This is description of this part:
Iris diaphragm module for Carl Zeiss Jena Nf, NU and NU-2 microscopes.
In the following microscopes:
- Carl Zeiss Jena Nf
- Carl Zeiss Jena NU and NU-2
this module serves as the aperture diaphragm. The field diaphragm is built into the illumination path inside the microscope base.
At the same time, it provides a holder for 32 mm round filters. The video available in the gallery also demonstrates how a filter is inserted into this holder.
The sliding iris diaphragm mounted beneath the microscope condenser allows oblique illumination to be set, producing a three-dimensional image with enhanced contrast of transparent specimens (such as unstained cells). The resulting image is similar to differential interference contrast (DIC).
This component is known under various names, including:
- decenterable iris diaphragm
- decentering aperture diaphragm
- off-axis iris diaphragm
- eccentric iris diaphragm
- sliding iris diaphragm
- sliding iris
- oblique illumination condenser
- condenser with sliding iris
- oblique illumination module
- oblique illumination diaphragm
- offset iris
- Poor Man's DIC device
Note — this diaphragm DOES NOT FIT the Carl Zeiss Jena Lumipan microscope, even though it appears very similar at first glance.
Because this module is removable, it is missing from a large proportion of microscopes available on the second-hand market. During decades of use, these diaphragm modules were frequently lost.
In addition, they are often damaged and need replacement. The most common failures include:
- the protective glass covering the diaphragm becomes scratched or broken
- the diaphragm blades become bent or broken
- the screw used to decenter the diaphragm bends or breaks
- the return spring responsible for restoring the diaphragm to its centred position becomes damaged or is missing
Replacing the damaged assembly with the diaphragm module offered here solves these problems.
What is this part needed for?
- if this component is missing from your Carl Zeiss Jena microscope
- if you already have such an iris diaphragm but it is damaged and needs replacement
