With its origins in Nikon's semiconductor manufacturing technology, Nano Crystal Coat is an anti-reflective coating that assimilates ultra-fine crystallized particles the size of a nanometer. Arranging the particles in a spongy construction with uniform spaces between them, this coarse structure enables lower refractive indices, facilitating the passage of light through the lens. These crystallized particles eliminate reflections inside the lens throughout the spectrum of visible light waves in ways that far exceed the limits of conventional anti-reflective coating systems. Nano Crystal Coat eliminates ghost effects caused by red light, and effectively reduces  flare effects caused by light entering the lens at an angle.

By incorporating Nikon’s leading optical technologies and Nano Crystal Coat, the objectives have dramatically increased transmission rates throughout the entire visible range, from UV to near infrared. CFI Plan Apochromat λ objectives minimize the possibility of damage to live cells and enable long term imaging thanks to their ability to image  by maximizing brightness with minimum excitation intensity.

Chromatic aberrations are corrected over a wide wavelength range, extending from 435nm to 850nm, so crystal clear images are captured during multi-wavelength imaging.  By correcting the focus shift for all wavelengths,  the focus point is maintained when switching between dyes. More reliable intensity data for each color can be acquired when visualizing the structure and functions of a living specimen using multiple fluorescence proteins in confocal spectral imaging.

Unprecedented high resolution with a high NA (Numerical Aperture) can be achieved at any magnification. The CFI Plan Apochromat λ 100x oil objective has an incredibly high NA of 1.45, enabling the capture of sharp, crystal clear images of minute structures. Moreover, the exceptional brightness of these lenses minimizes the excitation light to reduce the effects  of photobleaching.

Image flatness is maintained across the entire field of view for all objectives from low to high magnifications because of Nikon’s outstanding optical design technology.

Searching for and confirming the observation point is difficult with conventional objectives that have an obtuse lens top. There is always a risk that  part of the lens could touch the specimen. The CFI Plan Apo λ series objectives have a more acute top lens design, offering more clearance around the lens top and making them less likely to interfere with the research and sample.