Olympus
BX 51
Provisional entry — research in progress
This page was generated automatically from cited public sources and hasn't completed the full research pass yet. Every specification shown carries its source; more detail is added as research completes.
What it is
The Olympus BX51 is a system microscope designed for research applications in life sciences and materials science. The BX51 supports transmitted-light and reflected-light observation modes, including brightfield, darkfield, fluorescence, phase contrast, differential interference contrast, and polarized light microscopy. The BX51 is part of the Olympus BX2 series and utilizes the UIS2 optical system for improved fluorescence performance and image quality across a wavelength range from ultraviolet to near-infrared.[3][4][5]
How it works
The Olympus BX51 can be configured with up to two intermediate attachments, such as a magnification changer or eyepoint adjuster. The microscope base houses controls for brightness adjustment, a light path selector knob, and a filter cassette or single-filter mount for 45 mm diameter filters. The brightness adjustment knob controls lamp voltage, with numerals next to LED indicators showing the voltage level.[1][2]
For fluorescence microscopy, the BX51 uses a mercury lamp housed in a separate power supply with a minimum warm-up and cool-down period. A filter cube changer with positions for brightfield, darkfield, and up to four fluorescence filter cubes selects the excitation and emission wavelengths. A reflected light analyzer and a polarizer can be engaged for polarized light and DIC observation. An optional neutral density filter is used for brightfield imaging and is removed when using fluorescence, darkfield, or polarized light modes.[5][4]
Applications
The Olympus BX51 is used for brightfield microscopy in transmission and epi modes, darkfield microscopy in epi mode, fluorescence microscopy in epi mode, and polarization microscopy in both epi and transmission modes. Fluorescence applications include observation of specimens stained with fluorophores such as ECFP, EGFP, EYFP, and DsRed, using mirror units optimized for those dyes. The BX51 can also perform time-lapse imaging and digital photography through an attached camera.[5][3]
Why won't it start?
Documented failure modes, common issues, and field considerations.
- Objective lens may become dirty from contact with specimen, leading to focusing difficulty with x40 and x100 objectives (source: https://www.chem.purdue.edu/ric/docs/Olympus-BX-51-handout.pdf)
- Mercury lamp near end of lifetime may be harder to start or fail to start (source: https://www.chem.purdue.edu/ric/docs/Olympus-BX-51-handout.pdf)
What do the numbers mean?
Power & electrical3
- Transmitted light bulb
- 12V 100W long-life halogen bulb (pre-centered) 12V100WHAL-L (PHILIPS 5761) or 12V 50W long-life halogen bulb 12V50WHAL-L (LIFE JC)[1]
Optics & imaging2
Control & software1
- Stage type
- Ceramic-coated coaxial stage with left or right hand low drive control, with rotating mechanism and torque adjustment[3]
Dimensions & facilities1
Configuration & options5
Vintage & configurations
Documented models & variants
| Designation | Generation | Vintage | Changes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BX52 | — | — | Similar to BX51 but part of same manual; appears in manual for BX51/BX52 system microscopes | manualslib.com[1] |
| BX51TF | — | — | Transmitted light specification model of BX51 microscope frame | manualslib.com[1] |
| BX51TRF | — | — | Transmitted light/reflected light specification model with additional reflected light system | manualslib.com[1] |
| BX52TF | — | — | Transmitted light specification model of BX52 | manualslib.com[2] |
| BX52TRF | — | — | Transmitted/reflected light specification model of BX52 | manualslib.com[2] |
| BX61 | — | — | Motorized system microscope with motorized focus, revolving nosepiece, and fluorescence illuminator | microscopy.uk.com[3] |
What does it need to run?
Site utility requirements, footprint, and infrastructure needed to install and operate this tool. Sourced from public records.
Where are the manuals?
Generated from public-source data on file. Enter your email to access — nothing is published; details are routed privately.
Not publicly documented
Field notes
No research found yet — worked with this tool? Share what you know.
Frequently asked questions
What type of light sources are used with the BX51?
The BX51 can be equipped with halogen lamps, mercury lamps, xenon lamps, and metal halide lamps. The microscope has two tungsten lamps for transmission and epi microscopy and a mercury lamp for fluorescence microscopy.[5][3]
How many filter cube positions does the BX51 fluorescence illuminator have?
The filter cube changer has a total of 6 positions. Five of those are permanently occupied by brightfield, darkfield, and three fluorescence filter cubes, with the sixth position open for user-specific filters.[5]
What is the interpupillary distance adjustment used for?
The interpupillary distance adjustment is used while looking through the eyepieces to adjust for binocular vision so that the left and right fields of view coincide completely.[1]
Not publicly documented
The following facts about the BX 51 are absent from this record as of this revision. First-hand knowledge or a citation closes a gap; every submission is reviewed before publication.
No publicly documented production dates or lifecycle milestones (introduction, end of production, EOL) for the BX 51 are on record.
Answerable by: OEM historical records or a trade-press announcement
The control-system platform and OS era of the BX 51 are not on record.
Answerable by: an engineer who operated it or OEM installation records
The process node or technology generation of the BX 51 is not on record.
Answerable by: an OEM datasheet or a fab qualification report
No publicly documented compatible parts, consumables, or accessories for the BX 51 are on record.
Answerable by: an OEM parts catalog or a service engineer
No publicly hosted manuals, SOPs, or datasheets for the BX 51 are on record.
Answerable by: university cleanroom staff or an OEM application specialist
Sources & citations
Sources (6)Every fact above is drawn from these public sources
- [1]manualslib.com — manualslib.commanualslib.com
- [2]manualslib.com — manualslib.commanualslib.com
- [3]microscopy.uk.com — microscopy.uk.commicroscopy.uk.com
- [4]https://arf.berkeley.edu/files/attachments/equipment/OlympusBX51.pdf — arf.berkeley.eduarf.berkeley.edu
- [5]https://www.chem.purdue.edu/ric/docs/Olympus-BX-51-handout.pdf — chem.purdue.educhem.purdue.edu
- [6]Equipment inventory listing
Last updated Sep 29, 2026.
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