,
handwheel on the right, move the nosepiece to
condenser, etc. has been completed.
the lower stop.

Important note:
Before using a brand new Leica DM IRE2
microscope for the first time, an initial
installation has to be carried out.
Instead of initiation with the LCD controls, it is
also possible to perform the fine configuration
with the Microscope Wizard (MicWizard).
See Software operation p. 63.

Straight after the Leica DM IRE2 microscope is

switched on, the system will be initialised. This
takes a few seconds. A message to this effect
will appear in the LC display on the front of the
microscope.

Important:
The objectives should not be screwed in at this
point. The best time to do this is when executing
the learn mode. Fig. 57 LCD control panel
Generally you are free to choose the order in
which the separate steps of the learn mode are
carried out. However, for the first installation we
recommend you keep to the following order: - 1 . 8 6mm S 1
Check that the focus position 10 0 x PH3 HH I
and the lower threshold
are deleted, i. e. neither of the two symbols may LEARN CHANGE STEP
appear in the display.

lower z position
focus position
focus stepwidth
(S0, S1, S2, S3, SC)

46
Learn mode Installing the objective prisms
After switching on, the microscope is in the nor- If your system is not equipped for interference
mal operation mode. contrast, skip this section and the next and
continue reading at Installing the objectives.
The IC objective prisms are normally put in the
turret at the factory. If you are retrofitting TL
0 m S 1 interference contrast, refer to the instructions
on page 27 of this manual.
1 0 0 x PH3 I
Normal operation mode Learning the IC objective prisms (IC turret)
Using the CHANGE key, select the ICT option
The learn mode is switched on with the in the Learn mode. Keep pressing the
LEARN key. CHANGE key until the second learn menu
appears and the ICT position in the display
flashes.
Confirm by pressing the LEARN key.
Lear n : EX I T Turn the IC turret (situated under the objective
P A RF OB J L / R > nosepiece) until it clicks into the brightfield
position (H).

I C P r i sm 1:
Lear n : EX I T
H EX I T
I CT F L UO >
Learn mode: IC turret
Input menu of learn mode

The EXIT option in the display flashes.

If you press the LEARN key again, you
automatically switch back to the normal
operation mode.

47
Operate the focus handwheel until the letter H Select objective 1 by pressing the objective
appears on the display panel as well. Turn the IC change keys (behind the focus handwheel on
turret by a quarter of a rotation into the next the left).
clickstop area. The message IC prism 2 Now screw the objective with the lowest
appears in the display. Read the marking on the magnification into the nosepiece opening which
turret and set the electronic display to the same is furthest to the right.
code by turning the handwheel. Do this for all
four positions. Empty positions should be coded
. Display: Objective magnification
By turning the focus handwheel, select the
Conclude the Learn mode for the IC turret by number in the electronic display that corre-
pressing the CHANGE key. EXIT flashes in sponds to the magnification of the objective.
the display; confirm with the LEARN key.
By pressing the CHANGE key now, select the
display field for phase contrast.
Installing the objectives
Select the Objectives option in the Learn
Display: Phase contrast
mode (OBJ) by pressing the CHANGE key; the
OBJ option now flashes.
The objective nosepiece rotates through 180 so
that the current objective is in the most
accessible position (furthest to the right on the
Ob j e c t i v e 1 :
outside). 5 x PH0 E XI T
This function also serves for cleaning, assem-
bling, immersing, etc. the objective.
Learn mode: Objective data Phase contrast
Confirm your choice with the LEARN key.

By turning the focus handwheel, select the

display that corresponds to the engraving on the
Ob j e c t i v e 1 : objective (PH1, PH2 . . .). The symbol -- is for
brightfield objectives.
5 x PH 0 E XI T
By pressing the CHANGE key now, select the
display field for the IC objective prism.
Learn mode: Objective data Magnification

48
Display: IC objective prism

Ob j e c t i v e 1 : Ob j e c t i v e 1 :
5 x PH0 A E X I T 5 x PH 0 D E XI T

Learn mode: Objective data IC coding (code letter) Learn mode: Objective data Operating mode

By turning the focus handwheel, select the Now all the objective parameters for the first
display that corresponds to the top line of objective have been learned, and the other
engraving on the objective (A, B, C, D, E, F). The objectives can be installed.
symbol H (Hellfeld, = brightfield), is for
objectives that are not suitable for IC. To learn further objectives:
Select objective no. 2 with the upper objective
By pressing the CHANGE key now, select the nosepiece key. Screw the objective with the
display box for the operating mode. next highest magnification into the nosepiece
opening which is now furthest to the right.
Operating modes: Dry/Immersion
To ensure simple yet safe objective change, the By turning the handwheel, select the magnifi-
objectives have to be classified in one of the cation display that matches the objective, as
following three categories: you did for the first objective. Proceed in the
same way for setting the Phaco display, the IC
1. Dry objectives (D) = all dry objectives with a prism display and the operating mode. Then
short working distance (< = 3 mm). repeat the setting procedures for the other
2. Immersion objectives (I). objectives.
3. Combined objectives (C) = dry objectives with Nosepiece positions that are not occupied by an
a long free working distance (> 3 mm), ob- objective are given the code --. This has the
jectives which can be used for scanning effect that these positions are not travelled to in
purposes as well through an oil layer. standard mode.

Now select the valid objective category for the Conclude the Learn mode for the objective
objective you are using (D, I, C) by turning the parameters by pressing the CHANGE key.
focus handwheel. EXIT flashes in the display; confirm with the
LEARN key.

49
Before selecting the Parfocality option in the Now select the dry objective with the next lower
Learn mode, you should take the following magnification.
steps: Focus the specimen again with the focus hand-
If you want to use a specimen holder on your wheel and confirm with LEARN.
stage, fit it now. Repeat this procedure until you have reached
Put a specimen on the stage. the smallest dry objective.
Switch to the highest magnification and focus For low-power dry objectives (5x, 10x) it is ad-
the image of the specimen. visable not to correct the focus any further, as
Set the focus position with the these objectives are focused immediately after
( fig. 57). switching on.
You can now begin with learning the parfocality.

Oil immersion objectives

Parfocality
Once the parfocality has been learnt for all the
Select the Parfocality option (PARF) in the dry objectives it can be done for the immersion
Learn mode by pressing the CHANGE key; the objectives.
PARF option now flashes. Please remember that if the specimen is very
Confirm your choice with the LEARN key. small and lightweight it must be fixed onto the
stage to prevent it being moved by the adhesive
force of the oil.
Select the oil immersion objective with the
1: 5 x S1 EX I T objective changing key.
Apply a drop of immersion oil to this objective.
AD J US T & L E ARN To do this, you can move the objective to the
most easily accessed outer position with one of
Learn mode: Parfocality the objective changing keys.
Return the objective to the working position and
First learn the parfocality for all dry objectives. focus.
Confirm the learnt focus position by pressing the
Dry objectives LEARN key. ADJUSTED appears in the dis-
Select the dry objective with the highest magni- play.
fication by pressing the objective nosepiece Proceed similarly for any other immersion ob-
keys (behind the focus handwheel on the left). jectives.
Focus the specimen with the focus handwheel.
Use the STEP key to select the suitable focus Conclude the parfocality setting by selecting the
stepwidth ( p. 57) , also using the focus keys if EXIT option with the CHANGE key and
neces-sary (behind the handwheel on the right). confirming with LEARN.
Confirm the adjusted focus position by pressing
the LEARN key. ADJUSTED appears in the
display.

50
Exiting the Learn mode Z-drive Objective Nosepiece move-
keys keys ment when the Chosen function
To leave the Learn mode, select EXIT and
right handwheel is
confirm with LEARN. turned clockwise

right left up Ob j e c t . < > F o c u s

Individual user settings
right left down Ob j e c t . < > F oc u s
Select the option L/R in the Learn mode by
pressing the CHANGE key and confirm your left right up F ocus < >O b j e c t .

choice by pressing the LEARN key.

left right down F ocus < >O b j e c t .

Possible combinations for user settings

Swi t ch e s : E X I T By turning the focus wheel, choose the one of

the four possible combinations that suits you
Ob j ec t . < > F o c u s best.

Learn mode: User settings The standard setting made at the factory is as
follows (= combination 1 in the above table):
This option allows you to choose whether you
want to operate the objective nosepiece on the The nosepiece is operated on the left side of
left or the right side of the microscope. The the microscope; accordingly the keys for
function of the focus keys then also shifts to the lowering and refocusing are on the right.
oppositeside of the microscope.
Rotation direction of the handwheel and fo-
It is also possible to reverse the rotation direc- cusing movement:
tion of the handwheel and its effect on the If the handwheel on the right of the micro-
focusing direction. scope is rotated clockwise, the objective
nosepiece is moved upwards, i. e. the objec-
tive moves towards the sample.

Conclude the Learn mode for user adjustment by

pressing the CHANGE key. EXIT flashes in
the display; confirm with LEARN.

51
Installing the fluorescence filter cube Learning other filters:
Select the next filter cube position by pressing
Select the FLUO option in the Learn mode by
one of the FLUO keys on the control panel of
pressing the CHANGE key. Confirm by press-
the FLUO module( p. 60). Insert the filter cube
ing the LEARN key.
and select the corresponding name in the
display.
Repeat the procedure for any other filters.
Unoccupied positions are given the code -.
F i l t e r b l o ck 1 :
To conclude the Learn mode for the fluores-
I3 EX I T cence module, press the CHANGE key. EXIT
then flashes in the display; confirm with
Learn mode: Fluorescence
LEARN.
Now leave the learn mode by pressing EXIT
Pull out the filter cube drawer on the left side of and confirming with LEARN.
the microscope stand and put the filter cube you
want to use in the holder of the fluorescence Concluding the installation
turret plate in the light path. The filter cube must Installation is now complete. You are back in the
click noticeably in position. normal operation mode.
Now select the corresponding filter cube name
in the LC display by rotating the focus hand-
wheel.

52
Operation motorized objective nosepiece
for Leica DM IRE2
DThe electronic nosepiece control allows easy The upper key is pressed to increase the
and safe change of the objective magnification. magnification, the lower key to decrease the
Objectives are changed with 2 push buttons magnification. Short pressure on the key
(objective changing keys) which are easily switches to the next lower or higher
accessed behind the focusing handwheel on the magnification. If you sustain the key for longer
left of the microscope. then 0.3 sec., the display jumps to the next
higher or lower magnification every 0.5 sec. The
nosepiece is not actually turned until you
choose a specific magnification by releasing the
key. All you have to do to switch from any higher
magnification down to survey magnification, for
example, is to sustain the lower objective key for
approx. 3 sec. The selected objective is turned
into the light path in the direction that involves
the shortest travel distance.

n. b.:
When installing the system (see Individual user
settings, (p. 51) it is possible to operate the
objective change function on the right side of
the microscope instead of the left.

Fig. 58 Left side of Leica DM IRE2

53
Operation modes for Leica DM IRE2

DRY and IMMERSION Contamination of the dry objectives is prevented

by the fact that the objective nosepiece is
The Leica DM IRE2 microscope is equipped with
always lowered before objectives are changed.
a switch function between the operating modes
Dry and Immmersion (IMM) to ensure
When switching from one operating mode to the
straightforward, error-free operation.
other, please proceed as follows:
This prevents
Starting in the DRY mode:
dry objectives from being immersed in oil by
(Display at the bottom right in the LD display: D)
mistake
Press the keys lower z position and
immersion objectives from being used without
focus position on the control panel of the
immersion oil by mistake.
microscope simultaneously to switch from Dry
to Immersion.
Changing the operating mode
The operating modes are switched by simulta- The objective nosepiece is lowered and the
neously pressing the keys lower z position message Change Objective appears in the
and focus position on the control display. The corresponding oil immersion
panel of the microscope. This means that objective is switched into the light path with the
immersion cannot be travelled to in Dry mode objective changing key (normally the upper
and dry objectives with a short working distance objective changing key). From now on, only oil
cannot be travelled to in Immersion mode. immersion objectives or objectives of the
Combined category are travelled to.
To ensure smooth operation, immersion oil must (I now appears in the LC display at the bottom
be applied to all oil immersion objectives in the right).
nosepiece that are to be used before you start
work.

54
The procedure for switching to the Dry mode is Automatic lowering of the objective nosepiece
analogous:
In order to be able to operate the objective
Again, press the keys lower z position
changing keys easily and without touching the
and focus position on the control panel
stage in situations where space is difficult, e.g. if
of the microscope simultaneously to switch from
there are small object inserts in the stage and/or
Immersion to Dry.
if the specimen plane is relatively high above the
stage level, the objective nosepiece is lowered
The objective nosepiece is lowered and the
before it is rotated. The end position for this
message Change Objective appears in the
lowering (= lower z position _ ) can be chosen
display. You now have the opportunity to put a
by the user.
new specimen slide (without immersion oil) on
If the lower z position is not set, the objective
the stage. Then, using the objective changing
nosepiece is lowered by the maximum possible
key, switch the appropriate dry objective into
distance.
the light path (normally the lower objective
changing key). From now on, only dry objectives
or objectives of the Combined category are
travelled to.
(D now appears in the LC display at the bottom
right).

To learn objective categories, see Installing the

objectives ( p. 48).

55
Brightness adjustment for Leica DM IRE2
Leica DM IRB and Leica DM IRE2 microscopes Brightness adjustment with the x/y/z control
are fitted with an incremental transmitter
Pressing one of the keys (59.1) at the
instead of a potentiometer for adjusting the
x/y/z control increases or decreases the lamp
brightness. This means that the dial movement
intensity within a range of 0% upto 100%
is limited electronically and therefore has no
brightness.
endstops.

After it has been switched on, the microscope is

in normal operating mode. The current z position Fig. 59 x/y/z control keys
in m or mm is indicated on the left in the first 1 Lamp brightness up/down
line of the LC display. 2 Magnification change (only DM RXA2)
By pressing the "CHANGE" key on the control
panel, you can switch to the lamp voltage
display. The lamp voltage is indicated in volts
from 2.5 V - 12 V. If you press the "CHANGE" key 1 2
again, you will switch back to the z position
display.

The lamp brightness is changed by turning a dial

on the left side of the microscope stand. If you
have not switched to the lamp voltage display
already, this will happen automatically as soon
as the dial is operated. In the same way, the
microscope switches to the z position display
when you alter the z position with the dial or by
keystroke.

To turn off the transmitted light illumination, first

turn the lamp intensity down to 2.5 V. Then
continue turning beyond the lowest value.
To switch on again, rotate briefly in the opposite
direction.

The 10.5 V setting is recommended for photo-

micrography.

56
Electronic focus for Leica DM IRE2
The electronic focus offers the user the follow- The controls of the electronic focus are:
ing advantages:
The focusing handwheels, conventionally
Extremely sensitive focusing, especially for positioned on both sides of the microscope.
high magnifications.
Two keys (focus keys) for fast lowering of the
Fine focusing selectable in 4 steps; coarse objective nosepiece and returning to the focal
focusing can be switched on blind at any plane. The keys are in a convenient position in
time. front of the right handwheel.
The stepwidths desired by the user (corre- If both focus keys are pressed simultaneously,
sponding to gear ratio and sensitivity) are coarse focusing is switched (SC). The coarse
allocated to every single objective and focus is switched off again the moment that
automatically reset as soon as the particular the two keys are pressed simultaneously
objective is used. again, or a different focusing speed is switched
with the STEP key.
Fast lowering of the objective nosepiece and
exact repositioning to the previously set focal - Step key on the LCD control panel for
plane. switching the focusing speed (Fig. 57). The
stepwidths are assigned to the following
Electronic parfocality of all objectives through objective magnifications:
intelligent linking of motorized objective nose- S0: 63-150x, S1: 40-50x, S2: 20-25x, S3: 10-16x,
piece and electronic focus drive. SC: 1.6-5x

57
 Key zfor defining the lower Z position. Coded IC objective prisms (option)
Pressing the key for longer than 1 sec. deletes
The objective IC prisms are arranged on a turret
the threshold; another press of the key for
underneath the objective nosepiece. To facili-
longer than 1 sec. sets the current Z position
tate allocation and thus the setting of the
as lower threshold.
objective prisms to the objectives, the LC display
on the front of the microscope indicates both
Key for defining the focus position)
the IC prism required for the objective in the
Pressing the key for longer than 1 sec. deletes
light path and the currently effective IC prism on
this value, another press of the key for longer
the turret.
than 1 sec. sets the current Z position as
The latter flashes if the combination is wrong.
focus position.

! n.b.
If using the microscope without the stage plate,
please note that when you replace the front
fixing screw if the stage plate, it must not be
screwed in fully. If it is screwed in too far it will
block the focus motor. The message BLK then
appears in the LC display on the front of the
microscope.

Focusing with the x/y/z control

The electronic focus can be controlled with
x/y/z control, too. Therefore the turning knob
( p. 44, 55a.3) is used.

58
Mot. fluorescence filter cube change*
for Leica DM IRB
A control panel is connected to the Leica
DM IRB for motorised filter cube change.

Three keys are used for operation:

The two FLUOR keys are used to switch to the

adjacent filter cube. If you switch one of these
keys twice, you switch by two filter cube po-
sitions.

The SHUTTER CLOSED key is used for opening

and closing the electric shutter. The LED
indicates whether the shutter is closed or not
(LED lights up when closed).

Fig. 60 Control panel for Leica DM IRB

59
Mot. fluorescence filter cube change
for Leica DM IRE2
The operation is controlled via the front display
of the microscope.

There you will see two keys for switching to the

next filter cube to the right or left. LEDs 1-4
indicate the filter cube that is currently in the
light path.

The push button Shutter is used to open and

close the electric shutter. The corresponding
LED labelled closed lights up when the shutter
is closed.

Fig. 61 Fluorescence control panel for Leica DM IRE2

60
Front control panel for Leica DM IRE2
On the front of the microscope (Fig. 62) there is LC display
an LC display with five control keys as well as
The display gives information on the following
three areas with LEDs and push buttons for
functions:
controlling the fluorescence filter cube wheel
including the electric shutter, the various
focus keys on right side
viewing ports and the change of the tube optics
of microscope
(magnification changer including Bertrand lens). focus position set
lower z position set

z position step width

- 1 . 8 6mm S1
1 0 0 x PH 3 HH D
objective data current fluo block
IC prisma or
modes Dry/Imm
brightfield
Fig. 62 Front control panel Leica DM IRE2
1 Push-buttons and diode display of the RF4 module,
2 Control panel Ports Z position in m or mm.
3 Front control panel with LC display Set stepwidth for the fine focusing (S0, S1,
4 Key for shutter control S2, S3 and coarse focusing = SC, can be
5 Push-buttons for magnification changer
switched on and off by simultaneously
pressing both focus keys).
Lower Z position set (symbol visible =
threshold set).
Focus position set (symbol visible = threshold
set).
3
Objective data (corresponding to the objec-
tive engraving).
magnification
1 Phaco (PH1, PH2, . . . )
4 required objective IC prism (option).
Currently switched IC prism or brightfield
2 5 position.
Fluo cube (option).
Operating mode (dry or immersion).

61
At the factory the microscope is set so that the Change of tube optics
fast focusing is controlled with the two keys on
The area marked MAG has two push buttons
the right side of the microscope, indicated by
and three LEDs for switching magnification 1x
the symbol on the right in the upper line of the
and 1.5x and swinging in the Bertrand lens. The
display.
module in the light path is indicated by LED (LED
Similarly, if this symbol appears on the left side
lights up). It is still possible to fine-adjust the
of the display, it means that the focusing is
Bertrand lens on the right side of the
controlled with the two keys on the left of the
microscope ( Fig. 69, p. 75).
microscope.

Details of how to operate the LC display with the

five control keys are given in the Learn Mode
section p. 47.

n. b.:
When the microscope is installed the influence
of the rotation direction of the handwheel on the
focusing direction of the objective nosepiece
can be reversed ( p. 51).

Fluorescence filter cube change

The operation of the area labelled FLUO is
described in the section Mot. Fluorescence
filter cube change for Leica DM IRE2 ( p. 60).

Viewing ports
The PORTS area has two push buttons and
three LEDs. You can use the buttons to choose
between the three ports Vis (tube), Side
(side port) and Bottom (bottom port). The
currently active port is indicated by LED (LED
lights up). If the microscope has prisms for
activating more than one port at a time, all the
active viewing ports are indicated by LED (all re-
levant LEDs light up).
(See also p. 75ff).

62
Software operation for Leica DM IRE2
The Leica DM IRE2 is normally delivered fully Firmware Update
configured so that you can start using it right Readme
away. However, if the configuration is changed Mic Config
(by adding objectives, for example) or if you Mic Control
want to install a firmware update, you will need Mic Wizard
the Leica DM SDK Leica Software Develpment Kit.
The current firmware is already installed on your If a later version of the Leica DM SDK
electronics box. If you install a firmware update, software has been installed you can reinstall the
please read the updated information supplied entire firmware or just parts of it using the
with it. Firmware Update program.

First of all, connect your PC or laptop to the In Readme you will find up-to-date information
Electronics Box using the serial cable supplied and notes on the software which were written
(RS232 socket). after this manual was printed.

The MicConfig program is used for

Installing the software configuring the individual microscope
components.
If an earlier version of Leica DM SDK is already
installed, please deinstall this first with
The microscope components can be driven and
Settings/Control Panel/Software.
tested with the MicControl program.
Now put the CD in your CD drive and start the
MicWizard is the microscope assistant that
SETUP program. Follow the instructions given.
takes you through the configuration of the
You can obtain further information by clicking
individual microscope componetns step by step.
the help keys of the individual windows.

After the Setup you will find the programs for

installing and operating the Leica DM IRE2
under the folder you have set up (e.g. Leica DM
SDK 4.11 ....).

63
The microscope configuration program The list box Stand contains the name
OTHER, all the other boxes contain the word
Starting the program
None. Also, the keys marked Test are
Start the configuration program by clicking inactive, and the check boxes under Connect!
MicConf in the Leica DM SDK menu or by double appear dark.
clicking the corresponding program icon.
Choice of language
The LEICA Microscope Configuration Tool
You can switch between the languages as
window appears.
dialog language (in the language selection list at
the bottom left).
The language selection only takes effect when
you leave the configuration program with
Save! and then restart the MIC Conf program.

You can call up further details on this and the

following settings any time you like by clicking
the Help key.

Setting the configuration

Choose the IRE2 stand from the Stand list box.
Then select the interface of your computer that
you want to use for the communication with the
Leica CTR MIC, e.g. COM1.

For the Leica DM IRE2 you now have to choose

the following components:

Lamp 1: Halogen-100W
At the moment, you have the choice of two
Lamp 2: None
languages for the dialog texts: English and
Focus : Motorized
German. The default value in the dialog box at
Nosepiece 1 : 6_Holes
the bottom left is English and the texts are
Nosepiece 2: None
written in English.
Stage: None
Tube: HCI-Series
The first time the program is started, all
Tube optics: Tubl.mot.
microscope components are run in a simulation
Fluor. Mod.: 4-Pos.
mode in which the corresponding hardware is
Transm.Dia.Mod.: None
merely simulated. The software can be tested
Photo module: None
without connecting microscope components in
IC turret: 4-Pos
this demo mode.
Autofocus: None

64
After completing this selection, activate the (3) Assistant in order to perform a fine configu-
white squares under Connect!. ration. If you are installing the program for the
first time, you have to do the fine configuration.
The LEICA Microscope Configurator dialog
window now looks like this: Storing the configuration
Click the Save! key. The data will be stored
and the MIC Conf program terminated.

Starting the Microscope Assistant

Click the Setup key and select Yes in the
following dialog:

The MIC Conf program is now terminated and

the MIC Wizard program is started.
If you select No, the new configuration is just
stored and MIC Conf is terminated.

After activating the interface in this way, you

can press the Test key to check whether
communication between the computer and the
microscope has been established.
If the installation has been successful, the
message: The component xxx works
properly. will appear.
Otherwise, Communication Error is displayed.
In this case, check whether the Leica CRT MIC
is switched on and whether all cable
connections are correct.

Terminating the program

The Microscope Configurator offers the
possibility of just storing the new configuration
or of switching directly to the Microscope

65
The Microscope Assistant By hitting the key Reset Microscope the
parameters predefined by the factory can be
Starting the program
restored. Hit Continue if you want to start a
If you have not started the Microscope new microscope configuration.
Assistant from the Microscope Configurator, you You start with the definition of the individual user
can start it by clicking MIC Wizard in the Leica settings:
DM SDK menu or by double clicking the
corresponding program icon instead.
It is therefore possible to perform a fine
configuration of the available components at
any time.

Follow the instructions given there. You can find

additional information by clicking the Help key.
After pressing Continue the next dialog will be
Start the routine by clicking the Start key. displayed.

The following dialog appears: When the Mic Wizard program has been
completed, the Leica DM IRE2 is ready for use
and can be operated withthe x/y/z control.
However, it is advisable to operate the Leica DM
IRE2 from the computer first to check and, if
necessary change, the settings.

66
To do this, start the MicControl program.

IRE2

The first window shows you a few colored icons

that you can activate for changing the
objectives, setting thresholds and focus
positions or defining parfocality. These
functions and the operation of the software are
explained in texts that can be called up by
clicking the Help keys.

You can also use the MIC Control program to

control the Leica DM IRE2 functions during
measurement.

67
Downloading a firmware update If the new Leica DM SDK contains software
with higher version numbers, you will be
If you install a new version of the Leica DM
asked to start the firmware update:
SDK Software Development Kit you can update
the firmware of the electronics box. Updates of
Leica DM SDK can be downloaded free of
charge from the Leica website.
To update the firmware, proceed as follows:

First install the new version of Leica DM

SDK.

Start the update by clicking Firmware Up-

date, which you will find in the program
group Leica SDK ... in the Start menu.
There will now be an automatic check of
You can choose between updating all the
whether the firmware version numbers in the
modules or just parts. The standard choice is
Leica DM SDK coincide with those of the
all microscope modules. When the update
electronics box.
has been successfully completed, you will
receive a message to this effect.
If the numbers are the same, the current
configuration will be displayed:
Switch the electronics box off and on again.

Reconfigure the microscope.

(See The Microscope Configuration Pro-
gram, p. 64 and The Microscope Wizard,
p. 66).

n.b.:
The current version numbers can also be called
up with the keys of the LCD panel. The Eprom
Components tested and released by Leica are version number is obtained by simultaneously
marked with a green tick. pressing the LEARN and CHANGE keys and
You can also use this function to call up the if you then keep pressing the CHANGE key you
current version numbers of the individual can obtain the version numbers of the individual
modules. modules in succession.

68
Operation of imaging
and contrasting techniques

Attention:

When using acids or other aggressive

chemicals, special care should be taken.
Avoid direct contact of these substances
with optical and mechanical components.

Fig. 63 a,b Leica DM IRB

1 Binocular phototube, 2 Eyepiece adapter tube, 3 Eyepieces, 4 Tube mount (tube change interface), 5 Tube port for photo/TV
connection, 6 Beamsplitter switch eyepiece/photo/TV exit, 7 Mains switch, 8 Brightness adjustment, 9 Lateral TV port,
10 Coaxial coarse and fine drive, 11 Fluorescence module, 12 ICT prism adjustment, 13 Sextuple objective nosepiece, 14 Cent-
ring buttons for incident light field diaphragm, 15 Field diaphragm adjustment, 16 Filters (up to 3 filters e.g. DLF, ALF),
17 Aperture diaphragm adjustment, 18 Lamphousing mount (or mirrorhousing for two lamphousings), 19 Lamphousing, 20 Stage
plate, 21 Analyser, 22 Tube lens module (Bertrand lens and magnification changer), 23 Switch rod for lateral TV port,
24 Transmitted light illumination column, 25 Condenser, 26 Transmitted light lamphousing, 27 Transmitted light field diaphragm,
28 SLR port, 29 Second lamphousing

Fig. 63a View from the right Leica DM IRB Fig. 63b View from the left Leica DM IRB

16 26
3
5 27

2 24
1 17
25 18
20 13
4 6
29
19 12
14
11
15 21
22
28 9
23 10 8
7

69
Fig. 64 a,b Leica DM IRE2
1 Electronics box Leica CRT MIC, 2 RF4 module, 3 Coded IC objective prism disk, 4 Objective change keys (with
individual user settings p. 51 the objective change keys can be switched to the focus keys on the right side of the
microscope), 5 Focus handwheel, 6 Separate control for focusing, 7 Focus keys (with individual user settings p. 51
the focus keys can be switched to the objective change keys on the left side of the microscope), 8 Motorized Tube lens
changer inclusive Bertrandlens, 9 Window for lamp adjustment

Fig. 64 a View from the left Leica DM IRE2 Fig. 64 b View from the right Leica DM IRE2

1 2 3 4 5 6 5 7 8

Fig. 64 c Front control panel Leica DM IRE2

10 Push-buttons and diode display of the RF4 module,
11 Control panel Ports, 12 Front control panel with LC
display, 13 Key for shutter control, 14 Push-buttons for
magnification changer
12

10
13

11 14

70
Basic setting for transmitted light
Switching on the halogen lamp Focus the specimen with the coarse and fine
drive, which changes the height of the objec-
Switch on the 12 V 100 W lamp of the Leica DM
tive nosepiece. The stage height remains un-
IRB at the mains switch (63b.7).
changed. The total vertical travel of the
The Leica DM IRE2 is switched on using the
nosepiece is 7 mm. In air, the focusing range
mains switch at the electronics box.
extends from 2 mm below the stage surface to
5 mm above it.
Adjust the brightness with the dial. The numbers
are not absolute parameters, but merely serve
One drum interval of the fine focusing cor-
for reproducible setting. The white dot on the
responds to about 2 mm of the objective nose-
dial indicates the setting for approx. 3200 K for
piece.
photography on artificial light film and for TV
microscopy.

Adjustment specimen
! Caution!
Please be careful with high objective magni-
For initial microscope adjustment we recom- fications when focusing or making x-y adjust-
mend you use a specimen that has both high ments!
and low contrast areas.
When using objectives with a high magnification
It is easier to focus incident light fluorescence and a short working distance (from 50x), the
specimens in transmitted light first. specimen and the stage insert may be lifted and
tilted.
Focusing the specimen When scanning the specimen, the front lens of
(For the DM IRE2 version, please read the section about the
the objective may knock against the edge of the
operation of the E focus and objective nosepiece first. Here, stage insert.
an example of manual operation is given for each case.) Lower the coarse and fine drive if possible when
turning the nosepiece and changing the ob-
Focus the specimen you want to examine. To do jectives, in order to avoid contact between the
this, the objective nosepiece should be lowered front lens and the stage insert.
first. The objective is turned into the light path by
rotating the metal knurl on the nosepiece. The
objective should click audibly into position.
! Caution
Caution with special objectives! Here there may
be contact between the stage insert and the
front lens the moment the objective is moved
over the edge of the inner hole of the stage
insert!

71
Checking of various microscope components Operation of L objectives with correction mount
Engage or disengage the filters (63a.16) accord- Roughly set the correction mount to the thick-
ing to the required brightness. ness of the base of the vessel on the stage by
If necessary, disengage the Bertrand lens by turning the knurled ring. Focus the specimen
turning the knurled knob (63a.22), pos. 1. with the coarse and fine drive. Then operate the
Disengage the analyser (63b.21), if necessary, by correction mount until you achieve the greatest
pulling it out partway. image contrast, using the fine focus if neces-
Disengage the filter systems, if necessary, by sary.
rotating the turret (63b.11).
Push in the switch rod(s) for the beamsplitter Setting the tubes and eyepieces
(63a.23).
Eyeglass wearers must remove (for 10x/25) or
Clamp the transmitted light illumination arm with
push back (for 10x/20 and 10x/22) the anti-glare
the knurled wheel (5.1, p. 20).
protection of the eyepieces, but it should always
be left on for viewers not wearing eyeglasses.

Set the interpupillary distance on the tube by

pulling apart or pushing together the eyepiece
tubes until only one image can be seen with
both eyes.
Note your personal interpupillary distance.
If using ergotubes, set the viewing angle
(15 50) as well by tilting the binocular
viewing port. To avoid symptoms of fatigue,
Fig. 65 Examples of objectives
vary the viewing angle from time to time.
1, 2 Objectives with correction mounts (Corr) for adjusting Close any tube exits you are not using to
to different vessel base thicknesses (e. g. 0.1 1.3 mm and prevent stray light disturbing the image.
0 2 mm), 3 Objective with built-in iris diaphragm (1.30 =
maximum aperture, 0.60 = minimum aperture), 4 Magnifica-
tion colour code, 5 Knurled ring for adjusting the correction
mount, 6 Knurled ring for adjusting the built-in diaphragm

4 5 5 6

1 2 3

72
For eyepieces with inserted graticule only*:
Greatly defocus the specimen or remove
from the light path.
Eyeglasses with multirange lenses (bifocal and
Exactly focus the graticule by adjusting the
progressive) must be removed for microscopy.
eyelens with a relaxed eye (the eye relaxes
Focus the specimen through the eyepieces.
best if you look out the window at a distant
object for a moment).
Only when one eyepiece is without an
Focus the specimen, only adjusting the
adjustable eyelens:
eyepiece with graticule.
Exactly focus the specimen through this eye-
Then close this eye and focus the specimen
piece first (close your other eye).
by adjusting the second eyepiece only.
Then focus the image by adjusting the eye-
lens of the second eyepiece.
Only if neither eyepiece has a graticule inserted:
Greatly defocus the specimen or remove it
from the light path.
Adjust the eyelens until the edge of the field
of view appears sharp. When you adjust the
eyelens a white line becomes visible round
the basic part of the eyepiece. This indicates
the correct position of the eyelens for
viewers with normal or corrected eyesight.

Fig. 66 HCI B22 binocular tube, 45 viewing angle, field of

view no. up to 22, eyepiece diameter 30 mm for HC PLAN 10x/
20 or 22 eyepieces, interpupillary distance setting: 55 75 mm
1 Eyepiece tube, 2 Eyepiece, 3 Anti-glare protection

73
To correct defective eyesight: Trinocular tube HCI 3T22
Look through the right-hand eyepiece tube Set the beamsplitter at visual observation by
with your right eye and sharply focus the pushing in the switch rod. The switching
specimen with the fine drive. positions are indicated by symbols on the
Then look at the same area of the specimen side of the tube.
with your left eye and rotate the left eyepiece 100 % vis switch rod
tube until you obtain a sharp image. Do not 150 % 50 % switch rod
use the fine drive for this. 100 % photo switch rod
If using eyepieces with adjustable eyelenses, The eyepieces are set in exactly the same
do not compensate for defective eyesight by way as on the binocular tube.
adjusting the eyepiece tube, but by adjusting Compensate defective eyesight by adjusting
the eyelens of the eyepiece. the eyelens of the eyepiece.

Fig. 68 HCI 3T22, trinocular tube with 45 viewing angle

Light path: 100 % vis switch rod
150 % 50 % switch rod
Fig. 67 100 % photo switch rod
HCI BV22, ergo binocular tube with 15 50 viewing angle, Field of view no. up to 22, eyepiece diameter 30 mm for
field of view no. up to 22, eyepiece diameter 30 mm for HC PLAN 10x/20 or 22 eyepieces, interpupillary distance set-
HC PLAN 10x/20 or 22 eyepieces, interpupillary distance set- ting: 55 75 mm
ting: 55 75 mm 1 Clamp screw, 2 Tube port, 3 Siedentopf binocular part,
1 Clamp screw, 2 Tube port, 3 Siedentopf binocular part 4 Photo/TV port, 5 Switch rod

2 2

3 4
3

1 5
1

74
Operation of the side photo/TV port Operation of the front photo/TV port
The delivery comprises two alternative outfits (only for Leica DM IRB)
for the lateral photo/TV exit (Fig. 69a).
Stands either with or without SLR front port can
be supplied.
One outfit has a beam split of
1 100% visual 80 % side
The beam split is as follows:
2 120 % visual 80 % side
The side port is switched off, i. e. 100 % of the
The second version has a beam split of
light goes to the visual light path:
1 100 % visual 110 % side
2 110 % visual 100 % side
If the switch rod (69b.3) for the SLR exit is pulled,
50 % of the light goes to the SLR and 50 % to the
Operation at Leica DM IRB
tube.
If the switch rod (69a.2) for the side port is pulled
out, the beam split version no. 2 is active. If the
Operation of the bottom photo/TV port
switch rod is pushed in, beam split no. 1 applies.
The microscope can be supplied either with or
Operation for the Leica DM IRE2: without a bottom port.
The side port is addressed via the controls
described on page 61. The beamsplitting arrangement is as follows:

If the bottom port is switched off, 100% of the

light goes to the tube. If the bottom port is
switched on, 100% of the light goes to this port.

Fig. 69a Bertrand lens engaged (Leica DM IRB) Fig. 69b Bertrand lens engaged (Leica DM IRB)
1 Lever for focusing the Bertrand lens, 2 Switch lever for side 1 Lever for focusing the Bertrand lens, 2 Switch lever for side
port port, 3 Switch lever for front port

2 2 1
1

3 3

75
The following viewing port variations are
possible:

Tubus Port: TP
Front (SLR) Port: FP
Side Port 80%: SP80
Side Port 100%: SP100
Bottom Port: BP

The following stand variations are possible:

1. SP100 + TP (DMIRB + DM IRE2)

2. SP80 + TP (DMIRB + DM IRE2)
3. SP100 + FP (only DMIRB)
4. SP80 + FP (only DMIRB)
5. SP80 + BP + TP (DMIRB + DM IRE2)

76
Variant 1:
Active ports Beam splitting
SP100 TP SP100 TP
x - 100% 0%
- x 0% 100%

Variant 2:
Active ports Beam splitting

SP80 TP SP80 TP
x x 80% 20%
- x 0% 100%

Variant 3:
Active ports Beam splitting

SP100 FP TP SP100 FP TP
- x x 0% 50% 50%
x - - 100% 0% 0%
- - x 0% 0% 100%

Variant 4:
Active ports Beam splitting

SP80 FP TP SP80 FP TP
- x x 0% 50% 50%
x x x 80% 10% 10%
x - x 80% 0% 20%
- - x 0% 0% 100%

Variant 5:
Active ports Beam splitting

SP80 BP TP SP80 BP TP
- x - 0% 100% 0%
x x - 80% 20% 0%
x - x 80% 0% 20%
- - x 0% 0% 100%

77
Operation of objectives
Immersion objectives
OIL: Only use DIN/ISO standard immersion oil.
! Attention:
When using the immersion objective again,
remember to release the lock, as otherwise the
spring mechanism that protects the specimen
Attention: and objective will not work and the other
objectives will no longer be parfocal with the
Observe the safety information on the im- immersion objective.
mersion oil!
CORR objectives
W: Water immersion. The special water im- These are special objectives which can be
mersion objectives with ceramic front part can adjusted to the thickness of the coverslip.
be used for all hydrous solutions. Roughly set the correction mount to a medium
IMM: Universal objective for water, glycerine or estimated value by turning the knurl.
and oil. Focus the specimen.
Adjust the correction mount until you obtain
Colour coding of objectives obtimum contrast, fine-tune the focus with
Performance parameters. the fine drive if necessary. This setting may be
very difficult for featureless or low-contrast
Locking objectives areas of the specimen.
Some immersion objectives (with knurled grip)
can be locked in a shorter position. This pre-
vents any remaining drops of immersion liquid Objective lettering p.121ff
from wetting other objectives or specimens when
the nosepiece is turned.
Press up the front part by about 2 mm.
Lock the objective in this position by rotating
slightly.

78
Operation of transmitted light
Brightfield illumination Setting the aperture diaphragm
Illumination techniques where the empty areas The aperture diaphragm determines the lateral
of the specimen are the brightest parts are resolution, field depth and contrast of the
called brightfield. Absorbing specimen struc- microscope image. The best contrast is
tures are required for brightfield imaging, i. e. obtained when the apertures of the objective
most specimens will need staining. Alternati- and the condenser are roughly the same.
ves are optical contrasting techniques such as When the aperture diaphragm is stopped down
phase or modulation contrast. to be smaller than the objective aperture,
resolving power is reduced, but the contrast is
enhanced. A noticeable reduction in the re-
Setting the condenser
solving power is observed when the aperture
On the TL illumination column there are height diaphragm is stopped down to less than 0.6x of
markings S70, S23 and S1 (13.3) for setting the objective aperture and should be avoided
the correct condenser height. Using the where possible.
supplied hexagonal screwdriver, slacken the
screw (14.1) and adjust the height of the Brightfield illumination with condenser
condenser or condenser holder until its upper 0.30 S70
edge coincides with the corresponding con-
Brightfield illumination is possible with objective
denser height marking on the illumination
magnifications of 2.5x to 40x.
column. Retighten the condenser or condenser
Turn a 10x objective into the light path and focus
holder fixing screw.
the specimen with the coarse and fine drive.
Narrow the aperture diaphragm until you obtain
the desired image contrast.
There is no field diaphragm for this condenser.

Brightfield illumination with condensers

0.53 S23 and 0.90 S1
Brightfield illumination is possible with condens-
er 0.53 S23 with objective magnifications from 5x
to 100x, and with condenser 0.90 S1 from 10x to
100x. A P 1.40 OIL S1 condenser top is available
for extremely high resolution.
The supplied field diaphragm is secured to the
transmitted light illumination column with the
hexagonal screwdriver (Fig. 71.6, p. 80).

79
Setting Koehler illumination Therefore it is only opened wide enough to
just illuminate the observed or photographed
(only for condenser S1, S23 possible)
object field. A change in magnification al-
Turn a 10x objective into the light path and focus ways necessitates adjustment of the field
the specimen. diaphragm.
Engage the condenser disc into the H = Narrow the aperture diaphragm until you
Hellfeld = brightfield position if necessary. obtain the desired image contrast.
Close the field diaphragm.
Adjust the height of the condenser until the
edge of the field diaphragm is sharply in focus
and also:
Centre the image of the field diaphragm in the The aperture diaphragm determines the lateral
middle of the field of view with the two cen- resolution, field depth and contrast of the
tring screws. microscope image. The best contrast is
Open the field diaphragm until it just dis- obtained when the apertures of the objective
appears from the field of view. and the condenser are roughly the same.
When objectives are changed, the condenser
centration may have to be slightly adjusted
with the knurled screws and the field dia-
phragm reset.
The field diaphragm protects the specimen
against unnecessary heat and keeps all light
not required for imaging away from the
Fig. 71
specimen, thereby enhancing contrast.
1 Binocular observation and phototube, 2 Tube clamp screw,
3 Objective nosepiece, sextuple, 4 Clamp screw for SLR/TV
Fig. 70 Koehler illumination adapter, front port, 5 Transmitted light lamphousing, 6 Trans-
a Field diaphragm closed, not focused, not centred, b Field mitted light illumination column, 7 Condenser holder, 8 Con-
diaphragm focused, but not centred, c Field diaphragm denser 0.53 S23 with disc, 9 Screw for opening lamphousing
focused and centred, but diameter too small, d Diameter of 105, 10 Lamphousing 105, 11 Adjustment wheel for tube lens
field diaphragm = diameter of field of view (Koehler 1x, 1.5x or Bertrand lens (B), 12 Beamsplitter switch rods,
illumination) 13 Coarse and fine focus

a b
6
7
1 8

2
9
3
c d 10
11
4 12

13

80
Visual comparison of the objective and con-
denser apertures is done as follows: remove
an eyepiece from the eyepiece tube, or engage Attention:
the Bertrand lens by turning the knurled wheel
(71.11), (pos. B) and focus with the lever (71.11). The aperture diaphragm in the illumination
Close or open the aperture diaphragm until the light path is not for adjusting image intensity.
image just shows up in the pupil (= brighter Only use the brightness adjustment knob or
circle) of the objective. This is regarded as the neutral density filters for this.
standard setting, i. e. condenser aperture =
objective aperture. An aperture diaphragm in the objective is nor-
mally opened fully. Narrowing it reduces the
Replace the eyepiece or disengage the Bertrand intensity and
lens. increases field depth
For low-contrast specimens, the aperture dia- reduces coverslip sensitivity
phragm can be narrowed further for clearer creates a darkfield impression
imaging of fainter structures. In polarisation mi- alters contrast
croscopy, narrowing the aperture diaphragm
usually results in stronger colours. Possible errors
Wrong coverslip thickness or wrong objective.
Specimen with coverslip at the top instead of
the bottom.

Aperture diaphragm opened too far or closed.

Condenser at wrong height.

Light ring switched in by mistake.

Dirty optics.

81
Operation of phase contrast
Phase contrast observation Set the light ring (73.2) in the condenser disc
that corresponds to the objective engraving
Like transmitted light darkfield and transmitted
(PH2).
light interference contrast, phase contrast is
Swing the Bertrand lens into the light path (=
used to produce high-contrast images of un-
Pos. B) by turning the knurled wheel (71.11,p. 80)
stained specimens.
and focus the phase ring (72.a) with the black
slide on the knurl.
Setting phase contrast with condenser 0.30 S70
Phase contrast observation is possible with ob- Insert the two supplied centring keys into the
jective magnifications from 5x to 40x. openings of the disc on the left and right of the
label plate (e.g. 3) (73.2) and turn them until the
Turn a phase contrast objective (engraving e. g. dark ring (phase ring in the objective) coincides
PH2) of the lowest magnification into the light with the slightly narrower ring (light ring in
path and focus the specimen. If it is difficult to condenser) (72c).
find the focal plane: temporarily narrow the
aperture diaphragm or use a stained specimen Then repeat the centration process for the other
and switch the disc to pos. H (= brightfield). objective/light ring combinations. Disengage the
Bertrand lens, pos. 1x.

Fig. 72 Centration for phase contrast, viewing with a Bertrand

lens
a Condenser in brightfield position (H), b Condenser in PH
position, light ring LR not centred, c Light ring and phase ring Fig. 73 Centration process for phase contrast/DF
centred 1 Centring keys in working position, 2 Disc

a b c

PH LR 1
1

82
Setting phase contrast with Possible errors
condensers 0.53 S23 and 0.90 S1
Specimen: too thick, too thin, staining too
Phase contrast observation is possible with intense; refractive index of mounting medium
condenser 0.53 S23 with objective magnifica- and specimen identical, so there is no phase
tions from 5x to 100x, with condenser 0.90 S1 jump.
from 10x to 100x.
Specimen slide too thick, so Koehler illumination
For both condensers, phase contrast is set as not possible.
described as for the 0.30 S70 condenser.
However, before the centration process itself,
correct Koehler illumination must be set.
Wedge-shaped coverglass position, so centra-
tion of light and phase ring is no longer effective.

Wrong light ring, or light ring has been put in the

disc upside down.

Aperture diaphragm not open.

Light ring not centred.

Wrong light ring.

83
Operation of transmitted light darkfield
Darkfield observation Rotate the condenser disc to the H position
(= brightfield). Focus the specimen (5x/10x
Darkfield observation is not possible with
objective). If the specimen plane is difficult to
condenser 0.30 S70, with condenser 0.53 S23 it
find, temporarily close the aperture diaphragm.
is possible from 5x objective magnification, the
Set Koehler illumination, open the aperture
max. usable objective aperture is 0.40. With
diaphragm as far as the stop (= pos. PH) and
condenser 0.90 S1, DF observation is possible
turn the disc to position D (= darkfield dia-
from objective magnification 10x, the max.
phragm).
usable objective aperture is 0.75.
If the specimen does not appear against a dark
Objectives with higher apertures can be used if
background, centre the DF diaphragm with the
it is possible to reduce the aperture with a built-
centring keys. To do this, insert them in the
in iris diaphragm. These objectives can be
openings in the disc on the left and right of the
recognised by the fact that the maximum and
label plate for the DF diaphragm (D) (73.2) and
minimum apertures are given in the objective
rotate until a homogeneous dark specimen
engraving and in our lists, e. g. 1.30 0.60.
background is produced.

84
Operation of transmitted light polarisation
DL polarisation Push the analyser into the 2nd clickstop position
in the microscope with the engraving ICT facing
Polarisation contrast for examining birefringent
upwards.
specimens is possible with condenser 0.30 S70
with objective magnifications from 2.5x to 40x,
Set the optimum extinction position by rotating
with condensers 0.53 S23 or 0.90 S1 from 5x or
the polariser and watching the empty field of
10x to 100x. A P 1.40 OIL S1 condenser top is
view. Put a specimen on the stage.
also available for extremely hgh resolution.
For Pol colour contrast, the ICT analyser can be
Crossing the polarisers
turned over, with the lambda engraving facing
First: Set Koehler illumination. Remove the upwards, to activate a whole-wave
speci-men from the light path; remove the Bert- compensator.
rand lens and fluorescence filter cube if
necessary; turn the condenser disc and turret
for objective-side IC prisms to pos. H.
Insert the polariser into the filter holder with the
engraving facing upwards. Turn the filter holder
to the right into the light path.

85
Operation
of transmitted light interference contrast
TL interference contrast Insert a polariser into the filter holder with the
engraving facing upwards.
TL interference contrast observation is possible
Turn the filter holder to the right into the light
with condenser 0.30 S70 with objective mag-
path.
nifications from 10x to 40x, with condensers
Push the analyser into the 2nd clickstop position
0.53 S23 or 0.90 S1 from 10x to 100x. For
in the microscope with the engraving ICT facing
objective 100x there is also a condenser top
upwards.
P 1.40 OIL S1 for extremely high resolution.
Set the optimum extinction position by rotating
Crossing the polarisers
the polariser and watching the empty field of
Remove the Bertrand lens and fluorescence view.
filter cube from the light path if necessary; turn
the condenser disc and turret for objective-side Put on a specimen.
IC prisms to pos. H. Focus the specimen (20x
objective). Set Koehler illumination exactly (not
needed for condenser 0.30 S70). Remove the
specimen from the light path.

86
Centration of the condenser prisms Objectives for ICT
If you have ordered a complete microscope, this Transmitted light interference contrast is
adjustment will already have been made at the possible with the brightfield and phase contrast
factory. However, it is advisable to check the objectives which have the code letter of the
centration from time to time, particularly after pupil position in the first line of engraving, e. g. A
transport: disengage the objective-side IC (see separate objective chart).
prisms (pos. H).
An IC condenser prism, e. g. K6, must also be
Remove an eyepiece from the eyepiece tube. available for the objective. An up-to-date table
Engage the condenser-side IC prisms one after of possible prism combinations (objective chart)
the other (the whole-wave compensator must is enclosed separately with each configuration.
not be active, i. e. the lambda engraving is on the
bottom side of the analyser). When the cen-
tration is correct, the dark stripe must be in
the centre of the pupil (= brighter circle) of the
objective (Fig. 74).

If not, proceed as follows:

Put one of the supplied centring keys in the disc
opening on the left of the label plate for the IC
prism (e. g. 73.2, p. 82) (Fig. 74) and turn it to
centre the stripe.

Fig. 74 Fig. 75 Centration for interference contrast

Objective pupil with correctly centred compensation stripe 1 Centring keys in working position

87
Choice of prisms Sources of error if ICT image quality
is unsatisfactory
Choose the objective-side prism with the letter
indicated in the top line of the objective en- Embedding medium, specimen slide (petri dish)
graving, e. g. C for pupil position C, by rotating or specimens (e. g. crystals, fibres) are of
the turret. birefringent material. The phase shifts caused
by birefringence disturb the interference con-
Choose the condenser-side prism that corre- trast image. This can sometimes be remedied
sponds to the magnification of the objective by rotating the specimen.
used, e. g. pos. 40 for objective 40x, by rotating
the disc.

Setting ICT contrast

Turn the objective-side prism turret to the left
and right (Fig. 76). Also adjust the contrast with
the aperture diaphragm. Optimum contrast for
specimens with parallel structures can be
obtained by rotating the specimen. Colour
contrast: Turn over the analyser, so that the
lambda sign can be seen on the top.

Fig. 76
Setting ICT contrast

88
Operation of incident light fluorescence
The BG 38 filter should always be used for
n.b.: photography.
When not looking through the microscope,
Only with microscope with integrated incident always block the incident light path to prevent
light fluorescence axis. specimens fading. Push the switch rod in all the
way.
Fluorescence observation
Focus the specimen in transmitted light first, if The 3 clickstop positions of the switch rod (p. 69,
possible (perhaps Phaco or ICT). 63b.11) mean:

Select a filter cube to suit the excitation and Switch rod

emission spectrum of the specimen and move
into the light path by rotating the turret (fig. 26, Stop Incident light path blocked
p. 29). Open the iris diaphragm of the objective. (light stop)
Switch the magnification changer* (on the BG 38 BG 38 engaged
DM IRB-SLR and DM IRE2 versions) by turning Incident light path open
the knurl to pos. 1x. Switch off the transmitted
light illumination using the brightment
adjustment (p. 69, 63b.8).
Open the incident light path. The switch rod
should be pulled out fully (p. 69, 63b.11).
If the background is too red, engage a BG 38
filter. Push the switch rod in halfway.

89
Centration of the 12 V 100 W, Hg, Xe lamps Method 2:
Centration in the rear focal plane of the
Lamphousing 107/2 for 12 V 100 W halogen lamp
objective
This lamphousing is permanently set and does
1. Turn a low-power objective into the light path
not require centration. However, it is essential
and, using the BF reflector, focus on a
that the lamp is aligned straight in its mount.
strongly reflecting specimen (e. g. surface
mirror) with the coarse and fine drive. Open
Lamphousing 107 L for 12 V 100 W halogen lamp
the field and aperture diaphragm (81.1 + 81.3).
(Fig. 77)
2. Remove the eyepiece from the right or left
3 alternative centration methods:
tube and look into the empty eyepiece tube.
3. Slightly reduce the light intensity until the
Method 1:
back objective pupil (back lens surface of the
Centration with a centring aid
objective) can be clearly seen.
On the right side of the microscope there is an 4. Adjust the lamp collector (77.4) until you see
adjustment window showing an image of the the structure of the lamp filament.
light source. The reflector for lamp adjustment is The filament image is divided into two with a
inserted in the filter turret instead of a filter cube pale stripe in the middle (Fig. 78).
and turned into the light path. Please note that only the central area of the
filament can be seen and that the image is
Centre the lamp as described for method 2 while very low in contrast.
watching the light source in the adjustment
window.

Fig. 78 Lamphousing 107/2 and 107 L

Reflection of the lamp filament (greatly schematized): the
Fig. 77 Lamphousing 107 L reflection is actually very low in contrast, the pale overlap
1 Cover fixing screws, 2 Screw for horizontal adjustment, area is wider and more blurred. For lamphousing 106 z the
3 Screw for vertical adjustment, 4 Collector focusing reflection is rotated by 90.

1 2

90
5. Using an Allen key, adjust the screw for hori- 5. Using the centring screws, slide the image of
zontal adjustment (77.3) until the pale stripe the filament into the middle of the centration
of the filament image is in the centre of the area marked with a dot or cross, as described
pupil. in Method 2.
6. Then adjust the screw for vertical adjustment
(77.2) to align the filament image vertically in Lamphousing 106 z L with halogen lamp,
the centre of the pupil. Xe and Hg lamps
(switch gas discharge lamps on and off at sepa-
Method 3:
rate power units)
Centration in the plane of the specimen stage
1. Put a piece of paper or non-shiny piece of For lamphousing 106 z the direct lamp image and
Leica packaging on the specimen stage and the reflection of the reflector are focused
roughly focus the surface with a low-mag- separately and aligned to each other.
nification objective. Either of the above methods can be used for
2. Set the field and aperture diaphragms at the imaging the lamp filament or arc.
middle position.
3. Make a dot or cross on the centration area Centration of 12 V 100 W halogen lamp
with a felt or ball point pen and slide it into
Move the reflection of the filament to the side or
the centre of the spot of light. Fix with the
entirely out of the light path by adjusting the
specimen clip if necessary.
centring screws on the back of the lamphousing
4. Screw out the objective or turn an empty
(79.5, 80). Focus the direct image of the filament
nosepiece position into the light path.
with the collector adjustment (79.1)
Then, using the centring buttons, adjust the
image of the filament until the centration area or
rear focal plane of the objective is half filled
Fig. 79 Lamphousing 106 z with Hg 100 W lamp (Fig. 80b).
1 Lamp adjustment, vertical, 2 Reflector adjustment, vertical, Then focus the reflection of the filament with the
3 Focusing of the reflector image, 4 Reflector adjustment, ho- centring buttons for the reflector adjustment
rizontal, 5 Lamp adjustment, horizontal, 6 Collector focusing,
7 Cover fixing screw
and align symmetrically to the direct image
(Fig. 80c).

7 6 1 5

2
3
4

91
 Hg 100 W and Xe 75 W lamps

Attention: Using the centring buttons (79.1, 79.5) move the

direct image of the arc to the middle of the
centration area, with the bright tip of the arc, the
Never look straight into the light path! focal spot of the cathode, just off centre.
Remember the risk of glare when switching Then focus the reflection (79.3) and, using the
to the BF or Smith reflector! centring buttons of the reflector adjustment,
move the reflection until it is symmetrical with
the direct image (Fig. 80a, b, c).
The V-shaped emissions of the arcs of the direct
Centration of Xe or Hg gas discharge lamps
image and the reflection can be superimposed.
Move the reflection of the discharge arc to the
side or entirely out of the light path by adjusting
the centring screws on the back of the lamp-
housing (79.2, 79.3, 79.4). Attention:
Focus the direct image of the arc with the
collector adjustment (79.6).
The bright tip of the light arcs, the focal spots
of the cathode, must never be projected on
Attention: top of one another, as there is then a risk of
explosion due to overheating.
Use the neutral density filter to reduce the Replace spent burners in good time and
intensity of the discharge arc image on the dispose of in an environmentally compatible
centration areas due to the risk of glare way.
damaging the eyes. Open lamphousing only after cooling and
disconnection from the mains.
Centre the arc images as follows: Wear gloves and mask if using Xe lamps.
Hg lamps will reach their full intensity only
Hg 50 W mercury lamp after a few minutes, they do not ignite when
hot.
Using the centring buttons (79.1, 79.5) move the
direct image of the arc to the right or left of an
imaginary line through the middle of the
centration area. Then focus the reflection (79.3)
and, using the centring buttons of the mirror
adjustment (79.2, 79.4), move the reflection until
it is symmetrical with the direct image (Fig. 80c).

92
Fig. 80
Schematic diagram of the lamp centration in lamphousing 106 z (in reality the lamp images are not as sharp)
a direct lamp image, focused, but decentred
b direct lamp image in correct position
c indirect and direct lamp image in correct position

a b c

Halogen
lamp

Hg 50
lamp

Hg 100-/
Xe 75
lamp

93
Centring the aperture diaphragm Centring the field diaphragm
Turn a low to medium objective magnification Turn a low to medium objective magnification
10x/20x into the light path and focus a specimen 10x/20x into the light path and focus a specimen
with the coarse and fine drive. with the coarse and fine drive.
Open the field diaphragm almost as far as the
Remove an eyepiece from one of the two edge of the field of view.
eyepiece tubes and look into the empty tube or Using the centring buttons (81.4), centre the field
move the Bertrand lens into the light path. diaphragm to the edge of the field of view.
Regulate the light intensity so that the rear
objective pupil (rear lens surface of the ob- The field diaphragm is imaged on the surface of
jective) can be clearly seen. the specimen, framing the illuminated field.
Normally, the field diaphragm is opened until it
Using the adjustment button (81.1), open the just disappears out of the field of view.
aperture diaphragm nearly to the edge of the When imaging reduced picture diagonals such
pupil. as in photomicrography or TV microscopy, the
Centre the aperture diaphragm to the edge of field diaphragm can be narrowed to frame the
the pupil with the centring screws (81.2). picture format, enhancing the image contrast.
The aperture diameter of the field diaphragm
The aperture diaphragm influences the reso- remains the same for all objective magnifi-
lution, contrast and field depth of the micro- cations.
scope image. Image quality greatly depends on
how carefully it is set. It may not be used for
regulating the image intensity.

Fig. 81 Aperture and field diaphragm

1 Aperture diaphragm adjustment, 2 Aperture diaphragm
centring screws, 3 Field diaphragm adjustment, 4 Field
diaphragm centring screws

4 2

94
Possible errors Low-contrast image due to:
Weak fluorescence, insufficient brightness:
Excitation bandwidth too wide.
Wrongly stored, overaged or faded specimens.
Inspecific staining.
Fast fading of the specimens (e. g. for FITC).
Fluorescing mounting medium.
Unspecified filter combination.
Autofluorescence of objectives not suitable for
UV or autofluorescence of the immersion oil.
Numerical aperture of the objective too low.
Glass surfaces dirty.
Eyepiece magnification too high.

Spent lamp.

Room too bright.

Trinocular tube: wrong beamsplitter setting.

Stray light due to reflections at the condenser.

95
Operation of filters
Light filters
Up to max. 3 light filters can be inserted in the filter holder (1.16). They can be switched in and out
the light path as required.

Filter Use

Grey filter Grey filters (neutral density filters) are used to

attenuate the light without influencing the
colour temperature. The engraved value, e. g.
N16, indicates the attentuation value. So N16
means reduction to 1/16 = 6.3 % transmission.

Green filter, panchromatic for general enhancement of contrast in black-

and-white photography.

DLF Conversion filter for colour photography with

daylight film.

ALF Enhances contrast for colour photography with

artificial light film.

VG9 (green filter ) Contrast enhancement for chromosome photo-

graphy.

96
Operation of the slide overlay device
Slide overlay device The original is imaged 2 : 1 in the intermediate
image plane of the microscope. A distance of
The slide overlay device is used for reflecting
e. g. 5 mm in the slide overlay is enlarged to
measurement and comparison patterns, m
10 mm in the intermediate image plane of the
marks, marker arrow, company logo and quality
microscope.
data etc. into the microscope image so they
appear on the photograph.
The overlay is only possible in beamsplitter
position 50/50 (switch rod) in the middle position
Slides with the following line patterns are
of the tube (FSA 25 PE).
available:
Marker arrow
The framed slide is inserted in the fitted slide
Measurement
holder (83.6), with the lettering on the white side
scale 10 mm = 100 divisions
of the slide facing the lamp.
m marks for 2.5x 100x objectives
10 x 10 mm grid division
The slide holder can be adjusted on all sides, so
that the overlay can be positioned anywhere in
You can make your own masks with any meas-
the microscope image. Remember that when
urement and comparison line patterns, quality
you move the slide, the overlay in the image will
data, company logos, etc.
move in the opposite direction. This takes a bit
of getting used to.
The original master has to be copied on a 35 mm
negative, i. e. white line patterns on a dark back-
The white line pattern can be given a coloured
ground, preferably using fine-grain document
background by inserting 32 mm colour filters in
film, and then framed in a customary 50 x 50 mm
the filter slot (83.7).
slide frame.

97
Operation of the macro device
Like the slide overlay device, the macro overlay Stand lamps, cold-light illuminators and fibre-
(Fig. 82) only works in the 50/50 beamsplitter optic lamps, etc. are suitable sources for micro-
position (switch rod in middle position) of the scopy.
FSA 25 PE tube. The image is observed in the microscope tube
The microscope illumination is left switched off and focused by turning the knurled ring (82.10).
to avoid disturbing image brightening. The magnification can be changed continuously
The object is placed on the stage under the in a range of 1 : 4 by adjusting the zoom ring
mirror housing of the macrodual zoom (82.11) (82.7).
and illuminated. When changing the magnification with the zoom
control the image has to be slightly refocused
with the knurled ring (82.10). The zoom
magnification factors can be read on the scale
(82.8). The magnification also changes when the
distance between the object and the macro
attachment is varied.

Fig. 82 Macro device on FSA 25 PE tube with tube adapter

1 Tube flange, 2 Coupling ring, 3 Reflection optics, 4 Coupling
ring, 5 Macro adapter, 6 Screw ring, 7 Zoom setting ring 1 : 4,
8 Scale of zoom factor, 9 Scale of magnification factor of the
working distance, 10 Scale of object distance from the bottom
edge of the mirror housing, 11 Mirror housing

7 9
12 3 4 5 6 8 10 11

98
The total magnification in the microscope, the Viewed with a 10x eyepiece, this intermediate
reproduction ratio on the photograph or TV image of 0.1x gives a total magnification of 1x in
image can be quickly and easily measured with the microscope eyepiece (0.1 x 10 = 1x).
a scale and calculated.
The total magnification of the film plane of a
n.b.: For normal viewing without the macro camera is derived from multiplying the inter-
mirrorhousing or macrodual zoom, put on the mediate image magnification M1 by the
cover to avoid disturbing overlay effects. magnifications of the photo eyepiece and
camera attachment, e. g.:
The mirror housing (82.11) can be rotated intermediate image magnification 0.1x
through 360, for example to alter the angle at photo projection lens 10x
which the photograph is taken. This is done by camera factor 35 mm 0.32x
loosening the Allen screw. 0.1 x 10x0.32 = 0.32x

The intermediate image magnification M1 of the

macro object can be worked out from the
eyepiece field of view and the diameter of the
object field (measured with a graduated ruler)
as follows:
M1 = z. B.
field of view e. g.
M1 = 10x/20 eyepiece M = 0.1
object field object field = 200 mm
M1 = M1 =

Fig. 83
Slide overlay on the FSA 25 PE tube (with tube adapter)
1 Tube flange, 2 Coupling ring of reflection optics, 3 Reflection
optics, 4 Coupling ring of slide overlay device, 5 Knurled
focusing ring, 6 5 x 5 cm slide holder, 7 Filter slot, 8 Illumina-
tion adapter of lamphousing Fig. 84 Transformer

5 7
12 3 4 6 8

99
The total magnification can be roughly Use of the macrodual zoom as a drawing device
calculated with the scale divisions on the Drawing microstructures under the microscope
macrodual zoom: has the advantage over photomicrography that
significant details can be highlighted and that
The following factors have to be multiplied for structures can be depicted in three dimensions.
this: This is not possible with photomicrography.
Magnification factor of the working distance Apart from this, drawing with the superimposed
(scale (82.9), e. g. 0.11x) image method is a valuable didactic exercise.
Zoom factor (scale (82.8), e. g. 1x) It is done by superimposing the drawing area
Correction factor of the reflection optics (the area of the stage under the mirror housing
(without engraving 1.17x) of the macrodual zoom) onto the microscope
Eyepiece magnification (e. g. 10x) image. The drawing area or sheet of paper is
e. g. 0.11 x 1 x 1.17 x 10 = 1.29 homogeneously illuminated with a stand lamp or
table lamp.
The total magnification in the eyepiece would The microscope illumination and illumination of
therefore be 1.29x. the drawing area are matched providing the
lamps are adjustable; otherwise the brightness
of the drawing area can be varied by altering the
proximity of the lamp.

100
Length measurements Important: If using a magnification changer*
(DM IRB-SLR and DM IRE2 stands):
The following components are required for
Remember to take the additional magnification
length measurements:
value into consideration separately instead of
Graticule with scale in eyepiece (Fig. 85) or in
extrapolating the micrometer values of the other
the slide overlay device (Fig. 83).
objectives from the calibration of one objective.
Transmitted light stage micrometer for cali-
Measurement errors may occur if the eyepiece
bration.
is not pushed into the tube as far as the stop.
Before measurement, the micrometer value of
Connections for TV cameras and
the objective/eyepiece combination must be
photomicro equipment
known, i. e. the distance in the specimen that
corresponds to a scale interval in the graticule All the variants of the Leica DM IRB stand have
you are using. a photo/TV exit on the left side.
Leica DM IRB microscopes can also be fitted
Calibration: with either a front or bottom port. With the
Align the stage micrometer and the graticule electonic version, Leica DM IRE2, there is the
parallel to one another by rotating the eyepiece possibility of integrating a bottom port in
and adjust the zero marks of the two scales to addition.
exactly the same height (Fig. 85). There are also photo/TV exits in the trinocular
tubes for vertical adaption of camera systems.
Read how many scale divisions of the stage
micrometer correspond to how many on the
microscope scale (graticule) and divide the two
values.

Example:
If 1.220 mm of the stage micrometer corre- Fig. 85 Graticule scale in the eyepiece (left) and image of the
sponds to 100 divisions of the measurement stage micrometer (right)
scale, the micrometer value is = 1.220 : 100 =
0.0122 mm = 12.2 m. For extremely low
objective magnifications it may be that only part
of the measurement scale can be used for
calibration.

101
Various adapters are available for connecting TV cameras with c-mount or B-mount objective
thread:

Recorded picture diagonal in mm for

1-inch- 2/3-inch- 1/2-inch- 1/3-inch-
camera camera camera camera

without zoom magnification, only for 1-chip-cameras:

c-mount-adapter 1 x HC 16 11 8 6
c-mount-adapter 0.63 x HC - 17.5 12.7 9.5
c-mount-adapter 0.5 x HC - - 16 12
c-mount-adapter 0.35 x HC - - - 17.1

with zoom magnification (Vario TV adapter), for 1-3 chip-cameras:

c-mount, 0.32-1.6 x HC - - 19+)-5 18-3.8
B-mount (ENG), 0.5-2.4 x HC (1/2-inch) - - 16-3.3 -
+)
from zoom factor 0.42 x only!

without zoom magnification, for 1-3 chip-cameras:

c-mount-adapter 1 x - - 16 12
B-mount-adapter 1 x - - 16 12
B-mount-adapter 1.25 x - 17.5 - -
F-mount-adapter 1 x - - 16 12
F-mount-adapter 1.25 x - 17.5 - -
TV-optics 0.5 x HC required!

Fig. 86 C-mount adapter on side port

1 TV camera, 2 Adapter with c-mount thread (or B-mount
bayonet), 3 Clamp screw, 4 Photo adapter tube

1 2 4

102
Calculation of the magnification on the monitor DM IRB with side photo port and front port
(DM IRB-SLR) and correspondingly two beam-
For all TV exits the magnification on the monitor
splitter switch rods (90.1 and 90.2).
can be calculated with the following formula:
Image recording via phototube and/or side
MTV = objective magnification x tube factor x
port:
TV monitor diameter Bottom switch rod (90.2) pushed in (91.3 and
adapter magnification x
chip diameter of camera 91.4).
Push top switch rod (90.1) in if you want 100%
of the light to go to the tube.
Beamsplitting for photomicrography
Pull top switch rod out if you want 80% of the
or TV microscopy
light to go to the side port and 20% to the tube.
DM IRB with side photo port only and corre-
spondingly with one beamsplitter switch rod Image recording via front port* (SLR/TV) and
(90.1). phototube:
Upper switch rod (90.1) pushed in, lower
Image recording via phototube: switch rod (90.2) pulled out = 50 % light to the
Switch rod pushed in = 100 % light to the tube front port and 50 % to the tube (91.5).
(91.1).
Image recording via side photo port: See also beamsplitting chart on page 77 !
Switch rod pulled out = 80 % light to the side
port and 20 % light to the tube (91.2).

Fig. 87 Adaption of the front port for the SLR camera Fig. 88 Adaption of the front port for TV camera
1 SLR adapter, 2 T2 connector ring, 3 SLR camera 1 TV adapter 0.63x, 2 TV camera with c-mount thread

1 1
2

103
 n.b.:

Long-term video microscopy

The solid and therefore stable basic body of the
stand takes a while to stabilise thermally after
the microscope is switched on. For investiga-
tions taking over > 30 min. therefore, the
microscope should be switched on about
1 2 hours beforehand.
Fig. 90 Switch rods for beamsplitting Leica DM IRB
1 Upper beamsplitter switch rod (SIDE), 2 Lower beamsplitter
Fig. 89 Leica DM IRB, equipped with three TV cameras switch rod (FRONT)

Fig. 91 Beamsplitting
1 100 % light to the tube, 2 80 % light to the side photo port, 20 % to the tube, 3 100 % light to the tube, 4 80 % light to the side
photo port, 20 % to the tube, 5 50 % light to the front port, 50 % to the tube

1 2
SIDE SIDE
OFF ON

3 4 5
SIDE SIDE SIDE
OFF ON OFF

FRONT FRONT FRONT

OFF OFF ON

104
Operation of LMC
Leica modulation contrast (LMC) is a special Further advantages of this technique are:
form of oblique illumination based on the
principle of Hoffmann modulation contrast. high contrast
high resolution
In this technique, the phase gradients of an halo-free, high-contrast relief image
unstained specimen are converted into dif- long free working distance of the condenser
ferences in amplitude with the aid of a modu- easy assembly and adjustment
lator. use for both stained and unstained specimens.
This gives a three-dimensional impression simi-
lar to an interference contrast image. Unlike
interference contrast, however, the specimen
can be observed through birefringent plastic
materials such as petri dishes.

105
Principle of LMC
The principle The light coming from the light slit diaphragm is
diffracted at the object into different directions,
Leica modulation contrast (LMC) is based on the
depending on the objects refractive index
principle of Hoffmann modulation contrast.
gradient, so that some of the rays have to pass
This imaging technique is particularly suitable
through the light zone of the modulator and
for unstained, colourless objects with little
some through the dark zone. The non-diffracted
image contrast.
direct light passes through the grey zone and
Such objects change the phase of the light
produces the grey background of the entire field
when it passes through them.
of view. Most of the rays diffracted at the object
The conversion of these phase gradients into
pass through the light zone and produce the
differences in amplitude results in a three-di-
image.
mensional image similar to that of differential
interference contrast.
If the condenser is set at the brightfield
position and the specimen is removed, the dark
To realise this technique, a light slit diaphragm
and the grey zone can be seen at the edge of the
and an objective with integrated modulator are
field of view. The image of the slit diaphragm is
required. The modulator is a filter built into the
in the light zone. To adjust, the light slit
rear focal plane which divides it into three
diaphragm is rotated until the bright stripe of the
zones, a dark zone, a grey zone and a light zone.
slit image covers the grey stripe of the modu-
lator.

106
Components
The components LMC objectives
LMC consists of the following components: The following objectives are available:

S40/0.50 LMC condenser C PLAN 10x/0.22 LMC

C PLAN L 20x/0.30 LMC
The condenser (order no. 521225) is supplied
C PLAN L 40x/0.50 LMC
with a condenser disc to accommodate 3 LMC
N PLAN L 20x/0.40 CORR LMC
diaphragms, plus two phase contrast light rings
N PLAN L 40x/0.55 CORR LMC
and a brightfield position (3x LMC, PH1, PH2,
PL Fluotar L 63 x/0.70 CORR LMC
brightfield).
Adhesive labels are enclosed for labelling the
In the rear focal plane of the objectives a
individual positions.
special modulator, similar to the phase contrast
In the front focal plane of the condenser a light
rings, has been fitted.
slit diaphragm has already been assembled in
each of the LMC positions, corresponding to the
When unpacking, check that you have all the
supplied objectives.
components.
The LMC condenser does not need a field
diaphragm and is therefore supplied without
one.

107
Assembly/adjustment
Assembly Adjustment

When taking the following steps, regard the Open the aperture diaphragm on the condenser
notes about the assembly of the stand. fully.

! n. b.:
Before installing the LMC components, remove
Switch on the light. Select a medium brightness
setting.

the field diaphragm. Also remove any filters,

Set the condenser to the brightfield position
prisms and interference contrast components.
and turn the first LMC objective into the light
path (usually the objective with the smallest
Screw the LMC objectives into the objective magnification).
nosepiece.
Engage the Bertrand lens using the adjustment
Replace the condenser on the microscope with wheel on the right side of the microscope.
the S40/0.50 LMC condenser. First check that the
inserted light slit diaphragms match the You will now see the modulator built into the
objectives in the nosepiece. The light slit dia- objective as a grey rectangle at the edge of the
phragms are labelled, for example, LMC 10, field of view. Its position (top, bottom, left, right)
LMC 20 or LMC 40. is not fixed and may vary for different objectives.
Focus the image of the modulator using the
Example: LMC 10 diaphragms belong to the Bertrand lens.
C PLAN 10x/0.22 LMC objective.
Turn the condenser to switch to the light slit
The light diaphragms are usually assembled at
diaphragm whose name corresponds to the
the factory to match the supplied objectives. If
engraving on the objective (e. g. LMV 10 for the
the light slit diaphragms are supplied separately,
C PLAN 10x objective).
they must be inserted in the positions in the
You will now see a bright rectangle.
condenser disc to match the objectives used.

108
The light slit diaphragm is now adjusted until the Always make sure that the objective name and
bright stripe of the slit image is fully inside the the name of the light slit diaphragm coincide.
grey stripe of the modulator. The light slit
diaphragm can be rotated and moved in x and y Then disengage the Bertrand lens with the
direction. adjustment wheel on the right side of the
For the 10x objective the image of the modulator microscope. Switch on magnification 1x or
and the light slit are virtually the same size. higher and put a specimen on the stage.
Adjust the light slit diaphragm until the bright slit
lies near the dark edge.

Repeat this process for each objective.

109
Areas of application
On the Leica DM IRB or Leica DM IRE2 Avoidance of halo effects
microscope, LMC is particularly suitable for life
Phase contrast images are often spoiled by halo
science applica-tions.
effects. These do not occur with LMC.
Use of birefingent materials
Use for fluorescing specimens
Transparent, living cultures in petri dishes can
Morphology of fluorescing and non-fluorescing
be observed in three dimensions, for example.
specimens can be analysed without changing
the objective or moving the specimen.
Use of a micromanipulator
The long free working distance of the S40/0.50
LMC condenser offers plenty of space for
manipulation tools. The 3D image impression
makes it easier to find suitable injection points.

Optical sectioning
LMC produces a large, flat observation area.
This makes it easier to focus a specific area for
observation.

110
Care and maintenance
Cleaning of lacquered components

Attention: Dust and loose particles of dirt can be removed

with a soft brush or lint-free cotton cloth.
Before cleaning and maintenance work, re-
Obstinate dirt can be removed with any ordinary
member to disconnect from the mains!
hydrous solution, benzine or alcohol.
Protect electric components from damp!
Use a linen or leather cloth moistened with one
of these substances to clean lacquered compo-
Microscopes in warm and humid climates need nents.
special care to keep them free of fungus.
The microscope should be cleaned every time it
is used and the microscope optics should be
kept immaculately clean.
! Attention:
Do not use acetone, xylol or nitro dilution, which
may damage the microscope.
Dust protection
Cleaning agents of unknown composition should
n.b.: be tested on an inconspicuous part of the
microscope first. Lacquered or plastic surfaces
must not be tarnished or etched.
Protect the microscope and peripherals from
dust by putting on the flexible dust cover after
Cleaning the stage
each work session.
Remove light spots on the stage by rubbing with
Cleaning paraffin oil or acid-free vaseline.

! Attention:
Cleaning glass surfaces
Remove dust on glass surfaces with a fine, dry
Fibre and dust residue can cause disturbing and grease-free hair brush, by blowing with a
background fluorescence in fluorescence bellows ball or by vacuum suction.
microscopy.

111
Obstinate dirt on glass surfaces can be carefully Removal of immersion oil
removed with a clean cloth moistened with
distilled water. If the dirt can still not be
removed, pure alcohol, chloroform or benzine Attention:
can be used instead of distilled water.
Read the safety information for immersion
Cleaning objectives
oil!

First wipe the immersion oil off with a clean

Attention: cotton cloth and then wipe several times with
ethyl alcolhol.
Objectives should not be screwed apart for
cleaning. If there are signs of interior Acids, alkaline solutions
damage, send the objectives to your nearest
Particular care should be taken when working
Leica agency for repair. We also advise
with acids or other aggressive chemicals.
against cleaning the inner surfaces of
eyepieces.
! Attention:

The front lenses of objectives are cleaned as Always avoid direct contact between such
described under Cleaning glass surfaces. The chemicals and the optics or stands.
top lens is cleaned by blowing off the dust with a
bellows ball.

112
Troubleshooting
All Leica instruments are manufactured and Electric errors
tested with extreme care. If you do have cause
These may be:
for complaint, however, please do not try to
repair the instruments and their accessories
1. The lamp on the microscope does not work.
yourself. Contact your national agency or our
2. There is no power.
central servicing department, the Technical
Service in Wetzlar, direct. Postal address:
Check the following possible causes:

Leica Microsystems Wetzlar GmbH

The on/off switch does not respond
Abt. Technischer Service
(no illumination):
Postfach 20 40
D-35530 Wetzlar Check that all mains cables are properly con-
Tel. (0) 64 41-29 28 49 nected.
Fax (0) 64 41-29 22 66 Make sure that there is power at the sockets
Email: MQM-Hotline@leica-microsystems.com you are using and that they are not
deactivated by a mains switch.
Apart from preparation errors (e. g. staining or After you have ruled out the possibility of all
wrong specimen vessel), which cannot be dealt possible external sources of error, check that
with in this manual, there are two main a fuse of the Leica DM IRB or Leica DM IRE2,
categories of error: the electronics box or the power unit is not
defective.
Mechanical errors and
electric errors.
Replacing the mains fuse on the microscope

Mechanical errors
We already mentioned possible mechanical Attention:
errors in the Installation and Operation
chapters.
Call the Technical Service!
These mainly involve errors in inserting con-
trasting equipment, maladjustment of light rings
or the wrong condenser height setting. The integrated transmitted light lamp does not
We described all these possible errors in pre- respond.
vious chapters.
Make sure the plug of the lamp cable is firmly
Therefore, if you are not satisfied with the
plugged into the corresponding socket on the
quality of the image, read the relevant sections
back of the Leica DM IRB or Leica DM IRE2
of the manual.
stand.
The halogen lamp may be faulty.

113
Replacing the 12 V/100 W halogen lamp Insert the new lamp as far as it will go into the
sockets of the lamp holder.
Mount the lamphousing and screw down with
Attention: a 3 mm Allen key.
Reconnect the transmitted light illumination
column to the power supply on the back of the
Remember to disconnect from the mains!
stand.
Leave the protective cover on until the lamp
Connect the microscope and, if used, the
is inserted. Avoid making fingermarks, or
power unit to the mains.
wipe off immediately.
The additional fluorescence lamp does not
Switch off the microscope and the power unit respond.
(if used). Make sure the cable connections lamp pow-
Disconnect the appliance cable of the er unit mains are correct and complete.
microscope and the power unit. Possible causes for the failure of the
Disconnect the transmitted light illumination fluorescence lamp are: a defect fuse of the
column from the power supply on the back of power unit, a defect lamp or a defect burner in
the microscope. the lamphousing.
Screw off the lamphousing with a 3 mm Allen
key.
Remove the faulty lamp.

Fig. 93 Lamphousing for transmitted light illumination (cover

removed)
Fig. 92 Lamphousing for transmitted light illumination 1 Lamp holder (pin base) with 12 V 100 W halogen lamp,
1 Cover, 2 Cover screws 2 Collector, 3 Heat protection filter

2 3

1 1

114
Replacing the mains fuse on the power unit*

Attention:

Remember to disconnect from the mains!

Switch off the microscope and the power unit.

Disconnect the appliance cable of the micro-
scope and the power unit.
Remove the defect fuse from the fuse holder.
Replacement fuses of IEC 127-2 standard
and/or UL 198 G and/or company type:
Fig. 94 Lamphousing 107/2
Part no.: 846-205.000-00 1 Screw for opening the lamphousing

Name: T4A
Wickmann 19 195/
Schutter FST

Fig. 96 Lamphousing 106, opened

Fig. 95 Lamphousing 107/2, opened 1 Screw for opening the lamphousing, 2 Holder with 12 V
1 Collector, 2 Holder with 12 V 100 W halogen lamp 100 W halogen lamp, 3 Collector, 4 Diffusing disc

3
1
4

115
 n.b.:
Attention:
Never use fuses with a different rating from the
ones specified. Always disconnect external transformers
and the microscope from the mains when
Connect the microscope and the power unit to carrying out assembly work!
the mains.
Switch off the microscope and the power unit.
Replacing the 12 V / 100 W halogen lamp Disconnect the appliance cable of the micro-
in lamphousing 106, 107, 107/2 scope and the power unit.
Ask a member of Leica field staff to show you Slacken the clamp screw on the microscope
how to change the halogen lamp properly. and remove the lamphousing.
Here again are all the necessary steps: Slacken the screw (94.1) on the lid and re-
move the lid.
Move the collector (93.3) to the front if neces-
sary.

n.b.:

This step is not necessary with lamphousing

107/2.

Fig. 97 Lamphousing 106 z, opened

1 Lid, flipped up, 2 Collector, 3 12 V 100 W halogen or gas
discharge lamp, 4, 9 Screw holes for lid, 5 Reflector, 6, 8 x-y
adjustment screws for centration of reflector, 7 Reflector
focusing, 10 Fixing screws for lamp holder, 11 Socket for cut-
out plug Fig. 98 12 V 100 W lamp holder

5
6
2
3 7

8
4 9

10 11 10

116
 Switch off the microscope and the power unit.
Disconnect the appliance cable of the micro-
Attention: scope and the power unit.
Slacken the clamp screw on the microscope
Leave the protective cover on until the lamp and remove the lamphousing.
is inserted. Avoid making fingermarks, or Slacken the screws (97.4 and 97.9) on the lid
wipe off immediately. with a cross-tip screwdriver.
Pull the cut-out plug slightly out of the socket
Remove the defect lamp. (97.11) and flip up lid.
Put a new 12 V 100 W halogen lamp into the
lamp holder without tilting (95.2 or 96.2).
Move the collector back. Attention:
Put on the lid and secure with screw (94.1 or
94.1). Leave the protective cover on until the lamp
Align the lamphousing against the microscope is inserted. Avoid making fingermarks, or
and secure with the clamp screw. wipe off immediately.
Connect the lamphousing to the power unit.

Replacing the 12 V 100 W halogen lamp in Slacken the fixing screws (97.10) on the lamp
lamphousing 106 z* holder and pull out the lamp holder (Fig. 98).
Remove the defect lamp.
Put a new 12 V/100 W lamp into the lamp
holder.
Attention:
Push in the lamp holder and secure it with the
screws (97.10).
Always disconnect external transformers Push the cut-out plug into the socket (97.11).
and the microscope from the mains when Close the lid and tighten the screws (97.4 and
carrying out assembly work! 97.9) on the lid.
Align the lamphousing against the microscope
and secure with the clamp screw.
Connect the lamphousing to the power unit.

117
Changing the Hg and Xe lamps Disconnect the power unit and the micro-
on lamphousing 106 z scope from the mains.
The LH 106 z L is opened by undoing the fixing
screws (97.4), pulling the cut-out plug slightly
Attention: out the socket (97.11) and flipping up the lid of
the lamphousing.
Slacken the safety screws (97.10) and pull out
Always disconnect the power unit from the
the lamp holder (Fig. 99).
mains before carrying out assembly work.
Insert the burner as follows, making abso-
Wait for the lamphousing to cool down for
lutely sure to observe the safety measures
at least 15 minutes as otherwise it may
described above:
explode.
If there is a plastic cover on the burner, leave
Never touch glass parts of the burner with
it on for the time being.
your bare hands as finger perspiration
Insert the burner so that the lettering is
burns in.
upright after insertion (different diameters of
Wipe off any finger perspiration and dirt
the metal base for the Hg 100 and Xe 75
carefully (perhaps using alcohol).
burners ensure that these are always inserted
Adjust the lamps immediately after ignition.
the right way up).
Avoid switching on and off frequently, as
If the bulb has a glass seal point (99.2), the
this greatly reduces the life and stability of
burner is turned so that this point will be at the
the lamp. Do not ignite hot Hg lamps again
side, not in the light path.
until they have cooled down. It is advisable
Put the upper pin of the burner between the
to let new burners burn in for a few hours
clamps of the flexible power supply and clamp
without interruption.
with screw (99.1).
Ensure that lamphousing is adequately
Unscrew the stud (99.4) in the holder slightly,
ventilated. Never block the air vents with
insert the lower end of the metal base and
paper, etc. (fire risk).
retighten the stud.
It is best to keep a record of the number of
Remove the protective covering from the
hours a lamp has been in use and compare
burner now.
it with the manufacturers specifications.
We cannot accept any liability for damage
resulting from lamp explosions.

118
 Put the lamp holder with burner inserted into Push the cut-out plug in as far as it will go.
the lamphousing and secure with the screws Align the lamphousing against the microscope
(99.10). and secure with the clamp screw.
Close the lid of the lamphousing. When Connect the lamphousing to the power unit
closing the lamphousing, make sure that the (compare mains voltage!).
pins of the cut-out plug engage in the sockets.
Retighten the screws of the lid.

Fig. 99 Lamp holders for gas discharge lamps

1 Upper clamp, 2 Seal point of the burner, 3 Lower clamp, 4, 6 Drill holes for fixing the lamp holder, 5 Sockets for cut-out plug,
7 Protective cover

Hg 50 Xe 75
1
1 7

2 3
3

5
6

Hg 100 Hg 100
1
Stab. 1

119
Storage Packaging and
transport
Protect your microscope from dust by putting on The original packaging should be used if the
the cover after each work session. microscope has to be dispatched or trans-
ported. Also, the delivery note with full details
The microscope must be kept in a cupboard in should be enclosed.
which the temperature is 5C above room
temperature. The cupboard must have ven-
tilation holes which are plugged with cotton
wool, for example, to keep dust out. If this type
of storage is not possible, the microscope is
kept in a closed container with drying agent
(e. g. Silica gel).

120
Performance parameters
All techniques, not only in microscopy, are Objective lettering
subject to limits of performance due to basic
Examples and explanation of symbols:
physical laws and principles of eye physiology.
The following information should therefore be /-
remembered when using the microscope. C PLAN 10x/0.22

Performance data of objectives / 0.17

C PLAN 40x/0.65
The Leica DM IRB and Leica DM IRE2
microscope is based on tube length (infinity)
and a focal length of the tube lens of f = 200 mm.

! n. b.:
Objective for tube length infinity ().

Therefore, only objectives with the engraving
and M 25 screw thread may be used. The objective can be used with and without a
coverslip.
The current objective range is constantly being
updated. Please ask your Leica agency for a 02
copy of the Objective data sheets!
For use with coverslips with a thickness of
0 2 mm.

0.1 1.3
For use with coverslips with a thickness of
0.1 1.3 mm.

0.17
The objective may only be used with a coverslip
of the standard thickness 0.17 mm. No coverslip
or a coverslip with a very different thickness will
greatly impair the image, particularly with high
objective apertures (see below).

0
Use without a coverslip, e. g. for cell smears,
incident light. (Cannot be used for inverse
microscopes).

121
D (or A, B, C)
Pupil position of objective (important, e. g. for ! n.b.:
interference contrast). Objectives with built-in iris diaphragm.
The knurled ring may only be used for adjusting
Objective type (performance class): the diaphragm, not for screwing the objective in
C Plan or out.
Achromatic objective with particularly good Risk of damge!
price/performance ratio. Field performance
max. 20 mm. OIL, W, IMM
Immersion objectives for oil, water, universal
N Plan (oil, glycerine, water, etc.).
Achromatic objective with increased field per-
formance of at least 20 mm. PH
PH = phase contrast objective, with additional
PL FLUOTAR indication of assigned light ring in condenser,
Semiapochromats with particularly good field e. g. PH2.
performance of at least 25 mm and chromatic
correction. Universal optics for all techniques. BD
BD = brightfield/darkfield; objectives for incident
PL APO light microscopy with M 32 screw thread (not
Plan apochromats with a field performance of suitable for Leica DM IRB and Leica DM IRE2).
over 25 mm and maximum chromatic correction.
The best objectives in the Leica range. CORR
Correction mount for continuous adjustment to
HC coverslip/specimen slides or thickness of vessel
Harmonic Components. base.

X P, POL
Universally applicable, also backwards com- Strain-free objective for quantitative polarisa-
patible with Delta optics (= predecessors of HC tion microscopy.
optics).
U-V-I
L With special achromatic correction, i.e. parfocal
Long working distance. from the ultraviolet through the visual to the
near infrared range (from 340 nm to 1000 nm).
10x/0.22
Magnification and aperture. The aperture
(pick-up angle) influences resolution, field
depth, contrast and brightness. Objectives with
built-in iris diaphragm have an engraving
showing the maximum and minimum aperture,
e. g. 0.85 0.55.

122
Colour coding of the objectives
The magnification of each objective is indicated as per DIN/ISO standard by a colour ring:

100x 63x 40x 25x 16x 10x 6.3x 4x 2.5x 1.6x

125x 50x 32x 20x 5x
150x
160x
white dark light dark light yellow orange red brown grey
blue blue green green

Immersion objectives also have a second colour ring underneath:

Black Oil or IMM (= universal for oil, The different colour of the objective engraving
water, glycerine) indicates the use of the objective:
White Water Black or Brightfield objectives,
Orange Glycerine dark blue low-strain
Green Phase contrast objectives,
low-strain

Locking of objectives
The front part of immersion objectives (OIL, W,
IMM) can be pushed up (100.1 and 100.2) by
about 2 mm and locked in a shortened position
Fig. 100 Immersion objectives by a slight rotary movement. This stops any
1, 2 Oil immersion objectives (OIL), 1 in working position, remaining drops of immersion liquid from
2 locked in shortened position, 3 Water immersion objective wetting specimens or other objectives when the
(W), 4 Universal immersion objective (IMM) for water, nosepiece is turned.
glycerine, oil, 5 Colour coding for immersion, 6 Knurled ring
for screwing down

5
6

1 2 3 4

123
Performance data of eyepieces
Leica eyepiece Magnification/ Eyepiece port +)
type fov
The maximum eyepiece field of view of a
HC PLAN 10 x/20 M
HC PLAN 10 x/20 specific configuration is derived from the
HC PLAN 12.5 x/16 M following microscope data:
HC PLAN 10 x/20 MF
HC PLAN 10 x/22 M
HC PLAN 11 x/20 MF Field performance of the objectives
Field performance of the intermediate
module(s)
Eyepiece tube diameter: 30 mm
Tube field number
+) = With removable or push-back anti-glare protection Condenser properties
for use with or without eyeglasses.
M = Ajustable eyelens (dioptre compensation) and slot
for graticules of 26 mm diameter. The decisive value is always the smallest.
MF = With illuminated graticule. For example, if the intermediate modules only
permit a field of view of 20 mm, but the
objectives and tube 25 mm, only eyepieces up to
fov 20 can be used. Eyepieces with fov 25 can
The LEITZ PERIPLAN eyepiece type may not be used! Earlier lead to vignetting in this case.
L PLAN type eypieces may only be used with earlier type tubes
(before about 1988) without the HC engraving!
The diameter of the viewable specimen area is
Eyepiece field of view calculated by dividing the diameter of the field of
view by the magnification of the objective and
Each microscope configuration has a certain the magnification factor of the microscope
eyepiece field of view (see below), e. g. 20, optics.
which must not be exceeded. If the maximum
fov is exceeded there may be disturbing loss of Example:
definition and/or vignetting at the edge of the Eyepiece 10x/20
image, following pages! Objective PLAN 4/0.10
Magnification factor of the Leica DM IRB or
The eyepiece field of view (fov) designates the Leiva DM IRE2 microscope optics 1x
diameter of the intermediate image in the
eyepiece in mm, i.e. the diameter of the circular Viewable specimen area
diaphragm that frames the image and that lies
inside the eyepiece. This fov is specified on the 20 mm

= 5 mm
eyepiece after the magnification, e. g. 10x/20. 4x1
For the Leica DM IRB and Leica DM IRE2
microscope we recommend fov 22. The total magnification of the microscope is
worked out by multiplying the eyepiece mag-
nification with the reproduction ratio of the
objective and the magnification factor of the
microscope optics.

124
Example: Your Leica agency can supply you with a
Eyepiece 10x/20 constantly updated data sheet on all Leica
Objective PLAN 4/0.10 objectives.
Magnification factor 1x
Eyepiece graticules
Total magnification 10 x 4 x 1 = 40x
Graticules for length measurements and grain
and particle measurements
Field performance of objectives
The field performance of objectives is not Our product range comprises the following
engraved on the objectives. It may vary within graticules:
the same class, e. g. low objective magnifi- Graticule
cations may well exhibit slightly higher values 10 mm/100 divisions Order no. 506 950
than the average values given below: Graticule 10 mm/100 divisions
with crosshair Order no. 506 952
Objective series max. recommended Graticule for standard series
eyepiece fov and Snyder-Graff method Order no. 566 950
Graticule ASTM-E-112,
15 20 22 25 grain size determination Order no. 566 951
Achromats
Graticule with 10 x10 x 0.1 mm
C PLAN achromats grid divisions Order no. 506 954
APO L apochromats Graticule with 10 x10 x1 mm
N PLAN planachromats
PL FLUOTAR semiapochromats grid divisions Order no. 506 955
PL APO planapochromats
For calibrating the graticules, we recommend:
Incident light stage micrometer
1 mm = 100 divisions Order no. 563 011

Fig. 101 Optical outfit

1 N PLAN objective series for brightfield, 2 HC PLAN 10x/20
and HC PLAN 10x/22 and M

125
Filter performance data

Filter Use

Grey/neutral density filter N Grey (neutral density) filters are used for light
attenuation without influencing the colour
temperature. The engraved value, e. g. N16,
indicates the attenuation value. So N16 means a
reduction to 1/16 = 100/16 = 6.25 % transmission.

Green filter, GR, panchromatic For general contrast enhancement and black-
and-white photography.

DLF Conversion filter (Daylight filter, blue, similar to

CB12), for colour photography with daylight film,
integrated in filter magazine.

BG38 (blue filter) Suppresses red for fluorescence (integrated in

fluorescence illuminator).

ALF Artificial light filter for enhancement of colour

contrast in colour photography with artificial
light films.

BG20 For highlighting red in Polaroid colour photo-

graphy.

VG9 (green filter) Enhances contrast in chromosome photography.

CB1.5, CB3 Conversion filter, blue: raises colour tempera-

ture with special lamps.

CR1.5 Conversion filter, red: lowers colour tempera-

ture, e. g. from 6000 K (colour temperature of an
Xe lamp) to 5500 K (colour temperature of
daylight film).

BG23 Enhances contrast of the complementary col-

ours blue and red for black-and-white film.

126
Tube performance data Binocular tube HCI B22
Tube changing is the same as for the upright The binocular tube consists of a basic part with
microscopes. the tube change ring at the bottom. The tube
The tubes are interchangeable. lens has the factor 1x. The Siedentopf binocular
part allows adjustment of the interpupillary
Fig. 102 HCI B22, Binocular tube with 45 viewing angle, field distance from 55 mm to 75 mm. The viewing an-
of view index up to 22, eyepiece diameter 30 mm for HC PLAN gle is 45. The tube has adjustable eyepiece
10x/20 or 22 eyepieces, interpupillary distance setting:
tubes for mechanical compensation of the
55 75 mm
1 Clamp screw, 2 Tube port, 3 Siedentopf binocular part
tube length when the interpupillary distance
changes. It allows a field of view index of 22.

Binocular ergotube HCI BV22

2 Like HCI B22, but with variable viewing angle of
3
15C 50C.

Fig. 103 HCI 3T22, Trinocular tube, 45 viewing angle,

Light path: 100 % vis switch rod
150 % 50 % switch rod
100 % photo switch rod
Field of view index up to 22, eyepiece diameter 30 mm for HC Fig. 104 HCI BV22, ergo binocular tube with 15 50 viewing
PLAN 10x/20 or 22 eyepieces, interpupillary distance setting: angle, field of view index up to 22, eyepiece diameter 30 mm
55 75 mm for HC PLAN 10x/20 or 22 eyepieces, interpupillary distance
1 Clamp screw, 2 Tube port, 3 Siedentopf binocular part, setting: 55 75 mm
4 Photo/TV exit, 5 Switch rod 1 Clamp screw, 2 Tube port, 3 Siedentopf binocular part

2 2

4 3
3

5 1
1

127
Trinocular tube HCI 3T22 HC FSA 25 PR
The trinocular tube consists of a basic part with Binocular observation and photo tube, viewing
the tube change ring at the bottom, the tube angle 30, with back reflection.
lens has the factor 1x. The Siedentopf binocular Controllable dark flap of the binocular port for
part allows adjustment of the interpupillary photography and microphotometry.
distance from 55 mm to 75 mm. The viewing an-
gle is 45. The tube has adjustable eyepiece 3 clickstop positions of the beamsplitter in the
tubes for mechanical compensation of the tube tube:
length when the interpupillary distance
changes. It allows a field of view index of 22. Switch rod Observation Photo
The documentation port is only operated with VIS 100 % 0%
HC components. 50/50 150 % 50 %
The tube contains a switchable mirror with PHOTO 110 % 100 %
three settings:
100 % visual Back reflection only at the 50 % / 50 % beam-
150 % / 50 % visual/photo splitter position.
100 % photo

Tube adapter R/IR

The tube adapter R/IR enables compatibility of
all tubes with viewing angle 30 of the Leica
DM R range.

On the Leica DM IRB or Leica DM IRE2 these

tubes are only suitable up to 22 fov.

128
HC FSA 25 PE Condenser performance data
Binocular observation and photo tube, viewing Condenser 0.30 S70
angle 30, with provision for optical overlay for
Without height adjustment, as the fixed focus
documentation of transparencies (slide overlay
concept of this condenser guarantees optimal
device) or opaque macro objects (macro de-
matching of light and phase rings for liquid
vice).
levels up to 60 mm. FWD (free working distance)
70 mm. For brightfield (HF), phase contrast (PH,
3 clickstop positions of the beamsplitter in the
Phaco), transmitted light interference contrast
tube:
(ICT) and polarisation contrast up to 40x ob-
jective magnification in each case. Used without
Switch rod Observation Photo
field diaphragm.
VIS 100 % 0%
50/50 150 % 50 %
Condensers 0.53 S23 and 0.90 S1
PHOTO 110 % 100 %
The condenser has a slide changer, height
adjustment and centration facility for setting
Koehler illumination. The holder holds the base
part of the condenser, which can be fitted with
condenser tops 0.53 S23, 0.90 S1 or P 1.40 OIL S1
to suit the particular application.

Possible applications of the condensers for the Leica DM IRB

Illumination Condenser Diaphragms/ Condenser Diaphragms/ Condenser Diaphragms/

technique 0.30 S70 objective accessories 0.53 S23 objective accessories 0.90 S1 objective accessories

Brightfield 2.5x 40x 5x 100x 10x 100x

Phaco 5x PH 0 S70 5x PH 0 S23

10x, 20x PH 1 S70 10x, 20x PH 1 S23 10x, 20x PH 1 S1
40x PH 2 S70 40x, 63x PH 2 S23 40x, 63x PH 2 S2
100x PH 3 S23 100x PH 3 S3

Interference ICT ICT ICT

contrast 10x 40x device. 10x 100x device. 10x 100x device.

Pol contrast 2.5x 40x Pol device 5x 100x Pol device 10x 100x Pol- device

Darkfield 5x n. A. 0.40 3 S23 10x n. A. 0.75 D S1

100 x for maximum resolution also possible with condenser top P 1.40 OIL S1

Light ring 3 S23 serves as DF diaphragm

For maximum resolution there is also a condenser top P 1.40 OIL S1

129
Together with condenser top 0.53 S23, max. Performance data of stages
FWD 30 mm, culture vessels can be examined and mountable object guides
microscopically up to liquid levels of 25 mm. For
contrasting techniques brightfield (HF), phase Plane stage
contrast (Phaco/PH), transmitted light inter-
With hole for insert rings of 20 mm diameter or
ference contrast (ICT) and polarisation contrast,
40 mm diameter. Holes for inserting specimen
objectives with magnifications up to 100x can
clips and two threaded holes on left and right
be used. For transmitted light darkfield we
underneath the stage for attachment of the
recommend objectives with a numerical aper-
object guide.
ture up to 0.40.
For condenser top 0. 90 S1, max. FWD 1 mm, thin
Object guide
specimen slides and coverslips must be used as
substrates for the specimen. Objectives with a Adjustment range: X 127 mm x Y 83 mm
numerical aperture up to 0.75 are suitable for To accommodate holders for different culture
transmitted light darkfield. All other contrasting vessels. Self-adhesive scales for the holders are
techniques can be performed up to objective enclosed for coordinate adjustment reading.
magnification 100x. These should be stuck in the countersinks of the
object guide.
Condenser disc
3-plate x/y stage
All condensers of the Leica DM IRB are
equipped with a 6-position disc which can be Adjustment range: X 60 mm x Y 40 mm
fitted with an individual choice of annular stops With hole for insert rings of 20 mm diameter or
for phase contrast (PH), darkfield (DF) or IC 40 mm diameter. Holes for inserting specimen
prisms for transmitted light interference con- clips. Coaxial drive for specimen positioning
trast (ICT). with universal joint.

Rotary stage with object guide

and frame insert for coverslips
Rotation radius: 360
Adjustment range of the object guide:
X 40 mm x Y 40 mm
The object guide accommodates specimen
slides or the frame insert for coverslips. The
minimum size of coverslips that can be secured
in the frame insert is 22 mm x 32 mm.

130
Stages Lamphousing performance data
Lamphousing 106*
Plane stage and mountable object guide
Lamphousing 106 is equipped with a 12 V 100 W
The plane stage is secured to the microscope halogen lamp. The lamp holder is centrable in x
with 3 screws. The object guide can be mounted and y direction. The aspherical collector can be
to either the right or the left of the plane stage. focused. Lamphousing 106 is fitted with a
diffusing disc and heat protection filter, but does
3-plate x/y stage not have a reflector.
To attach the stage, 3 screw holes first have to
be accessed by moving the stage in x/y direc- Lamphousing 106 z*
tion. Like lamphousing 106, but additionally with
centrable and focusable reflector and 4- to 6-
Rotary stage and frame insert for coverslips lens collector. A quartz collector is available on
The rotary stage is secured with 3 screws. Move request. The following lamps can be used (each
the rotary mount to gain access to all the screw have their own holder):
holes. Put the screws in the holes. 12 V/100 W halogen lamp (A.C.)
n. b. Use washers as well for the holes at the Ultra high pressure 50 W Hg lamp (A.C.)
back. Only screw the screws in lightly, as the Ultra high pressure 100 W Hg lamp
rotary stage first has to be centred: to do this, (D.C. stabilised/non-stabilised)
insert the centring aid in the rotary stage. Ultra high pressure 100 W Hg lamp
Engage the Bertrand lens by turning the knurl (D.C. stabilised/non-stabilised, type 103 W/2)
and focus with the lever. Move the stage until High pressure 75 W xenon lamp
the bright circle is in the centre of the field of (D.C. stabilised/non-stabilised).
view. Then fix the stage in position, disengage
the Bertrand lens and remove the centring aid. Lamphousing 107/2
To secure specimen slides in frame inserts, The shield connection of the lamphousing is
press the middle of the leaf spring and slide in screwed to the potential equalisation point of
the coverslip in the direction of the arrow. Clamp the 12 V 100 W power unit. This lamphousing for
the frame insert in the object guide. transmitted and incident light has a fixed 1-lens
collector and a fixed 12 V 100 W lamp.
Performance data of the incident light
fluorescence illumination*
The Leica DM IRB microscope is preferably
! n. b.

equipped with mercury or xenon gas discharge Lamphousings LH 105 have been replaced by
lamps for fluorescence applications as they lamphousings LH 106. However, they are
offer higher intensity. However, a 12 V 100 W compatible with LH 106 lamphousings and can
halogen lamp can be used as well. also be used.

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 Type Average life span

12 V 100 W halogen lamp (A.C.)

Hg ultra high pressure lamp 50 W (A.C.) 100 h
Xe high pressure lamp 75 W (D.C., stabilised) 400 h
Hg ultra high pressure lamp 100 W (D.C., stabilised/non-stabilised) 200 h
Hg ultra high pressure lamp 100 W (D.C., stabilised/non-stabilised, type 103 W/2) 300 h

Lamphousings with order nos.

Non-centrable lamphousings

LH 106 LH 107, left LH 107/2 LH 35/2

6 V/35 W 504088
12 V/100 W, 0.55 m 504 058 504086 504 080
12 V/100 W, 2.0 m 504 059
12 V/100 W, 2.0 m, 504 085
shielded

Centrable lamphousings

LH 106, right-hand op. LH 106, left-hand op.

4-lens 6-lens 6-lens

12 V/100 W, 0.55 m 507 070 504 087

12 V/100 W, 2 m 504 071
12 V/100 W, 2.9 m 504 065

Hg 100 W, with ZG 504 068 504 062

Hg 100 W, with ZG, 3 m 504 069 504 063
Hg 100 W, without ZG 504 083 504 090
Hg 50 W 504 066
Xe 75 W 504 061 504 089

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General technical data
Microscope
For indoor use only

Mains voltage: 90 250 V ~

Frequency: 50 60 Hz
Power consumption: DM IRB max. 160 W
Fuses: T4A
Ambient temperature: 10 36 C
Relative humidity: 0 80 % up to 30 C
Overvoltage category: II
Contamination class: 2

Technical data of the Leica CTR MIC

Electronics box for the Leica DM IRE2
For indoor use only

Mains voltage: 90-250 V~

Frequency: 50-60 Hz
Power consumption: 290 VA
Fuses: T 6,3 A
Ambient temperature: 10-36C
Relative humidity 0-80% up to 30C
Overvoltage category: II
Contamination class: 2

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Main wearing and spare parts, tools
Order No.
Part no. Component Used for

Spare lamps
500 974 Halogen lamp 12 V 100 W Lamphousing 105
500 137 Ultra high pressure Hg lamp 50 W Lamphousing 106 z
500 138 Ultra high pressure Hg lamp 100 W Lamphousing 106 z
500 321 Ultra high pressure Hg lamp 100 W Lamphousing 106 z
(103 W/2)
500 139 High pressure xenon lamp 75 W Lamphousing 106 z

Tools, adjustment keys

016-500.020-001 Hexagonal screwdriver Assembly and adjustment
020-434-045 2.5 mm Allen key, Assembly of heating stage and
angled, short illumination mirror

Screw cover for unoccupied nosepiece positions

020-422.570-000 Screw cover M25 Objective nosepiece

Spare eyecups (glare protection) for HC PLAN eyepiece

021-500.017-005 Eyecup HC PLAN 10x/25 eyepiece
021-264.520-018 Eyecup HC PLAN 10x/22 eyepiece
021-264.520-018 Eyecup HC PLAN 10x/20 eyepiece

Immersion oil, DIN/ISO standard, fluorescence-free

513 787 110 ml OIL and IMM objectives
513 522 100 ml and oil condenser tops
513 788 500 ml

134
EU Declaration of Conformity
We hereby declare that the product specified
below conforms in its design and construction
as well as the model we have put on the market
to the relevant safety and health regulations laid
down by the European Union.
This declaration will cease to be valid if the
instrument is modified without our consent.

Product name: DM IRB

Instrument type: Light microscope

Instrument no.: 020-525.701 to

020-525.780

EU directives: Low voltage:

73/23/EWG
Electromagnetic
compatibility:
89/336/EWG

Harmonised EN 50081-1
standards EN 50082-1
applied: EN 61010-1

Wetzlar, 18. 4. 1997

Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. M. Jaksch,

Director of Technology
and Development Engineering

135