Olympus SPLAN 40X Phase Contrast Objective

The Olympus SPlan 40X Phase Contrast objective (part number 1-LP154) is a high-performance Semi-Plan objective designed for the Olympus BH2 and CH2 microscope platforms. At 40X with a numerical aperture of 0.70, it delivers the resolving power needed to clearly distinguish subcellular structures — nuclei, mitochondria, vacuoles, and cytoskeletal features — all without the need for chemical fixation or staining.

Phase contrast works by converting subtle differences in optical path length (caused by variations in cell thickness and refractive index) into visible contrast differences. The SPlan series enhances this further with its Semi-Plan field correction, producing a uniformly sharp image across the full field of view rather than just the center. The NA 0.70 aperture ensures strong light throughput, which is especially valuable in live-cell imaging where minimizing illumination intensity matters.

With standard RMS threading and 160mm tube length, this objective integrates directly into any BH2 or CH2 nosepiece and is also compatible with other 160mm RMS microscopes from Olympus and other manufacturers. This unit is in excellent condition.