Products Home / Imaging Components / Lab Supplies for Microscopy / Precision Cover Glasses and Microscope SlidesPrecision Cover Glasses and Microscope Slides
- #1.5H (170 µm) and #0 (85 - 115 µm) Thickness Cover Glasses
- 26.0 mm x 76.0 mm Glass Microscope Slides
- 25.4 mm x 76.2 mm Fluorescent Microscope Slides
- Ideal for High-Performance Imaging Applications
MS10PC
Positively Charged Flat Slide
CG15KH
Rectangular Cover Glass
MS15C1
Slide with Single Cavity
CG15XH
Ø25 mm Cover Glass
Application Idea
Slides Mounted in a Microscope using MLS203-1 XY Stage and MLS203P10 Multiple Slide Holder Stage Accessory
FSK1
Blue Fluorescent Slide
FSK2
Green Fluorescent Slide
FSK6
Red Fluorescent Slide
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| Item # | Thickness | Description | Dimensions | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cover Glasses | ||||
| CG15CH | #1.5H (170 ± 5 µm) |
Square | 22 mm x 22 mm | 1000 |
| CG15CH2 | 200 | |||
| CG15KH | Rectangle | 24 mm x 50 mm | 1000 | |
| CG15KH1 | 100 | |||
| CG15NH | Small Circle | Ø12 mm | 1000 | |
| CG15NH1 | 100 | |||
| CG15XH | Large Circle | Ø25 mm | 1000 | |
| CG15XH1 | 100 | |||
| CG00C | #0 (85 - 115 µm) |
Square | 22 mm x 22 mm | 1000 |
| CG00C2 | 200 | |||
| CG00K | Rectangle | 24 mm x 50 mm | 1000 | |
| CG00K1 | 100 | |||
| Microscope Slides | ||||
| MS10UW | 1 mm | Flat | 26 mm x 76 mm | 1000 |
| MS10UW2 | 200 | |||
| MS10PC | Flat, Positively Charged |
1000 | ||
| MS10PC1 | 100 | |||
| MS15C1 | 1.35 mm | Single Cavity | 50 | |
| MS15C2 | Dual Cavity | 50 | ||
| Fluorescent Microscope Slides | ||||
| FSK1(-P5) | 1.7 mm | Fluorescent, Blue | 25.4 mm x 76.2 mm | 1 or 5 |
| FSK2(-P5) | Fluorescent, Green | 1 or 5 | ||
| FSK3(-P5) | Fluorescent, Yellow | 1 or 5 | ||
| FSK4(-P5) | Fluorescent, Orange | 1 or 5 | ||
| FSK6(-P5) | Fluorescent, Red | 1 or 5 | ||
| FSK5 | Fluorescent Set, All Colors | 5 | ||
Features
- Designed for High-Performance Microscopy Applications
- Cover Slips Made from Schott D 263® M Glass
- Precision, #1.5H (170 ± 5 µm) Thickness: Square, Rectangular, and Round Versions Available
- #0 (85 - 115 µm) Thickness: Square and Rectangular Versions Available
- 26 mm x 76 mm (W x L) Slides Made from Soda-Lime Glass
- 1 mm Thick Slides with Positively Charged or Untreated Surfaces
- 1.35 mm Thick Slides with Cavity Wells for Samples
- 25.4 mm x 76.2 mm Fluorescent Slides Made from a Cast Acrylic Substrate
- 1.7 mm Thick Fluorescent Slides
- Available in Five Colors: Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red
- Each Slide Sold Individually or in Packs of Five
- FSK5 Slide Set Includes All Five Colored Slides
Thorlabs offers a selection of Precision Cover Glasses (Cover Slips), Microscope Slides, and Fluorescent Slides (see the table to the right) designed for high-performance imaging applications such as total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy, live cell imaging, and biochemistry.
Precision Cover Glasses
Cover glasses are manufactured with Schott D 263® M Glass, which is optically clear, colorless, and exhibits low auto-fluorescence. #1.5H cover slips are machined precisely to maintain a uniform thickness of 170 ± 5 µm, which minimizes image defects due to spherical aberration; we offer square, rectangular, and round versions. #0 cover slips are ground to a thickness of 85 - 115 µm, providing the thinnest cover slip thickness for weakly fluorescent or thick samples; square and rectangular versions are available.
Microscope Slides
The 26 mm x 76 mm glass slides are manufactured from corrosion-resistant, soda-lime glass. 1 mm thick slides feature a white marking region and are available with an untreated surface or positively charged surface for added adhesion. 1.35 mm thick slides feature the choice of one or two cavities and have untreated surfaces. Slides can be incorporated into slide holders that are compatible with 26 mm x 76 mm slides, like our microscopy slide and test target holders. Thorlabs' XY and XYZ high-speed motorized stages for microscopy can be fitted with inserts for holding slides in a variety of configurations.
Fluorescent Microscope Slides
The Fluorescent Microscope Slides are available in five colors: blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. Fabricated from cast acrylic substrates, they fluoresce at wavelengths that are similar to many popular fluorophores when illuminated with LEDs or lasers commonly used in widefield, confocal, or multiphoton microscopy. Each slide provides a uniform fluorescent field across its surface area, useful for aligning fluorescence imaging systems. All slides are compatible with our sample holders that fit 26 mm x 76 mm, 1.7 ± 0.5 mm thick slides. Please note that our C4SH01 Four-Position Microscope Slide Holder is not compatible with these slides.
| Cover Glass Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Schott D 263® M | |
| Dimensions | 22 mm x 22 mm, 24 mm x 50 mm, Ø12 mm, or Ø25 mm |
22 mm x 22 mm or 24 mm x 50 mm |
| Thickness | #1.5H (170 ± 5 µm) | #0 (85 - 115 µm) |
| Average Transmissiona,b | 91.7 ± 0.1% | |
| Refractive Index at 589.3 nm | 1.523 | |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 7.2 x 10-6 K-1 | |
| Abbe Number | 55 | |
| Density | 2.51 g/cm3 | |
| Microscope Slide Glass Specifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface | Flat, Untreated |
Flat, Positively Charged |
Cavity Wells, Untreated |
| Type | Soda Lime | ||
| Dimensions | 26 mm x 76 mm | ||
| Thickness | 1 mm ± 0.05 mm | 1 mm ± 0.05 mm | 1.35 mm ± 0.15 mm |
| Average Transmissiona,b | 91.2 ± 1% | ||
| Refractive Index at 589.3 nm | 1.523 | ||
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (20 - 300 °C) | 9 x 10-6 K-1 | ||
| Density | 2.5 g/cm3 | ||
| Elastic Modulus | 7.3 x 104 N/mm2 | ||
| Poisson Ratio | 0.23 | ||
| Alkaline Resistance (ISO 695) | Class 1 - 2 | Class 2 | Class 1 - 2 |
| Acid Resistance (ISO 8424) | Class 1 | Class 3 | Class 1 |
| Hydrolytic Resistance (ISO 719) | Class 3 | Class 3 | Class 3 |
| Fluorescent Slide Specificationsa | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Cast Acrylic | |
| Dimensions | 25.4 mm x 76.2 mm | |
| Thickness | 1.7 mm ± 0.2 mm | |
Microscope Slides and Cover Glasses
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Raw Data
Transmission measurements of four CG00C cover glasses from 350 nm to 800 nm. These data represent all #0 thickness cover glasses.
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Raw Data
Transmission measurements of four CG15CH cover glasses from 350 nm to 800 nm. These data represent all #1.5H thickness cover glasses.
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Raw Data
Transmission measurements of four MS10UW microscope slides from 350 nm to 800 nm. These data represent all microscope slides.
Fluorescent Slides
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Raw Data
Comparison of transmission measurements of the FSK1 (blue), FSK2 (green), FSK3 (yellow), FSK4 (orange), and FSK6 (red) fluorescent slides from 300 nm to 700 nm. This data is typical; performance may vary from lot to lot.
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Raw Data
Measured fluorescence spectrum of the FSK1 blue fluorescent slide when illuminated with the M365FP1 365 nm Fiber-Coupled LED. This data is typical; performance may vary from lot to lot.
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Raw Data
Measured fluorescence spectrum of the FSK2 green fluorescent slide when illuminated with the M470F3 470 nm Fiber-Coupled LED. This data is typical; performance may vary from lot to lot.
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Raw Data
Measured fluorescence spectrum of the FSK3 yellow fluorescent slide when illuminated with the M365FP1 365 nm Fiber-Coupled LED. This data is typical; performance may vary from lot to lot.
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Raw Data
Measured fluorescence spectrum of the FSK4 orange fluorescent slide when illuminated with the M565F3 565 nm Fiber-Coupled LED. This data is typical; performance may vary from lot to lot.
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Raw Data
Measured fluorescence spectrum of the FSK6 red fluorescent slide when illuminated with the M565F3 565 nm Fiber-Coupled LED. This data is typical; performance may vary from lot to lot.
There are a several common techniques to prepare a sample for microscopy with a slide and cover glass.
Dry Mount
In this method, the sample is placed directly on the slide. To protect the microscope objective, a cover glass should be placed over the sample. For large samples, the MS15C1 or MS15C2 slides with wells may be used for additional space.
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Use a tweezer to lower the cover slip on top of the sample.
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Use a dropper bottle to place a drop of fluid on the slide.
Wet Mount
To prepare a wet mount, place the sample on the slide. Then, use a pipette or B2939 dropper bottle to add a drop of liquid (e.g., water, glycerin, growth media, etc.) on top of the specimen. Using a pair of tweezers, hold the cover glass on one end and carefully lower it over the sample droplet (see the images to the right).
- Ensure that there are no air bubbles trapped underneath the cover slip.
- Too much liquid underneath the cover glass will cause it to slide. Use a small piece of paper towel or KW32 Kimwipes®† near the edge of the cover slip to absorb excess fluid.
- If there is too little liquid underneath the cover glass, use a pipette or dropper bottle to add a small drop of fluid near the edge of the cover slip.
To protect the mounted sample from evaporation or contamination, the cover glass can be sealed or glued to the microscope slide. For live cells or other sensitive samples seal the edges with valap, which is an equal parts mixture of Vaseline, lanolin, and paraffin wax. When slowly melted together, the mixture can be applied to the edges of the cover glass with a small brush or cotton swab.
Smear Preparation
For this type of sample mounting, first place a drop of the sample to be smeared on the slide. Using the edge of a second slide, gently smear the sample to create a thin, uniform layer. Place a cover slip over the smear and use a paper towel or KW32 Kimwipes to absorb any excess fluid from the edge of the cover slip.
Please note: Do not use ethanol with the Fluorescent Calibration Microscope Slides because it may cause damage to the slides and bleed through.
†Kimwipes® is a registered trademark of the Kimberly-Clark Corporation.
| Posted Comments: | |
Yale Goldman
(posted 2020-12-25 19:37:28.85) Do you have a spec for the surface roughness of these? YLohia
(posted 2020-12-30 12:21:19.0) Hello Yale, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. Unfortunately, we do not control for a specific surface roughness and cannot provide a spec for that. yannick.folwill
(posted 2018-10-25 15:42:24.663) Dear Thorlabs,
for me the diameter of the cover glasses is very critical, I was using the 25 mm substrates and built a mount for it which worked fine for the first two batches I got. Now the new batch of substrates I have is of diameter ~25.2 mm which is too large for my mount. Do you also have those glasses with tighter tolerances or at least leaning to have smaller diameter?
Thank you. YLohia
(posted 2018-10-31 11:19:36.0) Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. My apologies for the issues caused by the larger size of your latest cover glass order. We have a tolerance of +/-0.5mm on these. I will reach out to you directly to discuss the possibility of offering a tighter tolerance on these. nevgilhooly88
(posted 2018-09-07 15:49:58.673) We recently tried CG15CH2 coverslips as a replacement for GoldSeal coverslips from Fisher. Both coverslips are made with D263M glass. However, the CG15CH2 coverslips showed horrendous autofluorescence straight out the box compared to theGoldSeals. I had to bake the coverslips at 450oC to remove the fluorescence. Are these coverslips pure D263M glass or has it been doped with other material? I'm concerned that our surface chemistries will not work as well with these coverslips. llamb
(posted 2018-09-21 09:00:26.0) Thank you for your feedback. The CG15CH2 cover slips are made from pure D 263 M Schott glass. The raw glass material itself is gas coated with sulfur dioxide, which can connect on the glass surface with sodium oxide to become sodium sulfate. The intensity/amount of this coating may vary. This process is done by the raw glass manufacturer to ensure that the glass sheets can be easily separated. Perhaps your coverslips are autofluorescing from a particularly thick coating, or there may be additional impurities in the glass that are causing this. I will reach out to you directly to troubleshoot further and see if replacement coverslips are necessary. ysung4
(posted 2018-08-07 15:28:38.073) Can you make coverslips that can be used with your sample holder (https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=MPSH)? YLohia
(posted 2018-08-16 08:25:23.0) Hello, thank you for your feedback. I have posted this new product idea for 35mm diameter coverslips on our internal engineering forum for further consideration. jbiegen
(posted 2017-03-26 13:44:45.313) Can you tell me what the diameter tolerance is on the CG15XH 25mm cover slip? Also, can you broadband AR coat one of the surfaces and if so, what is best surface quality could you provide? Thanks. tfrisch
(posted 2017-04-18 09:53:27.0) Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. While we don't provide dimensional tolerances for these cover slips, we may be able to provide a custom window for your application. I will reach out to you directly about your requirements. pzhao
(posted 2016-08-22 09:28:14.193) CG15CH is made of Schott D263. Compared with Fused Silica, does it have higher or lower autofluorescence?
Thanks. |
Zoom
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24 mm x 50 mm CG15KH Cover Slip Wet Mounted to MS10UW Slide
- Precision Glass Cover Slips with #1.5H (170 µm) Thickness and ± 5 µm Tolerance
- Recommended for Use with High NA Objective Lenses
- Square (22 mm x 22 mm), Rectangular (24 mm x 50 mm), and Round (Ø12 mm and Ø25 mm) Versions
Thorlabs' Precision Cover Glasses are ground to a uniform thickness of 170 ± 5 µm and are made from Schott D 263 M Glass, an optically clear and colorless glass that exhibits low auto-fluorescence. The uniform thickness and consistent optical properties help reduce image defects due to spherical aberrations (see the Specs tab for details). As such, these cover slips are ideal for use with high NA objective lenses.
Cover glasses are available in square (22 mm x 22 mm), rectangular (24 mm x 50 mm), and round (Ø12 mm and Ø25 mm) sizes. Please note that the Ø12 mm cover slips cannot be used with the MS15C1 and MS15C2 cavity slides. For additional information on mounting dry or wet samples with cover glasses, please see the Slide Preparation tab.
Zoom- Glass Cover Slips with #0 (85 - 115 µm) Thickness
- Square (22 mm x 22 mm) and Rectangular (24 mm x 50 mm) Versions
Thorlabs' #0 Cover Glasses are ground to a thickness of 85 - 115 µm and are made from Schott D 263 M Glass, an optically clear and colorless glass that exhibits low auto-fluorescence. These cover slips are the thinnest standard thickness, covering the sample with the least optic material. This is ideal for weakly fluorescent or thick samples.
Cover glasses are available in square (22 mm x 22 mm) and rectangular (24 mm x 50 mm) sizes. For additional information on mounting dry or wet samples with cover glasses, please see the Slide Preparation tab.
Zoom- 26 mm x 76 mm (W x L) Soda-Lime Glass Slides
- Corrosion Resistant (Hydrolytic Class 3 Rating); See the Specs Tab for Details
- Pre-Cleaned and Ready for Use; Autoclavable
- 1 mm Thick Flat Slides with White Marking Region
- Untreated Surface, Packs of 1000 or 200
- Positively Charged Surface, Packs of 1000 or 100
- 1.35 mm Thick Slides with One or Two Cavity Wells, Packs of 50
These 26 mm x 76 mm (W x L) Microscope Glass Slides are manufactured using a corrosion-resistant, soda-lime glass with a hydrolytic class 3 rating for compatibility with most sample types and imaging applications. The slides are pre-cleaned and ready for use directly from storage; for further cleaning, they can be autoclaved prior to use. Glass slides are available in 1 mm or 1.35 mm thick versions. The 1 mm thick flat glass slides are offered with a 26 mm x 20 mm white marking region on one side for easy labeling; use a pencil for best results. The slide surface is offered untreated, or positively charged for additional sample adhesion. The 1.35 mm thick slides contain one or two Ø15 - Ø18 mm,
0.6 - 0.8 mm deep spherical cavities for working with liquid samples, tissue cultures, or larger specimens.
Slides can be mounted in slide holders such as the MAX3SLH Fixed Microscope Slide Holder or into slide holder inserts for motorized and manual microscopy stages. These slides are compatible with all slide holders that fit 26 mm x 76 mm slides.
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Raw Data
Fluorescence of the five slides when illuminated with Thorlabs' Fiber-Coupled LEDs. Please see the raw data file for the LEDs used to obtain these fluorescence spectra. This data is typical; performance may vary from lot to lot. Please see the Graphs tab for more details.
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The FSK6 Red Fluorescent Slide Mounted Using the MP100-RCH2 Rigid Stand Slide Holder
- Available in Five Colors: Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red
- Each Slide Sold Individually or in Packs of Five
- FSK5 Slide Set Includes All Five Colored Slides
- 25.4 mm x 76.2 mm and 1.7 mm Thick
- Five Different Fluorescence Spectra Similar to a Variety of Fluorophores (See Graph to the Right)
- Provides a Uniform Fluorescent Field Across the Surface Area
- Made of a Cast Acrylic Substrate
Our Fluorescent Microscope Slides are designed to be used to align fluorescence imaging systems. Commonly used with widefield, confocal, and multiphoton imaging systems, these slides provide a uniform fluorescent field across their surface area and have fluorescence spectra similar to a variety of fluorophores. Each slide is 25.4 mm x 76.2 mm and is cut from cast acrylic material with a thickness of 1.7 ± 0.5 mm. A plastic storage box is included with the FSK5 Slide Set and the packs of five slides to keep the them clean and dust-free. The box is engraved with the Thorlabs logo and item # on the top. For custom sizes up to 1' x 2', please contact Tech Support. For more details on these fluorescent slides, please see the full web presentation.
These slides are compatible with our sample holders that fit 26 mm x 76 mm, 1.7 ± 0.5 mm thick slides. Please note that our C4SH01 Four-Position Microscope Slide Holder is not compatible with these slides.
 Precision Cover Glasses and Microscope Slides |