Magus HCM360 Device for working with the Hoffman modulation contrast, with objective set (85123)

The MAGUS HCM360 system is a complete set designed for Hoffman modulation contrast microscopy. It includes plan achromatic objectives, a dedicated condenser, and a slider. The objective modulator is aligned with the slider’s slit apertures using a centering telescope supplied with the microscope.

Hoffman modulation contrast produces high-resolution, relief-like images of living specimens. It enhances visibility and contrast while preserving fine structural detail and avoiding diffraction halos. This makes it suitable for long working distances and high numerical apertures.

The method maintains image quality when using both glass and plastic laboratory vessels. As a result, it is widely used for observing and photographing cultures, cells, and tissues grown in containers, Petri dishes, and similar vessels. One of its most common applications is in vitro fertilization (IVF), where it enables real-time observation of dynamic cellular processes and provides valuable insight into cell behavior and interactions.

Objective set

Hoffman objectives differ from standard objectives by incorporating an amplitude spatial filter, known as a modulator, in the back focal plane. The modulator consists of three zones: a dark zone transmitting 1% of the light, a gray zone transmitting 15%, and a transparent zone transmitting 100%. A rotating ring on the objective allows the modulator to be positioned correctly for operation.

Unlike phase contrast objectives, where a phase ring alters the phase of light, the Hoffman modulator affects only light intensity. This creates an image with a pseudo-relief appearance.

The plan achromatic Hoffman objectives provide uniform focus from the center to the edges of the field, resulting in minimal distortion. Chromatic aberration is corrected for blue and red wavelengths, spherical aberration is corrected for green, and field curvature is corrected over 90% of the field of view. These objectives are suitable for use with dishes having a bottom thickness of 1.2 mm. They are designed for infinity-corrected systems and have a parfocal distance of 60 mm.

Hoffman condenser

The Hoffman condenser replaces the standard brightfield condenser. It features a slot for the Hoffman modulation contrast slider, an aperture diaphragm, and a polarizer that controls the slit opening. The polarizer can be rotated through 360 degrees using the rotating ring located above the aperture control.

Hoffman slider

The Hoffman slider is inserted into the slot of the Hoffman condenser. It is a plate containing three circular inserts corresponding to 10x, 20x, and 40x objectives. Each insert is marked to match the appropriate objective. Every insert includes two slits: one open and one fitted with a polarizer. The inserts are both centerable and rotatable through 360 degrees.

Microscope adjustment for Hoffman modulation contrast

First, install the Hoffman condenser and Hoffman objectives on the microscope.
Next, focus the selected objective on the specimen using brightfield illumination.
Insert the Hoffman slider into the condenser slot and choose the insert that matches the objective magnification. Ensure that the condenser aperture is fully open.
Remove one eyepiece from the microscope head and replace it with the centering telescope from the microscope kit. Use the telescope to align the objective modulator with the slider slits. The modulator zones and slits should be parallel, with one slit projected into the gray zone and the other into the transparent zone. If the objective ring does not allow sufficient adjustment, remove the slider, rotate the insert with the slit, reinstall the slider, and repeat the alignment.
Rotate the condenser to control the slit aperture in the transparent zone. The slit can be fully open, partially closed, or completely blocked.
To return to brightfield observation, remove the Hoffman slider from the condenser. The Hoffman objectives and condenser can remain in place, as they are suitable for brightfield use. However, for optimal brightfield image quality, the use of MAGUS 10PL60V, 20PL60V, and 40PL60V objectives along with the standard condenser supplied with the microscope is recommended.

Compatibility

The system is compatible with the MAGUS Bio V360 biological inverted microscope.

Package contents

The package includes a MAGUS Hoffman condenser with numerical aperture 0.5 and working distance 45 mm. It also includes infinity-corrected plan achromatic Hoffman objectives: 10x/0.25, 20x/0.40, and 40x/0.60, each designed for a 1.2 mm dish bottom and a 60 mm parfocal distance. A Hoffman slider for 10x, 20x, and 40x objectives is also included.

Specifications

Product ID: 85123
Brand: MAGUS
Warranty: 2 years
EAN: 5905555025773
Package dimensions (L × W × H): 10 × 10 × 10 cm