Microscope Skills

  • Horizontal stage adjusting knob

    • Stage Knob

  • Total Magnification

    • Objective Lens Power x Ocular Lens (Eyepiece) Power

  • Focus image knob

    • Fine Focus Knob

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

    • 4x


  • Stereo Microscope

    • The stereo microscope is often referred to as a dissecting microscope. The stereo microscope provides magnification up to 300x. It is used to look at items that are too large to view on the compound microscope but too small to be viewed by the naked eye. Specifically, stereo microscopes can help view texture and fine detail of objects.

  • Confocal Microscope

    • Unlike the stereo and compound microscopes, which use regular light to refract an image, the confocal microscope uses a laser light to scan prepared specimens. Using a dichromatic mirror, the microscope reflects the image on a computer. This allows the viewer to create multiple scans and 3D images of the specimen. While the magnification of a confocal microscope isn’t any better than a compound microscope, the image resolution is much clearer. This is why the confocal microscope is used frequently in cell biology.

  • Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

    • The scanning electron microscope, or SEM, uses electrons rather than light to create an image from a sample. There is a special preparation that SEM specimens must undergo. All specimens must be vacuumed sealed, so they are often dehydrated. Then they must be coated with a conductive material, such as gold. The SEM produces a black and white 3D image with greater magnification than most microscopes. SEM microscopes are favored among research scientists.

  • Transmission Electron Microscope

    • Very similar to a SEM, the Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), uses electrons to create an image of a specimen. The preparation for the TEM is the same as the SEM, but the image is created in 2D instead of 3D. Maintaining the high magnification ability, the TEM is used frequently in observing metals, materials, and nanotechnology.



Microscopes are costly. They can range from a few hundred dollars apiece to thousands of dollars. For this reason, it is essential that you care for the microscopes you use in lab. The following are key principles to follow.

  1. Microscopes should always be carried with two hands. One hand should be around the arm and the second hand should be firmly under the base of the microscope.

  2. Always begin your experiment by making sure the objective lens is in the lowest power (scanning) and that the stage is on the lowest setting (furthest from the objective lens).

  3. Always look at the microscope from the side when adjusting the objective lens or stage. This will ensure the objective lens and stage never comes together. This is the leading cause of damage to microscopes and slides.

  4. Always clean the microscope objective lenses with special microscope lens paper prior to use.

  5. When you are finished with the microscope, always place the stage back to the lowest position and the objective lens on scanning power. Do not remove slides until this is done.