Most microscopy systems are limited by their depth of focus. This means that it is necessary to keep samples within an objective’s focal range for the entirety of the imaging or inspection processes. Unfortunately, external factors such as thermal drift and the exchange of magnification lenses can cause samples to lose focus. Manual refocusing is often time consuming and impractical, limiting the performance of what are typically automatic microscopy systems. The solution is to use an autofocus system.

With the use of an autofocus system, a certain focus point can be quickly acquired and automatically readjusted with long term stability.

Autofocus technology is becoming more and more common in the fields of:

  • Surface roughness inspection
  • Quality control in processes for printed circuit technology
  • Laser beam welding
  • Laser beam scribing
  • Microbiological research
  • Super-resolution microscopy
  • Satellite imaging

High quality autofocus systems are time-saving and they can improve the quality and speed of image acquisition significantly.

MIPOS objective positioners from piezosystem jena offer up to 600 microns of travel in the z-axis, while accommodating lenses from major manufacturers (Zeiss, Nikon, Leica, Olympus etc.) These, in combination with a user defined feedback control, can be used to stabilize and maintain focus on a sample.

A wide variety of stages with up to 5-axes of motion are also offered. Such stages can be used to precisely position samples so they remain in focus.

Autofocus technology is used across many industries

Focal Point (Boise,ID) integrated MIPOS products into their autofocus systems. The combination of both products offers high speed focus acquisition, long term stability, and extraordinary accuracy within few nanometers.

“ We fill a need in the market right now for very robust systems insensitive to tilt and diffraction effects often common in industrial settings, and we will be releasing even more dramatic improvements in focus measurement and control technology in the future—stay tuned for exciting new developments .”, Dan Marshall, CTO of Focal Point.