MICRCOSCOPE

A microscope is a magnifying instrument. The magnied image of the object (specimen) is rst
produced by a lens close to the object called the objective. This collects light from the specimen
and forms the primary image. A second lens near the eye called the eyepiece enlarges the
primary image, converting it into one that can enter the pupil of the eye.

PARTS

OBJECTIVES
The objective lenses are the most important part the microscope, determining the various
magnications possible and dening t he optical quality achievable to the rest of the instrument.
Typically X10 (low power), X40 (high power) and X100 (oil immersion) objective lenses are
attached to a rotating turret. The refractive index of air is 1.0 whereas glass and cedar wood oil
is 1.5. If the refractive index of all media is same, it results in better magnification.
The magnication of the objective multiplied by that of the eyepiece gives the total
magnication of the image seen in microscopes.
Examples
Total magnication
Objective magnication
Eyepiece magnication
010
040
100

X
X
X

100
10
10

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=
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100 diameters
400 diameters
1000 diameters

EYEPIECES

The eyepieces further magnify the image produced by the objective lenses, usually by a
factor of x10. The image they produce is focused at innity, which allows the operator to
comfortably view the image as if in the distance. High eyepoint eyepieces are useful for
spectacle wearers because they are designed to allow the full image to be viewed from several
centimetres above the eyepiece.
CONDENSER
The condenser is an important part of the illumination system. When correctly adjusted,
it focuses a uniform cone of light onto the specimen (at low magnications a swing out lens
above the condenser may have to be removed from the light path to ensure that the whole
eld of view is illuminated). Correct adjustment of the condenser diaphragm ensures an
optimal balance of image resolution, contrast and depth of eld.
DIAPHRAGM
The eld diaphragm is centered and its aperture adjusted so that only the observed
region of the specimen is illuminated. This minimizes unnecessary light scatter otherwise
produced within the unobserved outer regions of the specimen.

LIGHT SOURCE
The most commonly used light source in modern laboratory microscopes is a lowvoltage tungsten/halogen bulb. This provides stable and intense illumination in the visible
spectrum. The bulb may be housed within the body of the microscope or within an external
lamp housing.
USE OF MICROSCOPE
1- Position the microscope correctly and identify the essential parts.
2- Before switching on the microscope turn the lamp brilliance control to its lowest
setting, then increase it to about three quarters of its power.
3- Bring the 10X objective into place.
4- Make sure the underside of the specimen slide and surface of the stage are completely
dry and clean.
5- Place the specimen on the stage in the slide holder.
6- Focus the specimen with the 10X objective.
7- Focus the condenser and leave it in this position for all objectives.
8- If the microscope is not tted with a presented condenser, check the centering of the
condenser.
9- Examine the specimen with the 10X objective. Obtain the best image by:
closing the iris about two thirds,
adjusting the lamp brightness control to give good illumination with the
minimum of glare.
10- Use the mechanical stage to examine the specimen systematically.
11- Examine the specimen with the 40X objective.
Obtain the best image by:
opening the iris more,
increasing the illumination.
12- Examine the specimen with the 100X objective. Move the 40X objective to the side,
place a drop of oil on the specimen and bring the 100X objective into position.
Obtain the best image by:
opening the iris fully,
increasing the illumination.
To prevent damage to the 100X objective lens, move the objective to one side before
removing the specimen.

Cross-sectional diagram of a typical laboratory microscope