Quite possibly the most sophisticated and versatile Polarizing Microscopes in the world!

Designed by American and Russian engineers and built by LOMO PLC, one of Europe’s oldest and most advanced optical manufacturers, POLAM™ Series Microscopes can be configured for both research and routine applications as well as for teaching environments in any of multiple disciplines of polarized light microscopy: Analytical Chemistry, Biological Sciences and Medicine, Crystallography, Forensics, Environmental Sciences, Geology, Pharmaceuticals, Toxicology, Asbestos Analysis, etc. Priced many thousands of dollars less than any comparable product from any major microscope manufacturer, the POLAM™ Series fills a gap that exists in today’s market.

The POLAM™-L Transmitted Polarized Light Configuration of the POLAM™ family (For the Reflected Polarized Light Configuration – POLAM™-P click here) is capable of both Orthoscopic and Conoscopic studies of transparent birefringent specimens, offers the advantages of all major contrast techniques – Brightfield, Darkfield, Phase Contrast, and Dispersion Staining (Central and Annular) – and is perfectly suited for photomicrography. The POLAM™-L always delivers sharp, crisp images, setting new performance standards in transmitted polarized light microscopy (For POLAM™ photo image gallery click here).

OBSERVATION HEAD

The POLAM™-L comes standard with the HU-POL Universal Head. The 360° rotatable head features a built-in iris diaphragm, optical path selector and a vertical photo/video port. LOMO’s exclusive multilayer coating technology ensures bright, flare-free images.

BASE / STAND

The large, sturdy 200mm x 250mm tripod base with rubber feet provides maximum stability and insulates the POLAM™ from vibrations – a particular advantage for photomicrography. The base’s ergonomic design features armrests that are raised to allow easy access to all controls while the microscopist’s arms rest comfortably during the entire operation.

Rugged and stable, the “backbone” of POLAM™ Microscopes, the stand allows attachment of all the standard and optional modules and components such as stages, condensers, illuminators, intermediate module, and LOMO’s unique, rotatable Monochrometer.

FOCUSING

Smooth coaxial focusing is achieved by the POLAM’s wear-resistant ball-bearing mechanism that virtually eliminates backlash and unwanted lateral shift of the specimen during focusing. One full revolution of the large knurled knobs corresponds to 6.3mm (coarse) and 0.25mm (fine) of the stage’s vertical movement. The coarse focus has a travel range of 33mm and the fine – 2.5mm. The graduated micrometer knob allows vertical measurements accurate to 0.002 mm.

REVOLVING NOSEPIECE

The POLAM’s quintuple rotating nosepiece features a precision ball-bearing mechanism with click stops for parfocality, parcentricity and exact optical alignment, and has a wide knurled grip for easy rotation. All five objectives are independently centerable with provided wrenches.

STAGES

• Round, 360° Rotatable, Ball-bearing, Graduated Stage CT-17 POL
• Attachable Mechanical Stage CT-17

ILLUMINATOR

The variable-intensity 12V/100W Koehler halogen illumination system guarantees sharp, bright images for all contrast techniques and perfect color temperature control for photomicrography. An external power module is available for both 110 and 220 VAC operation.

CONDENSERS

Two high-performance, achromatic, strain-free condensers are available with POLAM™-L microscopes. Each includes a polarizer and comes with its own mount, thus making them easily interchangeable. Both feature a built-in aperture iris diaphragm and work effectively with the included swing-out element to provide even illumination for all objectives from 2.5x to 100x.

• CN-UPOL Universal Condenser
• CN-HPOL High Numerical Aperture Condenser

POLARIZER

Mounted under each condenser, these two high-quality glass polarizers are 360° rotatable with the scale graduated to 5°. Fully removable if necessary for optimal Brightfield observation.

OBJECTIVES

POLAM™-L features LOMO’s newest POL Series of seven strain-free Plan-Achromatic and Semi-Plan-Achromatic objectives.

EYEPIECES

Every POLAM™-L features five high performance EKW compensating eyepieces: three 10X and two 16X.

INTERMEDIATE MODULE

With this module (IM-POL) as a standard feature on every POLAM™-L, the introduction into the optical path and rotation of the analyzer, manipulation of compensators, and the changeover between Conoscopic and Orthoscopic observation methods are quick and easy. 

COMPENSATORS

Four different compensators are included with each POLAM™-L model, enhancing image contrast and allowing retardation measurements of of crystals, fibers, living organisms, etc. All sliders are DIN standard (6mm x 20mm) and fit into a slot in the Intermediate Module.

• CP-FR First Order Red Plate (539nm)
• CP-QP ¼ Plate
• CP-QS SÈnarmont Plate
• CP-QW Quartz Wedge (1 —3.5)

MONOCHROMETER (optional)

LOMO’s unique and patented Monochrometer is ideal for detemining refractive indices of liquid and other specimens.

PHOTOMICROGRAPHY / CCTV

Several interchangeable vertical adapters used with the HU-POL Universal Head on POLAM™-L microscope allow for a wide variety of photomicrographic capabilities.

• VA-F2POL Photo Tube Adapter with T-mount
• VA-V2POL C-mount Video Adapter, Focusing
• VA-E2POL Eyepiece Tube Adapter (23.2mm)

FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS OF STANDARD MODELS