What is immersion media used for in microscopy?

Immersion media is used between the microscope objective and the cover glass to increase resolution and image quality by reducing light refraction. It improves numerical aperture performance and enables sharper imaging in high-resolution microscopy.

How do I choose the right ZEISS immersion oil or medium?

The choice depends on your imaging method and sample type. Oil immersion (e.g., Immersol® 518 N) is typically used for routine brightfield microscopy, while fluorescence applications benefit from low-autofluorescence oils like Immersol® 518 F. Water and glycerol-based media are preferred for live-cell and aqueous samples.

What is the difference between oil, water, glycerol, and silicone immersion media?

Oil immersion media provide high refractive index matching for glass-based samples. Water immersion is ideal for live-cell imaging. Glycerol reduces optical aberrations in thicker biological samples, while silicone immersion media are optimized for deep-tissue and long-term live imaging.

Which ZEISS immersion medium is best for fluorescence microscopy?

Immersol® 518 F is specifically optimized for fluorescence and confocal microscopy due to its low background signal and high optical clarity, making it suitable for sensitive imaging applications.

Can ZEISS immersion media be used for live-cell imaging?

Yes. Water-based (Immersol® W 2010), glycerol-based (Immersol® G), and silicone-based (Immersol® Sil 406) immersion media are designed for live-cell and long-term imaging applications with reduced optical distortion.

How often should immersion media be replaced or cleaned?

Immersion media should be cleaned after each use to avoid contamination and optical degradation. Proper cleaning ensures consistent imaging quality and prevents damage to microscope objectives.

Product

Immersion media

Support image quality and optical performance across microscopy workflows

ZEISS immersion oils and immersion media support high-resolution fluorescence, confocal, and live-cell imaging by reducing refractive index mismatch between the objective and sample. Designed for compatibility with ZEISS immersion objectives, these media help maintain image clarity, brightness, and optical performance across demanding microscopy workflows.

Standard immersion oils for brightfield and non-fluorescence microscopy

Designed for high-resolution microscopy with oil-immersion objectives for applications including bright field, dark field, phase contrast, and differential interference contrast

Immersol® 518 N

Immersion oil for transmitted light applications. Refractive index n_e=1.518 at 23°C (ISO 8036 compliant). Compatible with ZEISS oil-immersion objectives.

Note: The information on the product label must always be followed.

Get a quote or buy now
Signal word: Warning

Hazard statements:
H315 - Causes skin irritation.
H411 - Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.

Precautionary statements:
Prevention
P273 - Avoid release to the environment.
P280 - Wear protective gloves.

Response
P302 + P352 - IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water.
P333 + P313 - If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical advice/ attention.
GHS07

GHS09
Download Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Immersol® M

Immersion oil for metallography and materials microscopy. Refractive index n_e=1.518 at 23°C (ISO 8036 compliant). Compatible with ZEISS oil-immersion objectives.

Note: The information on the product label must always be followed.

Get a quote or buy now
Signal word: Warning

Hazard statements:
H319 - Causes serious eye irritation.
H412 - Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects.

Precautionary statements:
Prevention
P273 - Avoid release to the environment.
P280 - Wear protective gloves.

Response
P305 + P351 + P338 - IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
P337 + P313 - If eye irritation persists: Get medical advice/ attention.
GHS07
Download Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

Select your immersion media

Choose the Immersion Media solution that fits your needs
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Low-autofluorescence immersion oils for fluorescence imaging and temperature-controlled workflows

Designed especially for fluorescence applications for high resolution microscopy with oil-immersion objectives including bright field, dark field, phase contrast, differential interference contrast with different temperature requirements.

Immersol® 518 F (23°C)

Immersion oil for fluorescence and transmitted light applications. Refractive index n_e =1.518 at 23°C (ISO 8036 compliant). Compatible with ZEISS oil-immersion objectives.

Note: The information on the product label must always be followed.

Get a quote or buy now
Signal word: Warning

Hazard statements:
H315 - Causes skin irritation.
H412 - Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects.

Precautionary statements:
Prevention
P273 - Avoid release to the environment.
P280 - Wear protective gloves.

Response
P302 + P352 - IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water.
GHS07
Download Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Immersol® 518 F (30°C)

Immersion oil for fluorescence and transmitted light applications. Refractive index n_e = 1.518 at 30°C (ISO 8036 compliant). Compatible with ZEISS oil-immersion objectives.

Note: The information on the product label must always be followed.

Get a quote or buy now
Signal word: Warning

Hazard statements:
H315 - Causes skin irritation.
H411 - Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.

Precautionary statements:
Prevention
P264 - Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
P273 - Avoid release to the environment.
P280 - Wear protective gloves/ protective clothing/ eye protection/ face protection.

Response
P302 + P352 - IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water.
P332 + P313 - If skin irritation occurs: Get medical advice/ attention.
P391 - Collect spillage.
GHS07

GHS09
Download Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Immersol® 518 F (37°C)

Immersion oil for fluorescence and transmitted light applications. Refractive index n_e = 1.518 at 37°C (ISO 8036 compliant). Compatible with ZEISS oil-immersion objectives.

Note: The information on the product label must always be followed.

Get a quote or buy now
Signal word: Warning

Hazard statements:
H315 - Causes skin irritation.
H411 - Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.

Precautionary statements:
Prevention
P264 - Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
P273 - Avoid release to the environment.
P280 - Wear protective gloves/ protective clothing/ eye protection/ face protection.

Response
P302 + P352 - IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water.
P332 + P313 - If skin irritation occurs: Get medical advice/ attention.
P391 - Collect spillage.
GHS07

GHS09
Download Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

Immersion media matched to sample and imaging requirements

Designed for complimenting specific imaging environments of living, fixed, and cleared fluorescence samples, including aqueous samples, thicker biological specimens, and deeper tissue imaging. These medias are used with ZEISS water immersion, silicone, and glycerin immersion capable objectives.

Immersol® W 2010

Water-like immersion medium for aqueous sample microscopy. Refractive index n_e = 1.334 at 23°C (ISO 8036 compliant). Compatible with ZEISS water immersion and multi-immersion objectives.

Note: The information on the product label must always be followed.

Get a quote or buy now

Download Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Immersol® Sil 406

Silicone immersion oil for living sample microscopy. Refractive index n_e = 1,406 at 23°C (50 8036 compliant.) Compatible with ZEISS multi-immersion objectives.

Note: The information on the product label must always be followed.

Get a quote or buy now

Download Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Immersol® G

Glycerin immersion medium for fixed, living, and cleared samples. Refractive index n_e = 1.456 at 23°C (50 8036 compliant). Compatible with ZEISS glycerin and multi-immersion objectives.

Note: The information on the product label must always be followed.

Get a quote or buy now

Download Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

High refractive index immersion oil

For ZEISS ultra-high-resolution microscopy with specialized high-NA objectives.

Immersol® Hl 661

High-index immersion oil for ultra-high-resolution microscopy. Refractive index ne = 1.66 at 23°C. Compatible with ZEISS Alpha Plan-Apochromat100x/1.57 oil objectives.

Note: The information on the product label must always be followed.

Get a quote or buy now
Signal word: Warning

Hazard statements:
H302 - Harmful if swallowed.
H315 - Causes skin irritation.
H413 - May cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life.

Precautionary statements:
Prevention
P270 - Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P273 - Avoid release to the environment.

Response
P302 + P352 - IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water.
P332 + P313 - If skin irritation occurs: Get medical advice/ attention.

Compatible with ZEISS Alpha Plan-Apochromat 100x/1.57 oil objectives
GHS07
Download Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

ZEISS Immersion Media Comparison Table

	Immersion type	Refractive index (23°C)	Recommended operating temperature	Primary applications	Key features
Immersol® 518 N	Oil	1.518	23°C	General transmitted-light microscopy (brightfield, darkfield, phase contrast, DIC)	Standard immersion oil compliant with ISO 8036; suitable for routine microscopy applications
Immersol® 518 F	Oil	1.518	23°C (also available for 30°C and 37°C)	Fluorescence and confocal microscopy	Optimized for fluorescence imaging with reduced intrinsic fluorescence
Immersol® G	Glycerol	1.456	23°C	Glycerol-immersion microscopy and imaging of aqueous biological samples	Refractive index intermediate between water and oil
Immersol® W (2010)	Water	1.3339	23°C	Water-immersion microscopy and live-cell imaging	Refractive index matched to water-based samples
Immersol® HI 661	High-index immersion medium	~1.661	23°C	Specialized microscopy applications requiring high refractive index matching	Very high refractive index immersion medium
Immersol® M	Immersion medium	Manufacturer-specified	23°C	Specialized microscopy applications	Designed for specific optical matching requirements
Immersol® Sil 406	Silicone oil	~1.406	23°C	Silicone-immersion microscopy and deep-tissue imaging	Designed for use with silicone-immersion objectives

	Application
Immersol® 518 N	Routine brightfield, phase contrast, and DIC microscopy
Immersol® 518 F	Fluorescence and confocal microscopy
Immersol® W (2010)	Live-cell imaging in aqueous environments
Immersol® G	Imaging of thick biological samples
Immersol® Sil 406	Deep-tissue imaging and long-term live-cell imaging
Immersol® HI 661	Specialized high-NA optical systems

	Immersol® 518 N	Immersol® 518 F	Immersol® G	Immersol® W (2010)	Immersol® Sil 406
Fluorescence compatibility	Standard imaging applications	Fluorescence-optimized	Suitable for fluorescence applications	Fluorescence-optimized	Fluorescence-optimized
Autofluorescence performance	Standard	Optimized for fluorescence imaging	Reduced background signal	Minimal background signal	Reduced background signal
Handling characteristics (Viscosity)	Stable coverage	Balanced handling	Balanced handling	Rapid equilibration	Balanced handling
Live-Cell imaging suitability	Standard laboratory applications	Standard laboratory applications	Live-cell optimized	Live-cell optimized	Long-term live-cell optimized
Long-Term time-lapse imaging	Suitable for extended imaging	Enhanced for extended imaging	Enhanced for extended imaging	Enhanced for extended imaging	Optimized for long-term imaging
Refractive index matching	Optimized for glass interfaces (n = 1.518)	Optimized for glass interfaces (n = 1.518)	Optimized for biological tissues	Optimized for aqueous samples	Optimized for cells and tissues

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and handling information for immersion media

Access official safety and handling documentation for ZEISS immersion media.

Service & Support

Immersol®

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Consult the safety data sheets to the ZEISS Immersol® immersion oils.

View Safety Data Sheets

Immersion media is used between the microscope objective and the cover glass to increase resolution and image quality by reducing light refraction. It improves numerical aperture performance and enables sharper imaging in high-resolution microscopy.
The choice depends on your imaging method and sample type. Oil immersion (e.g., Immersol® 518 N) is typically used for routine brightfield microscopy, while fluorescence applications benefit from low-autofluorescence oils like Immersol® 518 F. Water and glycerol-based media are preferred for live-cell and aqueous samples.
Oil immersion media provide high refractive index matching for glass-based samples. Water immersion is ideal for live-cell imaging. Glycerol reduces optical aberrations in thicker biological samples, while silicone immersion media are optimized for deep-tissue and long-term live imaging.
Immersol® 518 F is specifically optimized for fluorescence and confocal microscopy due to its low background signal and high optical clarity, making it suitable for sensitive imaging applications.
Yes. Water-based (Immersol® W 2010), glycerol-based (Immersol® G), and silicone-based (Immersol® Sil 406) immersion media are designed for live-cell and long-term imaging applications with reduced optical distortion.
Immersion media should be cleaned after each use to avoid contamination and optical degradation. Proper cleaning ensures consistent imaging quality and prevents damage to microscope objectives.

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Immersion media

Standard immersion oils for brightfield and non-fluorescence microscopy

Immersol® 518 N

Immersol® M

Simple 3-step online purchase journey

Select your immersion media

Log in or register for MyZEISS

Enter shipping & billing details and check out

Low-autofluorescence immersion oils for fluorescence imaging and temperature-controlled workflows

Immersol® 518 F (23°C)

Immersol® 518 F (30°C)

Immersol® 518 F (37°C)