ISO 8255-1:2011

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 8255-1
Second edition
2011-04-15
Microscopes — Cover glasses —
Part 1:
Dimensional tolerances, thickness and
optical properties
Microscopes — Lamelles couvre-objet —
Partie 1: Tolérances dimensionnelles, épaisseur et propriétés optiques

Reference number
©
ISO 2011
©  ISO 2011
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Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 8255-1 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 172, Optics and photonics, Subcommittee SC 5,
Microscopes and endoscopes.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 8255-1:1986), which has been technically
revised.
ISO 8255 consists of the following parts, under the general title Microscopes — Cover glasses:
⎯ Part 1: Dimensional tolerances, thickness and optical properties
⎯ Part 2: Quality of materials, standards of finish and mode of packaging
Introduction
This part of ISO 8255 defines dimensions and specifies optical quality requirements in order to guarantee the
quality of observation.
The data given in this part of ISO 8255 are applicable to most products in use and have been adapted to take
into account the relevant national standards in vigour.
This part of ISO 8255 contains requirements for dimensional tolerances, thickness and optical properties,
whereas quality requirements and test methods related to the material are dealt with in ISO 8255-2.

iv © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 8255-1:2011(E)

Microscopes — Cover glasses —
Part 1:
Dimensional tolerances, thickness and optical properties
1 Scope
This part of ISO 8255 specifies requirements for dimensional tolerances, thickness and optical properties for
microscope cover glasses used for transmitted light microscopy in the visible spectral range (400 nm to
760 nm).
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 8036, Optics and photonics — Microscopes — Immersion liquids for light microscopy
3 Requirements
3.1 General
All media that are located between the specimen and the microscope objective are in their optical effect part
of the objective. Such media are usually cover glasses and immersion media. Immersion media are defined in
ISO 8036; their refractive index shall be taken into account for the selection of the cover glass.
Microscope objectives, unless equipped with correction collars, are designed for a specific immersion medium
(e.g. air, oil or water) and cover glass thickness. The design thickness is t = 0,17 mm, unless otherwise
marked on the objective.
When using microscope objectives with high numerical aperture, deviations from the nominal cover glass
thickness leads to severe optical aberrations, mainly spherical aberr
...