Olympus BX3M-RLA-S Reflected Light Illuminator

The Olympus BX3M-RLA-S is a compact reflected light illuminator for the Olympus BX3 series of upright research and industrial microscopes, including the BX43, BX53, and BX63. It delivers epi-illumination — directing light through the objective onto the specimen surface and collecting the reflected light back through the same objective — in both brightfield and darkfield modes. Brightfield reflected light is the standard mode for opaque specimen observation, while darkfield reflected light blocks the direct beam and collects only obliquely scattered light, revealing surface defects, grain boundaries, and fine topographic features with high contrast against a dark background. The illuminator includes multiple positions for mirror cubes and filter slots compatible with Nomarski DIC prisms and polarized light accessories, making it a versatile platform for life science, industrial, and materials science applications. An optional control box enables full electronic control of the mirror cube positions. Built to Olympus factory specifications, the BX3M-RLA-S ensures precise optical alignment and consistent illumination performance across all operating modes.