SCHOTT A08600 Universal Ringlight — Fiber Optic Ring Illumination Accessory

The SCHOTT A08600 Universal Ringlight is a fiber optic annular illumination accessory designed to deliver uniform, shadow-reducing light around microscope objectives and inspection optics. When paired with compatible SCHOTT fiber-optic light sources, the A08600 provides even incident illumination that helps minimize glare, hot spots, and directional shadowing during precision inspection.

Accessory note: A08600 is a passive light guide. It does not generate light on its own and must be connected to a compatible SCHOTT fiber-optic illuminator.

Specifications:

Manufacturer: SCHOTT
Part number: A08600
Type: Fiber optic universal ringlight (annular illumination)
Mounting range: Fits microscope objectives and optics from 47 mm to 62 mm diameter
Light delivery: Even 360° circumferential illumination
Compatibility: SCHOTT fiber-optic light sources (see below)
Construction: Multi-fiber annular bundle with protective housing
Use environments: Microscopy, inspection, imaging workstations; suitability depends on installation and SOP

Why Use a Ringlight?

Ring illumination surrounds the inspection axis with light, reducing directional shadows and improving uniformity across the field of view. This is especially useful for:

Flat or reflective surfaces where glare must be controlled
Camera-based inspection requiring consistent exposure
Applications where defect visibility depends on uniform contrast rather than texture

Compared to single or dual gooseneck guides, a ringlight trades directional contrast for uniformity and repeatability.

Compatible SCHOTT Light Sources

KL 1600 LED
KL 300 LED
LED MC-LS (A20990)
ColdVision CV-LS A20980 (3000K or 6000K variants)

About the Manufacturer:

SCHOTT is a global technology company with deep expertise in optical glass, fiber-optic systems, and illumination technologies used across microscopy, industrial inspection, electronics, and life-science applications. SCHOTT ringlight accessories are engineered to integrate cleanly with their fiber-optic light sources, supporting repeatable illumination geometry and long-term workstation stability.

Notes: Selecting the correct illumination geometry (ring vs. dual vs. single) is often more impactful than increasing brightness. For guidance, open the SOSCleanroom Technical Vault tab.

Product page updated: Feb. 2026 (SOS Technical Staff)

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The Technical Vault: SCHOTT A08600 Universal Ringlight

Vault purpose: How ring illumination works, when to use it, and how to deploy A08600 for consistent inspection results.

1) What the A08600 Is

A08600 is a fiber optic ringlight that distributes light evenly around an optical axis. It attaches around microscope objectives or imaging optics and connects to a remote fiber-optic light source.

2) Why ringlights reduce inspection variability

Uniform illumination reduces operator-dependent positioning
Minimizes harsh shadows caused by single-direction lighting
Improves exposure stability in camera-based systems

3) Ring vs. dual gooseneck vs. single guide

Ringlight: best for uniformity and low shadowing
Dual guide: best for cross-lighting and defect contrast
Single guide: strongest texture enhancement, highest shadowing

Many inspection programs standardize on ringlights when visual criteria depend on consistency rather than texture enhancement.

4) Mechanical fit and mounting

A08600 fits optics from 47–62 mm diameter. Ensure the ring is centered on the optical axis and secured to prevent drift during operation or cleaning.

5) Light source pairing

Illumination performance depends on the connected light source. Higher-output sources (CV-LS, MC-LS) provide more headroom for dimming and strobe use, while compact sources (KL 300) support simpler bench setups.

6) Controlled-environment considerations

A08600 is not sterile and is not marketed as cleanroom-certified. Suitability in ISO-controlled areas depends on placement, wipe-down method, and SOP approval.

7) Best-practice setup tips