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Microscope Basics

Page history last edited by Joe Redish 9 years, 10 months ago

Technical Intro: Microscope Basics

 

 

Eyepieces:

 

  • Adjustable to fit both eyes
  • Sometimes easier if one eye is closed
  • If eyelashes obstruct view, move closer to the eyepieces
 

Light Source, Condenser, Phase Contrast Panel:

 

  • Condenser concentrates light from illumination source
  • Phase rings in front of the light source allow the microscope to translate phase shifts in light that goes through a transparent sample into brightness changes in the observed images. This allows for very useful imaging of transparent samples that would be difficult with standard bright field imaging.
  • The light intensity can be controlled by adjusting the orange wheel on the bottom left of the machine.

 

 

 

 

Diaphragm:

 

  • Lever controls an iris, allowing the user to control the amount of light hitting the sample
  • Very often, higher detail can be observed by allowing less light through the iris

Stage:

 

  • Place the sample slide on the microscope stage carefully
  • The stage can be moved relative to the objectives using the dials below the stage to the right
  • Align the sample directly over the objective, so the light is shining directly on the sample

 

Objectives:

 

  • Objectives collect the light from the samples and focus it to form an image in the eyepiece or CCD camera.
  • Rotating turret holds four different objective lenses: 4X, 10X, 20X, and 40X
  • Always start with a low magnification objective: find, center and focus on the sample before moving on to a higher magnification.
  • Always lower objectives using the coarse adjustment knob before rotating the turret

Coarse and Fine Focusing Knobs:

 

  • Bring sample into view using the coarse adjustment knob (inner knob)
  • Once sample is in view, use the fine adjustment knob (outer knob) to achieve the sharpest possible image.
  • Be careful when using the coarse adjustment knob, hitting the slide with the objective can scratch the objective or crack the slide.

CCD Camera: 

 

  • Camera can be rotated using the adjustable pin below the lens.

 

 

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