A lens that is specially designed to mount under the stage and which typically, moves in a vertical direction. An adjustable iris controls the diameter of the beam of light entering the lens system. Both by changing the size of this iris and by moving the lens toward or away from the stage, the diameter and focal point of the cone of light that goes through the specimen can be controlled. Abbe condensers are useful at magnifications above 400X where the condenser lens has a numerical aperture equal to or greater than the N.A. of the objective lens being used.
A lens that helps to correct the misalignment of light that occurs when it is refracted through a prism or lens. Since different color light refracts at different angles, an achromatic lens is made of different types of glass with varying indices of refraction. As a result, an improved color alignment is achieved although not as good as is achieved with plan or semi-plan objective lens. Most microscopes use achromatic lens with more exacting applications requiring plan or semi-plan objectives.
The part of the microscope that connects the eyepiece tube to the base. Articulated Arm Part of a boom microscope stand, an articulated arm has one or more joints to enable a greater variety of movement of the microscope head and, as a result, more versatile range of viewing options.
A microscope with a head that has two eyepiece lens. Nowadays, binocular is typically used to refer to compound or high power microscopes where the two eyepieces view through a single objective lens. A stereo (or low power microscope) may also have two eyepieces, but since each eyepiece views through a separate objective lens, the specimen appears in stereo (3-Dimensional). In order to distinguish from monocular or trinocular microscopes, we have included both types of binocular microscopes in our Binocular Microscope category.
Often referred to as the head, the body is the upper part of a microscope including, eyepieces and objectives. Most modern microscopes are modular in the sense that the same body can be used with different bases and vice versa.
A microscope base that incorporates an adjustable arm or boom and enables the body to be aligned in a variety of different positions. Used in commercial inspection applications.
The mathematical process of determining true distance?when using a reticle. Camera Adapter An adapter kit designed to enable a camera to fit on to the trinocular port of a microscope (23mm or 30mm port diameter). The camera connects to a step ring (or T-Mount) and then to the camera adapter.
A clamp that replaces the traditional base on the bottom of a boom microscope and enables the pole to be clamped on to the side of a work bench or table.
This is an adapter with a standard thread for mounting a lens to a camera. It fits into a trinocular port. The mechanical standard is 1? diameter, 32 TPI (threads per inch), male on the lens and female on the camera. The optical standard is that the image reaches the focal plane at 17.5mm past the edge of the lens? mounting threads.
A focusing system with both the coarse and fine focusing knobs mounted on the same axis. The coarse focus is typically the larger, outside knob and vice versa. On some coaxial systems, the fine adjustment is calibrated, allowing differential measurements to be recorded.
A microscope that enables side-by-side viewing of two different specimens. The microscope has two sets of objectives with a single set of eyepieces (monocular or binocular), often used in forensic science.
Originally used to describe a microscope with more than one objective lens, a compound microscope is now generally understood to be a high power microscope with multiple, selectable objective lens of varied magnifications. See stereo/low power.
A thin, square piece of glass or plastic placed over the specimen on a microscope slide. It flattens out liquid samples and helps single plane focusing.
a technique used to enhance the contrast in unstained specimens. It works on the principle of illuminating the sample with light that will not be collected by the objective lens, so not form part of the image. This produces the classic appearance of a dark, almost black, background with bright objects on it.
A circular iris that sits on the base of the microscope above the light source and reflects the light horizontally to the specimen, thereby achieving lateral illumination.
Deutsch Industrial Normen, an international standard, created in Germany, for objective lenses. DIN standard objectives are interchangeable between microscope manufacturers.
A type of microscope that uses electrons rather than light to create an image of the target. It has much higher magnification or resolving power than a normal light microscope, up to two million times, allowing it to see smaller objects and details.
Otherwise referred to as an ocular, the eyepiece is the lens nearest to your eye. Total magnification of a microscope is determined by the sum of the eyepiece magnification multiplied by that of the objective lens.
A stereo microscope designed for viewing gems and jewelry, typically incorporating an inclined pole, powerful zoom, darkfield plate and intense, variable lighting.
A special oil used with the 100X objective in order to concentrate the light and increase the resolution of the image. A drop of oil is placed on the cover slip and the objective is lowered until it touches the oil. There are two primary types of immersion oil Type A and Type B; Type B is more viscous.
Found on high power microscopes under the stage, the diaphragm is, typically, a five hole-disc with each hole having a different diameter. It is used to vary the light that passes through the stage opening and helps to adjust both the contrast and resolution of a specimen. It is particularly useful at higher powers.
A method of illumination named after August Kohler, the man who invented it. It is also known as double diaphragm illumination because it employs both a field and an aperture iris diaphragm to set up the illumination. If the light path is set up properly, you will have the advantages of an evenly illuminated field, a bright image without glare and minimum heating of the specimen.
The essence of a microscope is its ability to magnify a specimen. Total magnification of a microscope is determined by multiplying the magnification capability of the eyepiece lens by that of the objective lens.
A flat mechanism that sits on top of the stage and allows the viewer to move a specimen small distances, a task that is otherwise difficult at higher magnifications. Most mechanical stages are equipped with an X and Y axis so the viewer can see how far the slide has moved.
A measure of the diameter of the aperture compared to the focal length of a lens and ultimately, of the resolving power of a microscope. N. A. is equal to the index of refraction of the medium in which the object is placed multiplied by the sine of the angle made with the axis by the most oblique ray entering the instrument, the resolving power increasing as the product increases.
Typically, a 100X (or higher) objective lens designed to work with a drop of immersion oil. Parcentered When changing objectives, the image of the specimen stays centered. Most compound microscopes are parcentered.
When changing objectives, the image of the specimen stays in focus without needing to adjust the focusing knobs. Most compound microscopes are parfocal.
A contrast enhancing technique developed by Frits Zernike in 1953 for which he won the Nobel Prize in Physics. The technique shifts the light phase wavelength, thereby causing the the light deviated by the specimen to appear dark on a light background. It is useful for viewing transparent specimens such as living tissue cells.
A cordless or field microscope with a light source independent of 110/220V. Typically, includes a rechargeable LED light source so that it can be used in the field where 110/220V electric supply is unavailable.
A microscope stand composed of a base with a single vertical pole (or post). Typically, the body can move up and down as well as rotate round the pole.
A small glass circle, etched by laser with fine measurements and placed within the eyepiece in order to enable actual measurements of the specimen to be taken.
An extraneous light source that connects to the microscope and emits a ring of light for enhanced lighting. Ring lights are LED, fluorescent, halogen or fiber optic and are typically, used on boom microscopes.
A mechanical device on the focusing knob that allows the knob to slip if a viewer keeps turning the knob beyond its range of travel. Prevents damage from occurring to the focusing system.
Describes the connection between the body and base a stereo or low power microscope Stereo Microscope A low power microscope or dissecting microscope with a separate eyepiece and objective lens for each eye. These separate optical channels enable stereo or three-dimensional images of the specimen. See Compound Microscope.
A factory set adjustment to the focusing mechanism that ensures it is both, sufficiently easy to focus and sufficiently tight to ensure that the stage does not drift during the focusing process.
An alternative description for a nosepiece. Widefield Eyepiece An improved eyepiece lens with a broader diameter that enables a broader field of vision and greater ease of use.
