Adapters for Cerna® Microscopes

- Adapters for Epi-Illumination, Camera, Trinocular, Eyepiece, and Condenser Ports
- Customize Cerna Microscopes Using Thorlabs' Optomechanical Components
SM1A58
Camera Port Adapter
CSA1003
Trinocular Port Adapter
SM2A56
Epi-Illumination
Module Adapter
LCPN1
Condenser Port
Adapter
SM2N2
Eyepiece Adapter
Application Idea
SM2A56 Epi-Illumination Module Adapter Used to Mount a Solis® High-Power LED to an Epi-Illumination Module on a Cerna Microscope

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Click on Each Port to View Available Adapters
Features
- Extends Versatility of Thorlabs' Construction Systems to Cerna® Microscopes
- Provides Compatibility with SM1 (1.035"-40) Lens Tubes, SM30 (M30.5 x 0.5) Lens Tubes, SM2 (2.035"-40) Lens Tubes, and 30 mm and 60 mm Cage Systems
- Contact Tech Support About Custom Adapters, Including for Other Microscopes
Trinocular Port Adapters
These adapters integrate the Cerna platform with Thorlabs' 30 mm and 60 mm cage construction systems, making them ideal for creating custom widefield viewing and epi-illumination apparatuses.
Camera Port Adapter
The SM1A58 adapter is designed to allow components with SM1 threading, SM2 threading, or 30 mm cage system compatibility to be mounted to the camera port. This adapter is ideal for inserting custom optics, as well as our scientific cameras, into brightfield and fluorescence microscope systems.
Condenser Port Adapters
These condenser adapters connect to the condenser holder, allowing DIY light conditioning setups to be integrated into a Cerna microscope.
Epi-Illumination Module Adapter
The SM2A56 adapter allows a collimated illumination source to attach to the epi-illumination module of a Cerna microscope.
Eyepiece Adapter
The SM2N2 adapter replaces the lens element on an eyepiece of the Cerna microscope's trinoculars, allowing custom-built optical detection systems to attach to either eyepiece on the trinoculars.
Note: Thorlabs does not guarantee compatibility with other industry-standard microscopes not mentioned on this wepage.
Adapters for Industry Standard Microscopes |
---|
Cerna DIY Series |
Leica DMI |
Nikon Eclipse Ti (Inverted) |
Nikon Eclipse Ti2 (Inverted) |
Upright Nikon Eclipse |
Olympus BX and IX |
Zeiss Axioskop and Examiner |
Thorlabs Dovetail Referencea | |||
---|---|---|---|
Type | Shape | Outer Dimension | Angle |
95 mm | Linear | 95 mm | 45° |
D1N | Circular | Ø2.018" | 60° |
D2Nb | Circular | Ø1.50" | 90° |
D2NBb | Circular | Ø1.50" | 90° |
D3N | Circular | Ø45 mm | 70° |
D5N | Circular | Ø1.58" | 90° |
D6N | Circular | Ø1.90" | 90° |
D7N | Circular | Ø2.05" | 90° |
D1T | Circular | Ø1.50" | 60° |
D3T | Circular | Ø1.65" | 90° |
D1Y | Circular | Ø107 mm | 60° |
D2Y | Circular | Ø2.32" | 50° |
D3Y | Circular | Ø1.75" | 90° |
D4Y | Circular | Ø56 mm | 60° |
D5Y | Circular | Ø46 mm | 60° |
D6Y | Circular | Ø41.9 mm | 45° |
D1Z | Circular | Ø54 mm | 60° |
D2Z | Circular | Ø57 mm | 60° |
D3Z | Circular | Ø54 mm | 45° |

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This photo shows the male D1N dovetail on the trinoculars next to the female D1N dovetail on the epi-illumination arm.

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This photo shows the male 95 mm dovetail on the microscope body and the female 95 mm dovetail on the CSA1002 Fixed Arm.
Introduction to Microscope Dovetails
Dovetails are used for mechanical mating and optical port alignment of microscope components. Components are connected by inserting one dovetail into another, then tightening one or more locking setscrews on the female dovetail. Dovetails come in two shapes: linear and circular. Linear dovetails allow the mating components to slide before being locked down, providing flexible positioning options while limiting unneeded degrees of freedom. Circular dovetails align optical ports on different components, maintaining a single optical axis with minimal user intervention.
Thorlabs manufactures many components which use dovetails to mate with our own components or those of other manufacturers. To make it easier to identify dovetail compatibility, we have developed a set of dovetail designations. The naming convention of these designations is used only by Thorlabs and not other microscope manufacturers. The table to the right lists all the dovetails Thorlabs makes, along with their key dimensions.
In the case of Thorlabs’ Cerna® microscopes, different dovetail types are used on different sections of the microscope to ensure that only compatible components can be mated. For example, our WFA2002 Epi-Illuminator Module has a male D1N dovetail that mates with the female D1N dovetail on the microscope body's epi-illumination arm, while the CSS2001 XY Microscopy Stage has a female D1Y dovetail that mates with the male D1Y dovetail on the CSA1051 Mounting Arm.
To learn which dovetail type(s) are on a particular component, consult its mechanical drawing, available by clicking on the red Docs icon () below. For adapters with a female dovetail, the drawing also indicates the size of the hex key needed for the locking setscrew(s). It is important to note that mechanical compatibility does not ensure optical compatibility. Information on optical compatibility is available from Thorlabs' web presentations.
For customers interested in machining their own dovetails, the table to the right gives the outer diameter and angle (as defined by the drawings below) of each Thorlabs dovetail designation. However, the dovetail's height must be determined by the user, and for circular dovetails, the user must also determine the inner diameter and bore diameter. These quantities can vary for dovetails of the same type. One can use the intended mating part to verify compatibility.
In order to reduce wear and simplify connections, dovetails are often machined with chamfers, recesses, and other mechanical features. Some examples of these variations are shown by the drawings below.

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Two examples of how circular male dovetails can be manufactured.

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Two examples of how circular female dovetails can be manufactured.
Standard Mechanical Interfaces on DIY Cerna® Components
The table below gives the dovetail, optical component threads, and cage system interfaces that are present on each DIY Cerna component. If a DIY Cerna component does not have one of the standard interfaces in the table, it is not listed here. Please note that mechanical compatibility does not ensure optical compatibility. Information on optical compatibility is available from Thorlabs' web presentations.
Item # | Microscope Dovetails | Optical Component Threadsa | Cage Systemsb | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
95 mm | D1N | D2N | D2NB | D3N | D5N | D1T | D3T | D1Y | D5Y | Internal | External | ||
2CM1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | SM1c (1.035"-40) and SM2d (2.035"-40) | SM1c (1.035"-40) | 60 mmd |
2CM2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | SM1c (1.035"-40) and SM2d (2.035"-40) | SM1c (1.035"-40) | 30 mmc |
BSA2000e | - | - | - | - | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
CEA1350 | Male | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 60 mmd |
CEA1400 | Male | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 60 mmd |
CEA1500 | Male | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 60 mmd |
CEA1600 | Male | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 60 mmd |
CFB1500 | Male | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
CSA1000 | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
CSA1001 | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | SM1c (1.035"-40) | - | 30 mmc |
CSA1002 | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | SM2d (2.035"-40) | - | 60 mmd |
CSA1003 | - | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 60 mmd |
CSA1051 | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Male | - | - | - | - |
CSA1200e,f | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 60 mmd |
CSA1400e | - | - | - | - | - | - | Female | - | - | - | - | - | 60 mmd |
CSA1500e,g | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
CSA2000e | - | - | - | - | Female | - | - | - | - | - | SM2d (2.035"-40) | - | 60 mmd |
CSA2001 | - | - | - | - | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | SM2d (2.035"-40) | - |
CSA2100e | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | SM2d (2.035"-40) | - | 60 mmd |
CSA3000(/M) | - | Male | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
CSA3010(/M) | - | Male | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 30 mmc and 60 mmd |
Item # | 95 mm | D1N | D2N | D2NB | D3N | D5N | D1T | D3T | D1Y | D5Y | Internal | External | Cage Systems |
CSC1001 | - | - | - | - | Male | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
CSC1002 | - | - | - | - | Male | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
CSC2001 | - | - | - | - | Male | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
CSD1001 | - | Male & Female | - | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
CSD1002 | - | Male & Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | C-Mounth | - |
CSE2000 | - | Male & Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 60 mmd |
CSE2100 | - | Male & Female | - | - | - | - | - | Female | - | - | SM1c (1.035"-40) | - | 30 mmc and 60 mmd |
CSE2200 | - | Male & Female | - | - | - | - | - | Female | - | - | SM1c (1.035"-40) | - | 30 mmc and 60 mmd |
CSN100e | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | M32 x 0.75 | - | 60 mmd |
CSNK10 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | M32 x 0.75 | - | 60 mmd |
CSNK100e | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | M32 x 0.75 | - | 60 mmd |
CSN200 | - | - | - | - | - | - | Male | - | - | - | M32 x 0.75 | - | - |
CSN210 | - | - | - | - | - | - | Male | - | - | - | M32 x 0.75 | - | - |
CSN1201f | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | M32 x 0.75 | - | - |
CSN1202f | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | M25 x 0.75 | - | - |
CSS2001 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Female | - | - | - | - |
LAURE1 | - | Male | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
LAURE2 | - | Male | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
LCPN1 | - | - | - | - | Male | - | - | - | - | - | SM30 (M30.5 x 0.5) | - | 30 mmc and 60 mmd |
LCPN2 | - | Male | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | SM30 (M30.5 x 0.5) | - | 30 mmc and 60 mmd |
LCPN3 | - | Male | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Female | SM30 (M30.5 x 0.5) | - | 60 mmd |
Item # | 95 mm | D1N | D2N | D2NB | D3N | D5N | D1T | D3T | D1Y | D5Y | Internal | External | Cage Systems |
OPX2400(/M) | - | Male & Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | SM2d (2.035"-40) | - | 60 mmd |
SM1A70 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | SM30 (M30.5 x 0.5) | SM1c (1.035"-40) | - |
SM1A58 | - | - | Male | Male | - | - | - | - | - | - | SM1c (1.035"-40) | SM2d (2.035"-40) | 30 mmc |
SM2A56 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Male | - | - | - | SM2d (2.035"-40) | - |
TC1X | - | - | Male | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
WFA0150 | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
WFA1000 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 30 mmc |
WFA1010 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | SM1c (1.035"-40) | - | 30 mmc |
WFA1020 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | SM1c (1.035"-40) | - | 30 mmc |
WFA1051 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | SM1c (1.035"-40) | - | 30 mmc |
WFA1100 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 30 mmc |
WFA2001 | - | Male & Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | SM1c (1.035"-40) | SM1c (1.035"-40) | - |
WFA2002 | - | Male & Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | SM1c (1.035"-40) | - | 30 mmc |
WFA4100 | - | Male | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | SM1c (1.035"-40) | C-Mounth | - |
WFA4101 | - | Male | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | SM1c (1.035"-40) | C-Mounth | - |
WFA4102 | - | Male | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | SM1c (1.035"-40) | C-Mounth | - |
WFA4111 | - | Male | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | SM2d (2.035"-40) | - |
WFA4112 | - | - | - | Male | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | C-Mounth | - |
Item # | 95 mm | D1N | D2N | D2NB | D3N | D5N | D1T | D3T | D1Y | D5Y | Internal | External | Cage Systems |
Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
XT95P12(/M) | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
ZFM1020 | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
ZFM1030 | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
ZFM2020 | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
ZFM2030 | Female | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
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Here, our WFA4111 D1N Adapter is being used to support an SM2 lens tube that contains user-selected optics for forming an image on a Scientific Camera.

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In this photo, the CSA1003 D1N Adapter is connecting a 60 mm cage system to a WFA2002 Epi-Illuminator Module.
- Extend Versatility of Thorlabs' Lens Tube and Cage Construction Systems to Cerna Systems
- Compatible with Cerna Modules that Have D1N or D5Y Dovetails
- LCPN2: Compatible with SM30 Lens Tube, 30 mm Cage, and 60 mm Cage Construction Systems
- LCPN3: Compatible with SM30 Lens Tube and 60 mm Cage Construction Systems
- WFA4111: Compatible with SM2 Lens Tubes
- CSA1003: Compatible with 60 mm Cage Construction Systems
These adapters integrate the Cerna platform with our SM30 (M30.5 x 0.5) lens tube, SM2 (2.035"-40) lens tube,
30 mm cage, and 60 mm cage construction systems, making them ideal for creating custom widefield viewing and epi-illumination apparatuses. In particular, we offer the LCPN3 trinocular port adapter, designed to allow Olympus trinoculars that have a male D5Y dovetail to be used with Cerna systems. See the images to the right for application ideas and the table below for the adapters' mechanical features and microscope compatibility.
The dovetail designations are specific to Thorlabs products; see the Microscope Dovetails tab for details.
For specific compatibility between different adapters and DIY Cerna Components see the DIY Cerna Interfaces tab.

- Attach Custom-Built Optical Systems or Detectors to the Camera Port of Thorlabs' Cerna or Nikon Upright Eclipse Microscopes
- Compatible with SM1, SM2, and 30 mm Cage Construction Systems
The SM1A58 is designed so that custom-built optical systems or detectors based on Thorlabs' components may be attached to the camera port of Thorlabs' Cerna Microscopes or Upright Nikon Eclipse Microscopes. This adapter utilizes a male D2N dovetail to secure the adapter to the port. It also features internal SM1 (1.035"-40) threading for Ø1" Lens Tubes, external SM2 (2.035"-40) threading for Ø2" Lens Tubes, and 4-40 tapped holes on 30 mm centers for attaching cage system rods.
Thorlabs' Scientific CMOS Cameras have options with industry standard C-mount adapters or SM1 internal threading. Industry-standard C-mount cameras can be attached directly to the internal SM1 threads of the SM1A58 adapter using the SM1A39 external C-Mount to external SM1 adapter, available separately. Internally threaded SM1 Cameras can be easily integrated into microscope systems by using an SM1 lens tube spacer or an SM1 lens tube coupler with external threads to connect the camera to the SM1A58 adapter. The external SM2 threads on the SM1A58 can also be connected to an internally SM1-threaded camera with an SM1A2 adapter, which has internal SM2 to external SM1 threads.
Our SM1 or SM2 lens tubes can be used to place the camera at the correct parfocal distance; the exact distance will depend upon the specific trinoculars or other camera ports present on your Cerna microscope.
In addition, an SM1-threaded dust cover (Item # SM1CP2) is included to keep the port closed when not in use.

- Attach DIY Light Conditioning Setups to Cerna Microscopes
- Extends Versatility of Thorlabs' Lens Tube and Cage Construction Systems to Cerna Systems
- CSA2001: Compatible with SM2 Lens Tubes
- LCPN1: Compatible with SM30 Lens Tubes, 30 mm Cage Systems, and 60 mm Cage Systems
The CSA2001 adapter is used to mount a condenser with a male D3N dovetail to an optical assembly that uses Thorlabs' SM2 lens tubes. A 2 mm hex setscrew is included to secure the dovetail of the adapter to the condenser.
The LCPN1 adapter allows the user to attach a custom-built condenser or other light conditioning module to a Cerna, inverted Nikon Eclipse Ti, inverted Nikon Eclipse Ti2, or upright Nikon Eclipse microscope. It features internal SM30 (M30.5 x 0.5) threading for Ø30 mm lens tubes; two SM30RR retaining rings are included to secure an optic inside the adapter. Through holes with side-located locking 8-32 setscrews (5/64" [2 mm] hex) can be used to attach Ø6 mm cage rods for 60 mm cage systems. The side opposite the dovetail has 4-40 tapped holes on 30 mm centers for 30 mm cage systems.

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Our CSA2001 adapter has a female D3N dovetail that mates to the male D3N dovetail on a condenser. Here, the external SM2 threads on the adapter are threaded into our CXY2 mount.

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LCPN1 Adapter Attached to Inverted Nikon Eclipse Condenser Holder

- Connect a Collimated Illumination Source to an Epi-Illumination Module of a Cerna Microscope
- Compatible with CSE2100 and CSE2200 Epi-Illuminator Modules
The SM2A56 adapter allows the user to mount a collimated illumination source to a Cerna epi-illumination module. The adapter uses a D3T dovetail to attach to the CSE2100 and CSE2200 epi-illuminator modules and uses external SM2 (2.035"-40) threading to attach collimated illumination sources, such as Thorlabs' Solis® LEDs. See the table to the left for adapter attachment compatibility.


Two SM2N2 adapters attached to the trinocular eyepieces.
- Replace Trinocular Eyepiece for DIY Construction
- Compatible with SM1, SM2, and 30 mm Cage Construction Systems
The SM2N2 Eyepiece Adapter allows custom-built optical detection systems to attach to either eyepiece on the trinoculars of an Upright Nikon Eclipse, Nikon Eclipse Ti, Nikon Eclipse Ti2, or Cerna Microscope. This adapter replaces the lens element on the eyepiece that sets the image plane at the back of the eyes (see image to the right). Five built-in alignment slots ensure the adapter fits snugly inside the eyepiece without rotation; because of the drop-in nature of this adapter, take care the attached system does not overbalance the 40 g eyepiece adapter when it is inside the trinoculars.
This adapter features internal SM1 (1.035"-40) threading for Ø1" lens tubes; two SM1RR retaining rings are included to secure an optic inside the adapter. The adapter also has external SM2 (2.035"-40) threading for Ø2" lens tubes. The face with the item # engraving has 4-40 tapped holes for 30 mm cage systems.