Olympus History

Inverted metallurgical microscope (1954)

The design of current inverted metallurgical microscopes originated in the PMF microscope launched in 1954. Before the Second World War, Olympus marketed the PMC, PMD, and PME as metallurgical microscopes. However, these microscopes with horizontal optical axes and large-format dry plates as photosensitive materials during photography were not said to be particularly easy to use.
The PMF incorporated the following features:

· Easier observations as a horizontal surface is made simply by placing the the sample (polished metal surface) on the stage.
· Minimal camera shake as the camera equipment is in a low position on an inverted microscope.
· More comfortable operation as all the operational handles are located in easy-to-use positions.
· Easier phase contrast and polarization microscopy through the use of phase and polarizing plates.
· Compact and easy-to-use microscope with built-in light source.

Olympus then built on the PMF features to develop its inverted metallurgical microscopes further for research applications in metal surface observations or composition and research on ceramics, plastics, and other new materials.
In 1956, Olympus launched the ME Standard Inverted Microscope. The company then launched the high-performance PMG in 1964, featuring an internal photographic light meter, followed by the PME in 1967.

GX Series (2001)

The PMG2, PMG3, and PME3, which were developed out of the PMF, were then combined with the cutting-edge UIS optical system (infinity correction) to produce the GX Series.
Olympus launched the GX71/51 Series in 2001. The use of UIS optics resulted in bright, high-resolution imaging. With this series, a microscope system could be built to meet specific research objectives by combining various image-recording devices, such as a digital camera, film camera (large format or 35mm film), or video camera. This inverted metallurgical microscope series provided optimal optical performance for all imaging, including observations, digital imaging, and photographic film images. The GX41, launched in 2004, produced bright, high-resolution images, while providing excellent cost performance. This compact inverted metallurgical microscope featured UIS optics and was designed for testing metal samples, electronic components, or automotive parts.

Inverted biological microscope (1958)

The inverted biological microscope was developed for observations of living cells (cultured cells). Cells targeted for observation are cultured in a Carrel flask or Petri dish. Therefore, the use of conventional upright microscopes presents a number of problems, such as the objective lens dipping into the culture fluid, limitations on the specimen vessel used, difficulties in adjusting the phase contrast, and the image getting out of focus when observed over long time periods. The inverted biological microscope (tissue culture microscope) was developed to resolve such problems. The basic optical system used technology already developed for inverted metallurgical microscopes. Olympus launched the PMB in 1958 and the simplified CK in 1966. Thereafter, Olympus used UIS optics to develop the IX Series, which is still in use today.

IX Series (1994)

Like the AX Series, the IX Series of inverted microscopes (IX50/IX70) was launched in 1994. Olympus then released the MX Series in 1995 and the CX Series in 1997.
The company subsequently made further developments by incorporating the UIS2 objective lens, releasing the PowerBX and PowerIX microscopes.