Microscope Skills

Horizontal stage adjusting knob

Stage Knob

Total Magnification

Objective Lens Power x Ocular Lens (Eyepiece) Power.

Which knob sharply focuses an image?

Fine Focus Knob

Which objective should be in place when putting the microscope up for storage?

The 4x objective.

Stereo Microscope

Also known as a dissecting microscope, it provides magnification up to 300x and is used to view large objects that are too small to see with the naked eye.

Confocal Microscope

Uses laser light and a dichromatic mirror to create 3D images, producing clearer resolution than compound microscopes.

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

Uses electrons to create a 3D image from a vacuum-sealed and coated specimen, favored in research for its high magnification.

Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

Similar to SEM, uses electrons to produce a 2D image of specimens, commonly used for observing metals and nanotechnology.

Microscope care principle 1

Carry microscopes with two hands: one around the arm and one under the base.

Microscope care principle 2

Start experiments with the objective lens set to the lowest power and the stage on the lowest setting.

Microscope care principle 3

Look at the microscope from the side when adjusting to avoid damage.

Microscope care principle 4

Always clean microscope objective lenses with special lens paper before use.

Microscope care principle 5

After finishing, return the stage to the lowest position and the objective lens to scanning power before removing slides.

1.

low objective

2.

Revolving Nosepiece

3.

High Power Objective

4.

Stage Control Knobs

5.

Mechanical Stage

6.

Iris Diaphragm

7.

Eye Piece

8.

Arm

9.

Coarse Adjustment

10.

Fine Adjustment

11.

Base

12.

Substrate Illuminator

Arm

Connects the head to the base, the place you hold onto when carrying the microscope

Base

The bottom of the microscope, a hand should be under this portion when carrying the microscope

Coarse Adjustment

Large knob on the arm of the microscope, moves the stage up or down in large increments.

Condenser

Located under the stage, directs the beam of light onto the specimen

Eye Piece

The part of the microscope you look into, contains the ocular lens

Fine Adjustment

Smaller knob in the middle of the coarse adjustment, moves the stage up or down in small increments

High Power Objective

Objective lens that is identified as the 40x

Iris Diaphragm

Controls the amount of light that enters the specimen, opens and closes

Low Power Objective

Objective lens that is identified as the 10x

Mechanical Stage

Platform that supports the slide and has clips or a clamp to hold the slide in place

Revolving Nosepiece

Rotating piece below the head that controls the movement of the objective lens

Scanning Objective

Objective lends that is identified as the 4x

Stage Control Knobs

Knobs that move the stage from right to left, and toward and away from the viewer

Substage Illuminator

Light source located in the microscope base