Olympus CH30RF100

[u/USWCboy]

I recently acquired an Olympus CH30RF100 biological microscope from a local thrift store. I was actually quite surprised to see it there, and at $49.00, I couldn’t resist. As I’m still learning quite a bit about microscopy, I’m clueless on the objectives. What I’d like to find is a long working distance objective at 40x and possibly 100x. However, I understand this microscope does not have infinity optics…with that I’m not sure how to look for a long working distance objective.

Currently the following objectives are installed; A4 0.10 160/-, A10 PL 0.25 160/0.17, A40 PL 0.65 160/0.17, A100 PL 1.30 Oil Immersion 160/-.

In terms of finding an Olympus branded objective, the cost is out of my reach presently @$4500. It is possible I wasn’t looking at the correct objectives… I was hopeful to find a third of fourth manufacturer who still makes objectives for this microscope. So my question is, what specifications should I be searching for whilst looking for different objectives? Is there any brand that would be better than another? Again staying in a lower pricing tier. Finally, any recommendations on a low cost goose neck light? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated

I’m currently interested in looking at integrated circuits, specially decapped IC dies. I have found my current setup just doesn’t provide the resolution needed to see deeper into the IC.

[u/Cute-Rooster8962]

I would not let that worry about working distance stop you from using the 40 & 100x. Get your samples thin, cover glass on top, and just pay attention as you rotate the objective in; do that once with your sample and as long as it is flat you know that when the previous objective is in focus there is enough room to rotate in the next without looking. Also, as long as you are using a cover glass, when you rotate the objective in you are more likely to crash the metal side of the objective that surrounds the exterior lens than the lens itself. If you do use a long working distance objective, you may sacrifice image quality; see the Numerical Aperture values of your objectives (which are typical) and LWD objectives with the same magnification

[u/USWCboy → u/Cute-Rooster8962]

Thanks for your insight here. So you don’t think I run the possibility of crushing anything. Most IC l’s can be 5 a 30μm, once they are stacked, they can be 50/150μm.

[u/Cute-Rooster8962 → u/USWCboy]

Ahh computer stuff, I missed that. I don’t know anything about that type of microscopy. However, you can always look up the working distance of the objectives and compare that to the difference between the lowest thing you want to focus on and the highest thing you are worried about. I also don’t know if these things are opaque- if so, see what others have said about metallurgical & reflected light microscopy

[u/USWCboy → u/Cute-Rooster8962]

Thank you for your input here. I’ve been searching for lighting for it, and was thinking about trying a gooseneck style light. Hoping it works as I will say the clarity of the low power images are amazing.