You mention needing a plano-convex lens, but list in the BOM a biconvex...

[nmz787]

Here you say to use a plano-convex, but the first image shows shows a biconvex, then the second shows the plano-convex (with the ray trace):
https://github.com/OpenLabTools/OpenLabTools/wiki/Optical-Setup

But here in the BOM you show a biconvex, which doesn't have the one planar side!
https://github.com/OpenLabTools/Microscope/wiki/Microscope-Optical-Components-and-Instructions---Summer-2013

So what's the difference, and which is the better/proper one to use?

[sittinduk93]

Hi,

Yes, sorry for the disorganised state of our wiki, with 5 people working
on the project for 10 weeks we spent most of the time building and not
enough time organising our work.

The simple answer is: use biconvex as there is less collimation error.
We started using a plano-convex as they are cheaper then moved to the
biconvex once we'd proven the concept.

Current research microscopes have a special 'tube lens' which does the
same job (focussing the light from infinity) but has special coatings
etc. to prevent aberrations. A biconvex lens will do the job fairly
well, a plano-convex will also be fine as long as it is the right way
round (that's what the diagram is supposed to show).

I've made a few changes to hopefully clear this up.

Thanks,
Chris

On 23/02/2014 01:01, nmz787 wrote:

Here you say to use a plano-convex, but the first image shows shows a
biconvex, then the second shows the plano-convex (with the ray trace):
https://github.com/OpenLabTools/OpenLabTools/wiki/Optical-Setup

But here in the BOM you show a biconvex, which doesn't have the one
planar side!
https://github.com/OpenLabTools/Microscope/wiki/Microscope-Optical-Components-and-Instructions---Summer-2013

So what's the difference, and which is the better/proper one to use?

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