Leica HCS Objectives
Harmony of technology and application
The plan apochromat objectives are the optical top performers of a microscope range. Whereas they used to be chosen primarily for their high resolution and particularly good chromatic correction in the visual range, they are nowadays also expected to deliver high contrast, field correction, UV-A transmission and chromatic correction in the UV-A and NI.
The consistent use of state-of-the-art computer technology in R&D, production and testing was necessary for this step. With improved correction algorithms and new simulation programs, advanced manufacturing technology with computer-aided assembly processes and automatic interferometric testing it was possible to design top-quality objectives verging on the theoretical limits of performance in terms of resolution, contrast and field flattening.