661Equipping the Nikon Eclipse L200/L300 semiconductor inspection microscope with modern camera technology using LM adapter solutions
Modern digital cameras seamlessly integrate with the Nikon Eclipse L200 and L300 microscopes. Our LM adapter solutions, featuring premium-quality optics, connect an extensive range of digital cameras, such as mirrorless system cameras, digital SLR cameras, dedicated microscope cameras, C-mount cameras or high-speed cameras, to your microscope – fast and hassle-free.
The Nikon Eclipse L200N(D) and L300N(D) are robust reflected-light microscopes primarily used for industrial applications, particularly for defect detection and quality control in the semiconductor and electronics industries. Applications are centred around inspections of large components like wafers, photovoltaic devices and micro electro mechanical systems, such as those used in smartphones. The model names reflect the size of the wafers they can accommodate: L300N for 300 mm diameter wafers and L200N for 200 mm diameter wafers. However, their modular design makes these microscopes perfectly adaptable for a variety of other applications. When paired with modern digital cameras with interchangeable lens mounts and our LM adapter solutions, even the smallest imperfections can be captured in exceptional quality.
The Nikon Eclipse series microscopes support the following observation methods: brightfield, darkfield, simple polarisation, DIC, epi-fluorescence and two-beam interferometry. They can also be equipped with an optional transmitted light module (L200ND and L300ND) for working with transparent substrates using brightfield, darkfield, polarisation, DIC and phase contrast methods.
The infinity-corrected objectives of the Nikon CFI60-2 series can be centred and are optimally suited for these microscopes. They are housed in the reverse-facing 6-position nosepiece. Nikon offers a wide range of high-quality objectives:
- Plan Fluor EPI brightfield/darkfield (5x–100x)
- Plan EPI ELWD brightfield/darkfield (20x–100x)
- Plan EPI brightfield (1x–2.5x)
- Plan Apo brightfield/darkfield (50x–150x)
- CFI L Plan EPI CR (20x–50x) with correction mechanism
The largest working distance of 19 mm is achieved with the 20x Plan EPI ELWD objective. Both halogen and LED lighting is available as modern illumination alternatives.
For inspecting wafers (the foundation for microchips, sensors, and many other microelectronic components), the microscope can be further equipped with additional elements, such as a wafer loader.
Like all Nikon’s Eclipse models, the L200 and L300 are also equipped with a phototube. Standard models include the L2-TTA, L2-TT2A or LV-TI3 trinocular tube, which features adjustable eyepiece viewing angles (ergo tube), providing an upright and unreversed image for correct sample observation.
Nikon L2-TT2A and Nikon LV_TI3
Nikon recommends its proprietary C-mount cameras (Digital Sight 1000, DS-Fi3 and Digital Sight 10), which can be controlled with Nikon’s NIS-Elements software. This image processing software captures the images of a sample together with microscope data on the objective lens used, magnification setting, aperture setting and light intensity.
The microscope also accommodates modern digital cameras with large sensors, such as the latest system cameras, digital SLRs, dedicated microscope cameras or high-speed cameras. This is where our LM adapter solutions with integrated precision optics step in. They are optimised for the sensor size of the respective camera and thus provide a high level of flexibility. We offer different adapter options, depending on the specific requirements and the accessories already available.
- If you already have a Nikon LV-TV intermediate tube and a video adapter A-connector, our high-quality LM adapter with C-mount connection can be attached to it.
- If no LV-TV tube is available, we also offer a direct adapter specifically designed for phototubes with this dimension (slightly less than 39 mm), which features a short, compact design.
For scenarios where there is no phototube at all, or the phototube cannot be used, we have an adapter for attaching the camera to the eyepiece tube in our product line. It works by removing one eyepiece and putting the camera-adapter combination into its place. The image quality is as good as that achieved using the phototube version.
If you are still looking for a camera that is right for you, you will find comprehensive information on the page with our current camera recommendations. We are also happy to provide personalised advice, so please do not hesitate to contact us.
Photography:
Fitting the microscope to digital single-lens reflex (DSLR), mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras (MILC ), digital single-lens mirrorless (DSLM) or C-mount cameras is easy with our LM digital SLR adapters, which feature a plan achromatic optical system. Our products make it possible to capture top-quality microscope images. To help you select the adapter that is right for your camera, we have set up an online configurator on our website. You can also email us – ideally with attached photographs of your microscope.
Modern DSLR and single-lens mirrorless (DSLM) offer the latest technology and are generally very well suited for microscopy applications. Most of them can be controlled remotely via PC/Mac. Because of their high sales volumes, they offer an excellent price/performance ratio compared to special-purpose microscope cameras.
Features of top DSLR and single-lens mirrorless cameras (DSLM):
- Large, powerful full-frame sensors (36 x 24 mm)
- Sensor resolution of 61 megapixels or 240 megapixels with Pixel Shift technology
- High light sensitivity (ISO 400,000+)
- Extensive dynamic range (up to 15 aperture stops/f-stops)
- Short exposure times (1/8000 second) up to 1/32,000 seconds using the digital shutter
- 4K Ultra HD or 8K Ultra HD video function
- Live video capture on external monitors in ultra HD quality
In most cases, these cameras are significantly more powerful than microscope cameras with smaller sensors (1/2" or 2/3"). On our website you will find our current camera recommendations and a camera ranking which is specifically tailored to microscopy applications.