Nosepiecemicroscope function

N Back to top Numerical Aperture (NA), The maximum angle from which it can accept light. Lenses that accept light from higher angles have greater resolving power, thus NA defines resolving power. The maximum NA of objectives is 1.4, and it is limited by the physics of light and the refractive index of glass.

Functionofmicroscope

NOTE: Do not place ND filters in series with their surfaces parallel. Parallel surfaces may cause multiple internal surface reflections which can combine to cause an increase in transmittance; this is especially true of the metallic type filters.

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Microscope Anatomy & Function Glossary Back to Quicktime VR Microscope   A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z   A Back to top   B Back to top Base, The base is the foundation on which the microscope stand is built. It is important that the base is relatively large, stable, and massive. When you are setting up a microscope for the first time ensure that the surface on which it is placed is level.     C Back to top Condenser, The condenser under the stage focuses the light on the specimen, adjusts the amount of light on the specimen, and shapes the cone of light entering the objective. One way to think about the condenser is as a light "pump" that concentrates light onto the specimen.   The condenser has an iris diaphragm that controls the angle of the beam of light focused onto the specimen. The iris diaphram is an adjustable shutter which allows you to adjust the amount of light passing through the condenser. The angle determines the Numerical Aperture (NA) of the condenser. This diaphragm, generally called the aperture diaphragm, is one of the most important controls on the microscope.   Cover slip, Most objectives are designed for use with a cover slip between the objective and the specimen. The cover slip becomes part of the optical system, and its thickness is critical for optimal perfomance of the objective. The cover slip thickness designation on most objective lenses is 0.17 mm or 170 microns. D Back to top   E Back to top   F Back to top Focus (coarse), The coarse focus knob is used to bring the specimen into approximate or near focus.   Focus (fine), Use the fine focus knob to sharpen the focus quality of the image after it has been brought into focus with the coarse focus knob.   G Back to top   H Back to top   I Back to top Illuminator, There is an illuminator built into the base of most microscopes. The purpose of the illuminator is to provide even, high intensity light at the place of the field aperture, so that light can travel through the condensor to the specimen.   J Back to top   K Back to top   L Back to top   M Back to top Magnification, The degree to which the image of the specimen is enlarged by the objective. For example, 40 specifies 40 times (40x) the actual size of the specimen. As magnification increases, resolution (NA) must also increase so that more information can be obtained. Magnification without increased resolution yields no additional information and is called "empty magnification."   N Back to top Numerical Aperture (NA), The maximum angle from which it can accept light. Lenses that accept light from higher angles have greater resolving power, thus NA defines resolving power. The maximum NA of objectives is 1.4, and it is limited by the physics of light and the refractive index of glass.   O Back to top Objective Lens, The objective lens is the single most important component of the microscope. Together with the condenser, it determines the resolution that the microscope's capability. Learning how to use the correct objective for a particular application is a prerequisite for good microscopy.   Important information describing the objective lens is engraved on the side of its barrel. This is the best performance the objective is capable of and it will only yield this performance when used properly. Ocular Lenses, The ocular lenses are the lens closest to the eye and usually have a 10x magnification. Since light microscopes use binocular lenses there is a lens for each eye. It is important to adjust the distance between the microscope oculars, so that it matches your interpupillary distance. This will yield better image quality and reduce eye strain.   P Back to top   Plan, There are many different kinds of objective lenses. Common designations include "plan" for flat field, "achromat" for partially color-corrected, and "apochromat" for highly color corrected. These designations may become combined as in "plan achromat." Parfocal, The specimen is focused for all objectives if it is focused for one objective. In other words, once the specimen is focused under one objective it will be in approximate focus under other objectives. Q Back to top   R Back to top   S Back to top Stage, The stage is the platform that supports the specimen. It is usually quite large to minimize vibration and it attaches to the microscope stand. The stage has an opening for the illuminating beam of light to pass through.   A spring loaded clip holds the specimen slide in place on the stage. Other types of stage clips are designed for use with petri-dishes, multiwell plates, or other specialized chambers.   Most stages have a rack and pinion mechanism that can move the specimen slide in two perpendicular (X - Y) directions. On many microscopes, stage movement is controlled using two concentric knobs located to the side or below the stage.   Stand, The stand is the basic structure of the microscope to which everything is attached. The stand, also known as the arm, is the part of the microscope that you grab to transport the microscope.   T Back to top Tube, the tube houses many of the optical components of the microscope. The optical tube length of most biomedical microscopes is 160 millimeters but tube geometry varies considerably due to relay lenses and proprietary design features. In most modern microscopes the tube is folded to make the microscope easier to use.   Early microscopes had straight tubes such as this model built by Robert Hooke in the mid 17th century. Tube length, describes the optical tube length for which the objective was designed. This is 160 mm (6.3 inches) for modern biomedical microscopes.   Turret, Most microscopes have several objective lenses mounted on a rotating turret to facilitate changing lenses. An audible click identifies the correct position for each lens as it swings into place. When the turret is rotated, it should be grasped by the ring around its edge, and not by the objectives. Using the objectives as handles can de-center and possibly damage them. U Back to top   V Back to top   W Back to top   X Back to top   Y Back to top   Z Back to top   Back to Quicktime VR Microscope

Stage clipsmicroscope function

Parfocal, The specimen is focused for all objectives if it is focused for one objective. In other words, once the specimen is focused under one objective it will be in approximate focus under other objectives.

Neutral Density filters can be stacked in series to produce higher densities. The total optical density is the sum of the individual densities. The total transmittance of a stack of neutral density filters is the product of the transmittance of each filter.

T Back to top Tube, the tube houses many of the optical components of the microscope. The optical tube length of most biomedical microscopes is 160 millimeters but tube geometry varies considerably due to relay lenses and proprietary design features. In most modern microscopes the tube is folded to make the microscope easier to use.   Early microscopes had straight tubes such as this model built by Robert Hooke in the mid 17th century. Tube length, describes the optical tube length for which the objective was designed. This is 160 mm (6.3 inches) for modern biomedical microscopes.   Turret, Most microscopes have several objective lenses mounted on a rotating turret to facilitate changing lenses. An audible click identifies the correct position for each lens as it swings into place. When the turret is rotated, it should be grasped by the ring around its edge, and not by the objectives. Using the objectives as handles can de-center and possibly damage them.

Microscopeparts and functions pdf

M Back to top Magnification, The degree to which the image of the specimen is enlarged by the objective. For example, 40 specifies 40 times (40x) the actual size of the specimen. As magnification increases, resolution (NA) must also increase so that more information can be obtained. Magnification without increased resolution yields no additional information and is called "empty magnification."

B Back to top Base, The base is the foundation on which the microscope stand is built. It is important that the base is relatively large, stable, and massive. When you are setting up a microscope for the first time ensure that the surface on which it is placed is level.

I Back to top Illuminator, There is an illuminator built into the base of most microscopes. The purpose of the illuminator is to provide even, high intensity light at the place of the field aperture, so that light can travel through the condensor to the specimen.

Shop and browse all of our standard Neutral Density Filter models, or select a product series below for more information on our products and capabilities.

When the turret is rotated, it should be grasped by the ring around its edge, and not by the objectives. Using the objectives as handles can de-center and possibly damage them.

Objective lensmicroscope function

The condenser has an iris diaphragm that controls the angle of the beam of light focused onto the specimen. The iris diaphram is an adjustable shutter which allows you to adjust the amount of light passing through the condenser. The angle determines the Numerical Aperture (NA) of the condenser. This diaphragm, generally called the aperture diaphragm, is one of the most important controls on the microscope.   Cover slip, Most objectives are designed for use with a cover slip between the objective and the specimen. The cover slip becomes part of the optical system, and its thickness is critical for optimal perfomance of the objective. The cover slip thickness designation on most objective lenses is 0.17 mm or 170 microns.

Armmicroscope function

These ND filters attenuate by absorption (and Fresnel reflection, the constant reflection from the air-glass interfaces). The absorption is iconic in anature so this type of density filter follows the Beer and Bouguer"s Laws.

Optical Density (OD) is defined as the logarithm to the base ten of the ratio of the power of the incident beam to that of the exiting beam. The optical density can be convert to transmittance using the following equations:

The metallic ND filters use a thin coating of inconel on a glass or fused silica substrate. The inconel material contains a number of different elements such as nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), and iron (Fe). Careful control of the alloy composition and vacuum deposition produces coatings which are spectral neutral over a wide wavelength range. The metallic ND filters are generally more neutral comparing to the absorptive type of ND filters. UV Fused silica substrate are useful in the ultraviolet spectrum, while the cost effective B 270 optical glass substrate provides excellent performance in the visible and Near-IR spectrum range. Always use these filters with the reflective side facing the radiation source. The metallic ND filters withstand higher power and thermal shock better comparing to the absorptive type. These filters are spectrally neutral beyond 2 µm.

S Back to top Stage, The stage is the platform that supports the specimen. It is usually quite large to minimize vibration and it attaches to the microscope stand. The stage has an opening for the illuminating beam of light to pass through.   A spring loaded clip holds the specimen slide in place on the stage. Other types of stage clips are designed for use with petri-dishes, multiwell plates, or other specialized chambers.   Most stages have a rack and pinion mechanism that can move the specimen slide in two perpendicular (X - Y) directions. On many microscopes, stage movement is controlled using two concentric knobs located to the side or below the stage.   Stand, The stand is the basic structure of the microscope to which everything is attached. The stand, also known as the arm, is the part of the microscope that you grab to transport the microscope.

F Back to top Focus (coarse), The coarse focus knob is used to bring the specimen into approximate or near focus.   Focus (fine), Use the fine focus knob to sharpen the focus quality of the image after it has been brought into focus with the coarse focus knob.

Eyepiecemicroscope function

C Back to top Condenser, The condenser under the stage focuses the light on the specimen, adjusts the amount of light on the specimen, and shapes the cone of light entering the objective. One way to think about the condenser is as a light "pump" that concentrates light onto the specimen.

O Back to top Objective Lens, The objective lens is the single most important component of the microscope. Together with the condenser, it determines the resolution that the microscope's capability. Learning how to use the correct objective for a particular application is a prerequisite for good microscopy.   Important information describing the objective lens is engraved on the side of its barrel. This is the best performance the objective is capable of and it will only yield this performance when used properly. Ocular Lenses, The ocular lenses are the lens closest to the eye and usually have a 10x magnification. Since light microscopes use binocular lenses there is a lens for each eye. It is important to adjust the distance between the microscope oculars, so that it matches your interpupillary distance. This will yield better image quality and reduce eye strain.

Solid glass absorptive ND filters are relatively neutral in the 400 to 700 nm range. They are usable from 350 nm to 2500 nm, but the transmittance is different from that expected from the density value. Since most of the incident energy is absorbed, there filters produce fewer problems from multiple reflected beams comparing to the metallic type, but they are intended only for use with lower power sources.

Microscopeparts and functions

Neutral density (ND) filters are used to equally attenuate the intensity of a light beam over a wide wavelength range. ND filters range from colorless to gray in appearance. Metallic neutral density filters provide a relatively consistent degree of attenuation over a wide spectral band. We offer a variety of catalog ND filters for UV/VIS applications including absorptive, metallic on glass or fused-silica, and variable linear or circular, as well as filters for infrared applications.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

P Back to top   Plan, There are many different kinds of objective lenses. Common designations include "plan" for flat field, "achromat" for partially color-corrected, and "apochromat" for highly color corrected. These designations may become combined as in "plan achromat."

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