INNO_TS/RS_E_15.qxd 15.08.2005 10:35 Uhr Seite III InnovationThe Magazine from Carl Zeiss ISSN 1431-8059 15 In Memory of Ernst Abbe Inhalt_01_Editorial_E.qxd 15.08.2005 9:07 Uhr Seite 2 Contents Editorial Formulas for Success. ❚ Dieter Brocksch 3 In Memory of Ernst Abbe Ernst Abbe 4 Microscope Lenses 8 Numerical Aperture, Immersion and Useful Magnification ❚ Rainer Danz 12 Highlights from the History of Immersion Objectives 16 From the History of Microscopy: Abbe’s Diffraction Experiments ❚ Heinz Gundlach 18 The Science of Light 24 Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy 26 Felix Anton Dohrn 29 The Hall of Frescoes ❚ Christiane Groeben 30 Bella Napoli 31 From Users The Zebra Fish as a Model Organism for Developmental Biology 32 SPIM – A New Microscope Procedure 34 The Scourge of Back Pain – Treatment Methods and Innovations 38 ZEISS in the Center for Book Preservation ❚ Manfred Schindler 42 Across the Globe Carl Zeiss Archive Aids Ghanaian Project ❚ Peter Gluchi 46 Prizes and Awards 100 Years of Brock & Michelsen 48 Award for NaT Working Project 49 Product Report Digital Pathology: MIRAX SCAN 50 UHRTEM 50 Superlux™ Eye Xenon Illumination 50 Carl Zeiss Optics in Nokia Mobile Phones 51 Masthead 51 2 Innovation 15, Carl Zeiss AG, 2005 Inhalt_01_Editorial_E.qxd 15.08.2005 9:07 Uhr Seite 3 Editorial Formulas for Success... Formulas describe the functions and processes of what It clearly and concisely describes the resolution of optical happens in the world and our lives. It is often the small, instruments using the visible spectrum of light and con- insignificant formulas in particular that play a decisive tributed to the improvement of optical devices. role in what we know and in the functionality of modern instruments and examination methods. for the large... The fiftieth anniversary of the death of Albert Einstein (1879-1955) also marks the centennial of his theory of relativity; a theory that revolutionized perceptions, made the processes of life more understandable and began to explain the dimensions of time and space. The short for- Scientist mula, E=m·c2, expresses the infinite complexity of our Entrepreneur world. Einstein had contact with Zeiss throughout the Social Reformer course of his scientific activities. In 1925 he wrote to the company Anschütz in Kiel about producing a gyrocom- The same year also saw the passing of another German pass: “The difficulties of manufacturing are so great – microscope manufacturer with connections to Abbe and accuracies of 10-4 have to be achieved – that Zeiss is Zeiss: Rudolf Winkel (1827-1905). During Abbe’s times, currently the only company capable of meeting the re- good microscopes were also built at Winkel’s workshop quirements.“ which was founded in Göttingen in 1857. Abbe visited Winkel’s workshop while he was a student in Göttingen. His visit in 1894 led to closer cooperation. In 1911, Zeiss became Winkel’s chief partner. In October 1957, the firm R. Winkel GmbH became part of the Carl Zeiss Foundation. The same year that Abbe died, Robert Koch (1843- 1919) received the Nobel Prize for Medicine for his exam- inations and discoveries while researching tuberculosis. In 1878, Robert Koch used the Abbe oil immersion system for the first time and was impressed by the “quantum leap“ made by the “Carl Zeiss Optical Workshop using Professor Abbe’s ingenious advice.“ In 1904, Carl Zeiss management presented Robert Koch with the 1000th 1/12 objective lens for homogenous oil immersion. Many articles in this issue are dedicated to Ernst Abbe ... and small things in life. and his times. We reflect on what Ernst Abbe meant to Carl Zeiss and what he did for optics, and we take a spe- 2005 also marks the 100th anniversary of the death of cial look at developments that were and continue to be Ernst Abbes (1840-1905). Numerous events throughout significantly influenced by Ernst Abbe and his scientific 2005 honor his many great achievements. His extensive results. This is emphasized by the image on the cover examinations within the scope of his activities at Carl pages: an historical tribute to the more than 150 years of Zeiss’ optical workshop also resulted in the formula for optical development with a focus on microscopy. the resolution of a microscope: d = 2n sin ␣ July 2005 Dr. Dieter Brocksch Innovation 15, Carl Zeiss AG, 2005 3 INNO_02_Abbe_Biogr_E.qxd 15.08.2005 11:26 Uhr Seite 4 In Memory of Ernst Abbe 1857 Education and (1857-1859) and Göttingen (1859- cine and Science, in which he gave a early years 1861). Abbe completed his studies by total of 45 lectures in the period to obtaining his doctorate in Göttingen 1895. From 1866, he was a freelance Ernst Abbe was born in Eisenach on on the subject “Experiential substan- scientist with the court and university January 23, 1840, as the son of tiation of the theorem of equivalence mechanic Carl Zeiss in Jena. In 1870 master spinner and subsequent fac- between heat and mechanical ener- Abbe formulated the famous sine tory attendant Georg Adam Abbe gy“. He subsequently worked for two condition subsequently named after and his wife Christina. He attended years as a teacher at the Physics him, a condition that must be met by elementary school from 1846 to Association in Frankfurt/Main. any spherically corrected lens if it is 1850, after which he was a student also to be free from coma in at the local high school in Eisenach. Family and the neighborhood of the lens axis in He finished his school education in science microscope image formation. In the 1857 and graduated with above- same year he became an extraor- average grades. In the period to Abbe’s mother died early in his life: dinary professor at the University of 1861 he studied mathematics and July 14, 1857. During his studies, his Jena. On September 24, 1871, he physics at the Universities of Jena father married for the second time, to married Elise Snell, the daughter of lec- the widow Eva Margarethe Liebetrau turer Prof. Snell, a mathematics and on November 11, 1859. After his physics lecturer at the University of time in Frankfurt, Abbe joined the Jena. Three years later, the first child, In 2005, the book titled “Ernst Mathematical Association in Jena in his daughter Paula, was born. His fa- Abbe – Scientist, Entrepreneur 1863. In the same year, he obtained ther died on August 18, 1874. Abbe and Social Reformer” was his post-doctoral qualification as a was director of Jena Observatory published by Bussert & lecturer with his paper on “the laws from 1877 to 1900. On May 1, 1878, Stadeler, Jena Quedlinburg in the distribution of errors in obser- he was appointed as an honorary to mark the 100th anniversary vation series“. He taught as a private member of the London Royal Micro- of Ernst Abbe’s death. mathematics and physics lecturer at scopical Society. In June of the same the University of Jena. year, he became an ordinary hon- [ISBN 3-932906-57-8] In 1863 Abbe also became a mem- orary professor at the University of ber of the Jena Association of Medi- Jena. He was awarded the title of Dr. 4 Innovation 15, Carl Zeiss AG, 2005 INNO_02_Abbe_Biogr_E.qxd 15.08.2005 11:27 Uhr Seite 5 1863 1870 1875 1880 med. h. c. by the University of Halle allowed the implementation of high for Otto Schott in Jena. The following in 1883 and the title Dr. jur. h. c. by quality standards. The corporate or- year saw the signing of the new part- the University of Jena in 1886. In ganization was successfully focused nership agreement in which Abbe 1900 Abbe became a corresponding on growth by the clear allocation of became an active partner together member of the Imperial Austrian responsibilities for scientific, technical with Carl and Roderich Zeiss. Academy of Science in Vienna. In and commercial staff. In 1884 the Glastechnische Labo- 1901 he was appointed as an hon- From 1872, all ZEISS microscopes ratorium Schott & Gen. (later to be- orary member of the Saxon Academy were built in line with Abbe’s calcula- come Jenaer Glaswerk Schott & of Science and of the Academy of tions. Three years later, in 1875, Gen.) was founded by Otto Schott, Science in Göttingen. Abbe became a dormant partner in Ernst Abbe, Carl Zeiss and Roderich the Optical Workshop of Carl Zeiss. Zeiss. Abbe as an Abbe pledged not to increase his ac- In search of calcium fluoride for entrepreneur ademic activity beyond the current optical applications, Abbe traveled to measure and not to accept a profes- Oltscherenalp in Switzerland for the The process of integrating science sorship in Jena or elsewhere. One first time in 1886. After the death of into industry already started in the year later, he traveled to London to Carl Zeiss on December 3, 1888, 1860s. In addition to Carl Zeiss, attend the international exposition of Abbe became the sole owner of the Siemens and Bayer were also pio- scientific instruments on behalf of Zeiss works in 1889. At the same neers of this development. By hiring the Prussian Department of Educa- time, he discontinued his teaching scientific staff, Ernst Abbe was a tion. In 1878, due to his obligations activities at the University of Jena. decisive driving force behind this at Zeiss, he turned down the offer of From 1890 onwards, Abbe expanded process at Zeiss: the integration of a post as professor in Berlin instigat- the product spectrum on an ongoing R&D into the company was an impor- ed by Hermann von Helmholtz. He basis: measuring instruments (1890), tant step toward technology leader- also declined the offer of an ordinary camera lenses (1890), binoculars ship.