March 3, 2008

What Is A Binocular Light Microscope?

A binocular light microscope is one of the most widely used microscopes especially in biological research. In light microscopes visible light is used to magnify and study microscopic images and ‘binocular’ means that device is adapted for use by two eyes. The light microscope is also referred to as the optical microscope which is one of the simplest forms of microscopes.

Types Of Optical Or Binocular Light Microscopes

Binocular light microscope can be either simple or compound. A simple light microscope comprises of a single convex lens which despite its simplicity has the ability to produce detailed images. In compound light microscopes there are many lenses that magnify the image. These many lenses reduce optical aberrations and in some instruments a lamp is also used to provide stable illumination.

Parts Of A Binocular Light Microscope

An important part is the eyepiece. It comprises of a cylinder with about a couple of lenses or more that are used to bring the image to focus. These eyepieces are interchangeable and come with varying degrees of magnifications. In top end microscopes the magnification of the eyepiece and the objective lens is similar and ensures better quality images.

The objective lens is attached to the lower end of the microscope. There may be more than a couple of objective lenses which can be selected depending upon the kind of magnification required by the user. The various lenses include low power and high power lenses, scanning lenses and oil immersion lenses.

Stageis the area where the object being studied is placed. It has a hole in the center to allow passage of light that will illuminate the specimen.

Some instruments have mirrors to direct daylight, but these are in very basic models only. Most of the binocular light microscopes have a source of illumination that is focused through a condenser. The condenser has provisions to adjust the quality and the intensity of the illumination. Most of the instruments use an Abbe Condenser. It is always better to use a source of light that is soft and not harsh. Incandescent or tungsten lights are not recommended as they may dry the specimen being observed. Soft fluorescent lights are recommended.

Light Microscopic Techniques

Brightfield Microscopy: In this technique light is used to magnify stained specimens or specimens that have contrasting colors. Köhler illumination is used to ensure that the specimen is properly illuminated. This ensures that the specimen is evenly illuminated.

Dark Field Microscopy: In this technique the image is obliquely illuminated. Direct light does not fall on the objective lenses. The specimen is thus displayed as a bright object in a dark background.

Rheinberg Illumination: This technique is similar to Dark field microscopy but the specimen is optically stained using a series of filters.

There are other techniques such as the Phase Contrast, Polarised Light, Differential Interference Contrast and Fluorescence Microscopy.

You can shop for a binocular light microscope online or visit a few local dealers. It is recommended that you know your needs in order to select the right kind of binocular light microscope. It is also recommended that you ask for a demo and try the microscope before you decide to purchase it. When you compare features and rates you will be able to get an instrument of good quality that does not ruin your budget. You can enjoy your work if you have an instrument that is easy to use and is of good quality.

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March 2, 2008

Information On A Light Microscope

Light microscope, as the name denotes, uses a light source to illuminate the specimen under examination. It can be of many types, like simple (single lens), compound (multiple lens), stereo microscopes, and digital microscopes. It is available with different levels of magnification, usually ranging between 20X and 1500X. The stereo microscopes however have a lower magnification range between 20X and 200X, as it is primarily used to study the surfaces of larger specimens.

Its Parts

Base- The microscope rests on this and this provides free standing
Stage- This is where the specimen or sample slide is placed for viewing. The slide is held with two metal clips
Aperture - Small opening on the stage. The sample is placed over the aperture for viewing and is held by the clips of the stage
Light source- It is situated below the stage. The light shines through the aperture and illuminates the sample.
Nosepiece- It is located above the stage. It holds the lenses, which are used to magnify the sample. The viewer can rotate the nosepiece for his convenience
Objectives- This is held by the nosepiece and have different magnification powers, usually from 2X to 15X or 20X
Arm- Connects the base to the upper parts of the microscope and can be used to carry the microscope
Coarse adjustment knob- It is located on the side of the microscope. It is used to focus the sample. The knob is used to move either the stage or the upper parts of the microscope.
Fine Adjustment Knob- It is located on the side. It is used to fine tune the image of the sample
Body- It holds the eyepiece and connects it to the nosepiece lenses.
Eyepiece- The sample is viewed by looking into this. It has a magnifying power of 10X

Guidelines to Follow While Using the Microscope

Eyes- Eyepieces should rest just below the eyes. The eyes should face downward at 30-45 degrees below the horizontal; interocular distance of eyepieces have to be adjusted to ensure that both the eyes focus comfortably
Back- The individual should sit erect; the entire body leans forward with the lower back and shoulder blades supported by the chair
Neck- Neck and head should be bent as little as possible, not more than 10 to 15 degrees below the horizontal
Arms/Wrist- Upper arms should be perpendicular to the floor, elbows to be close to the body; forearms parallel to the floor and wrists should be straight.
Legs- Feet should rest firmly on the floor or on a footrest. There should be equal pressure applied by the chair to the back of the thighs.

Care of the Microscope

A Light microscope can be quite expensive; hence, good amount of care should always be taken…

The microscope should be held by the stand only and never by the eyepiece holder
When unplugging the illuminator, hold the plug and not the cable
Turn the light off when not in use, as bulbs are quite expensive
The stage and lenses should be cleaned before putting away the microscope
Do not use a paper towel or any other material for cleaning. Use a good quality lens tissue or a 100% cotton swab to clean the optical surface.
Keep the instrument covered with a dust jacket when not in use
Focus smoothly. Do not try to speed up the process of focusing.

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March 1, 2008

Some Useful Tips On Buying A Microscope

Here are a few tips on buying a microscope that can come in handy when you purchase or are considering purchasing a microscope for yourself or for your intelligent child. When the right microscope is purchased you will have many hours of educational fun making you feel it is worth the price you paid for it.

Things To Consider While Purchasing A Microscope

One of the first tips on buying a microscope is to analyze why you need a microscope. For instance, if you desire to study pollen, algae, mold or bacteria you need to look for a compound monocular microscope. If you desire to study insects, leaves or even electronic parts, you may opt for a stereo microscope.

The next tip is to decide your budget. It is wise to initially invest in a basic model, till you are experienced enough to want to invest in one of the top-end models. Will you be investing in a brand new expensive model or are you willing to settle for a used microscope that is in good condition but costs less? You will also have to choose between one of the toy microscopes that look attractive, cost less but that are not very good to work with or a higher price quality microscope that will perform optimally and have a longer life expectancy. Avoid microscopes that come with plastic parts, they have a very short life. If you are opting for a second hand piece make sure that it belonged to another enthusiast and that it comes fully serviced. The piece may not be in good condition if it had been used in schools or other educational institutions.

Other tips on buying a microscope include doing some research to find out the various kinds of microscopes available. You can then compare rates and features as well as the quality of the microscopes. It is recommended that you seek guidance from a professional if you are in doubt about the kind of microscope that you need. Do consider if you prefer a monocular or a binocular microscope. Children will be comfortable working with monocular microscopes.

After selecting a dealer you need to quiz him about its features, advantages and about its scalability. You may wish to add accessories later and it will be better to buy a microscope that is upgradeable. One with an iris diaphragm is easier to work with than one with a disk diaphragm. Choose one that adheres to the DIN standards as it will be easier to replace malfunctioning parts. Ensure that it has both coarse and fine focus instead of only one of them or has an intermediate focus alone. Purchase a microscope that has a slip clutch. It will help reduce wear and tear on the instrument. Check if it has illumination and it will be best to opt for one with fluorescent light instead of a tungsten lamp that may be harsh on the specimen that you wish to study. Glass achromatic lenses will do just fine.

These are just a few tips on buying a microscope. It is up to you to carefully weigh all the options and analyze your needs as well as the features of the various microscopes before you make your choice. This will help you select the right model, with the right features at a price you are comfortable with.

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February 29, 2008

Cleaning With Microscope Wipes

What are microscope wipes? These are clean, clear, smudge free optical cleaning pads. Just as it is important to clean all your devices, cleaning your microscope is equally important. The most delicate part that needs the most care is the microscope lens. Microscope wipes take care of the lenses too.

It is often said that we live in the center of infinity. The Universe is endless and expanding. The stars that we see are light years away from us. However, there is another world right here on the Earth that is made up of such tiny things that we can not even look at them with our naked eyes. This world is as fascinating and dramatic as the world of astronomers. Understanding these tiny things can make us understand the working of the Universe itself. A microscope comes to our aid in this exciting journey of exploration.

Maintenance Of Microscopes

It is easy to shop for a microscope. Just choose the one that suits your needs and your pocket. Being an informed customer helps in this area. For children and the hobbyists, a high power microscope is very popular. Real microscopes with metal frames and glass optics can keep you engrossed, educated, and entertained for hours. However, one must know how to take good care of one’s microscope.

The essential ingredients for this task are:-

· Cotton swabs

· Ethanol or Methanol alcohol

· Window cleaner

· A 10X hand magnifier

· Microscope wipes (tissues)

The microscope parts must be cleaned with cotton swabs and alcohol every day. Any excess oil should be wiped off the surface.

On a weekly basis, you must unscrew all the objectives and remove them one at a time. The front lens should be cleaned using the cotton swab dipped in alcohol. The swab should be just moist and not drip. Start cleaning from the center of the lens. Keep on cleaning in a circular motion till you reach the edge of the lens. Discard the swab and look at the front lens through the magnifier. If there is still any dirt on the objective, examine it well. Is the dirt water based? In that case dip the swab in the window cleaner and clean the lens again. Start with the center, follow circular pattern and clean the entire lens. If it still looks hazy then clean it once again. Once you are sure that the lens is sparkling clean, replace it by screwing it back in. Under any circumstances take care that you do not screw it more than finger tight.

Now remove the slide holder. Unscrew the screws that hold it in place. Go ahead and wipe the stage with a microscope wipe dipped in alcohol. Repeat the cleaning process with the window cleaner. Make sure to clean the back of the slide holder. Once you are very sure that the stage has been cleaned to your satisfaction, replace the slide holder. Again ensure that you do not tighten the screws more than finger tight.

The next step is to clean the top of the condenser. Once more use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Similarly each eye piece should be cleaned with cotton swab and window cleaner. To clean the in-base lens use these wipes and the window cleaner.

Remember not to clean inside an objective, inside an eyepiece, and inside the condenser. Do not ever clean an optical surface with dry cotton swabs or dry microscope wipes.

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February 28, 2008

Economy Microscopes Can Give You High Quality At A Low Cost

You can get economy microscopes of many types and prices from several microscope dealers. There are many online companies that offer you microscopes that are very economical. These companies keep in mind your budget especially if you are a student or a first time user. It makes a lot of sense for you to start off with it before you can move on to higher quality and more costly models.

A Few Tips For You

For those of you who have never bought a microscope before, a few pointers may help you along the way. If you are going to be using a microscope for the first time then you will not have much knowledge about the equipment. You should read about different types of microscopes and their functions before you decide to buy one. It may be hard for you fathom that there are so many numerous types of microscopes manufactured today. Before I started reading about it even I never thought there could be so many. I have always seen one type of microscope in pictures so I thought, that was the only type you get.

I was surprised when I started reading more about them. You get stereo microscopes and compound microscopes. These are the basic types. You get different types of microscopes for specific purposes like biological and clinical research, metallurgical and industrial work. You have boom microscopes, scanning microscopes, dissecting microscopes and a whole lot more. It could make you dizzy just seeing all the different models.

Here’s what I did when first decided to buy a microscope. I checked out many different variants of microscopes and decided on a particular type based on what I wanted to examine. I wanted to see the details of small things like insect wings, petals and seeds. I wasn’t interested in going into depths of organisms to see tiny cells and stuff like that. So I decided that I needed a stereo microscope. Once I figured out what I wanted, I proceeded to check out economy microscopes. After all I was buying a microscope for the first time and didn’t want to spend too much money on it.

You’ll be surprised at the number of microscopes you can buy online. The easiest thing to do is to search the web until you find something you like. Some companies sell economy microscopes to promote a new product and others have special seasonal deals. You need to be alert to make use of these deals. There are some dealers who sell these microscopes throughout the year and you can be sure of getting something you want.

The advantage of economy microscopes is that you do not spend too much money on them. You can get instruments of very good quality, magnification power and resolution for a very reasonable price. As a first time user, you do not need a very professional model. You can get a good quality microscope with all the features you need at a lower price. You should keep in mind that a higher magnification will mean a higher cost. You can use a microscope with magnification of about 300x instead of say 1000x. This will save you money.

Once you have decided what you are looking for, you should check out the economy microscopes on sale and you will definitely get a good one for a very reasonable price.

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February 27, 2008

You Can Get A Variety Of Discount Microscopes For Sale

You can get many discount microscopes for sale from many companies and online stores. Most of these discount microscopes are aimed at students who need them for their school projects. They obviously cannot afford to buy very high end quality stuff so the best option for them is to look for discount ones. If you are looking for microscopes at discounted prices, then you should also check out the student category ones. These will give you good resolution and magnification, and be much easier on your pocket.

Cheap Microscopes

If you are looking for a cheap microscope, check out the discount microscopes for sale. They may not be as cheap as the plastic ones but are quite reasonably priced. They will also provide you with high quality and will last much longer than the cheap ones. This way even if you spend a little more, you have the satisfaction of knowing that it is worth the cost because it will not get ruined very soon.

Student Category Microscopes

You will be surprised at the variety of microscopes you can get at discount prices. You can get biological compound microscopes which have a single eyepiece. These give you a 2-dimensional view and have excellent resolution and high power magnification. These are perfect for viewing biological samples like blood cells and bacteria. You can also get stereo microscopes which are low power microscopes. The magnification and resolution is not very high but it has a greater depth perception. They come with two or three eyepieces and give you a 3-dimensional view. These are used to view much bigger specimens like small insects and leaves. These are not very expensive and will suit a student’s needs perfectly.

Professional Microscopes

There are many professional discount microscopes for sale as well. If you need microscopes for clinical, industrial or research work, you can get them at a discount price too. You can get professional compound and stereo microscopes at great prices. If you need something more specific, you can find them by doing a more intense search. Many companies are offering discount microscopes of all categories. Once you know what you are looking for, you will surely find something that is suitable to your needs. You can find biological, metallurgical and petrographic microscopes among other types.

These professional microscopes may be very expensive because of their specific functions. They need to have extremely high magnifying power and resolution. Even the material they are made of may be expensive to ensure its sturdiness. The lenses, lights and diaphragm need to be of the best quality. If you need to buy a microscope for your professional needs it may turn out to be rather costly purchase so it would be better for you to check out discounted microscopes for sale.

You should not forget about the accessories when you are buying a microscope. The main microscope along with accessories may cost you a bomb from regular stores. Accessories include lens, diaphragm, stand, condenser, illuminators and many more. You need to have an idea of all the things you will need before you buy a microscope. Many companies offer accessories at discount prices as well. It makes it much easier for you to buy everything from one place. You can find many discount microscopes for sale along with their accessories in many online stores.

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February 26, 2008

Microscopes That Work With Computers

Have you used microscopes that work with computers? Do you need to connect your microscope to your personal computer? The good news is that you don’t have to be a computer geek or an expert in photography to send images from your microscope to your computer. Digital microscopes and the accompanying accessories are pretty user friendly and highly affordable. It can provide hours of fun besides being extremely useful. People who already own microscopes can easily add camera capability to it. Several types of digital microscope eyepieces are available in the market now.

Connectivity Of Computers And Microscopes

Microscopes that work with computers are easily available. However, the field of computer microscopy is slightly complicated. There are digital camera integrated microscopes that are extremely expensive. Such cameras allow very few options to the person using such a microscope, especially since the digital technology becomes obsolete very quickly. If your digital camera integrated microscope suffers a mechanical failure, you need to visit the dealer who sold you the microscope in the first place. Such deals work out to be expensive even for the high budget laboratories.

The other option is to go in for a microscope that is best for your required needs. Instead of buying an integrated piece, you can independently buy a microscope camera. You can choose the pixel resolution, processing speed and the price. You can also decide on the kind of video equipment to buy. Such a microscope camera can be connected with a variety of different microscopes. All you need to ensure is that the necessary phototube is included for the trinocular photography port on the microscope. This is the most important part. A microscope camera is first connected to the trinocular photography port of the microscope and then to a computer via the USB port.

Many types of cameras are available that can be connected with a microscope that works with computer. It is understood that a higher grade camera will have a better viewing resolution and better image capture. Such a camera will also have a digital video. A digital video is useful as it displays real time imaging on the computer. Such a real time image is great for future reference in relation to a particular microscopic specimen. If you already own a digital camera and wish to connect it to your microscope, you need to own a microscope that has a camera adapter.

Another option is to have a USB microscope. A USB microscope is also like a digital microscope. Images can be viewed, saved and printed on a computer using both types of microscopes. The major difference is that most USB microscopes can be used in a traditional manner, as well as a hand held device. That is a great advantage. This way you can examine even those objects that do not come under the lens of a traditional microscope.

Here, you would need a USB microscope and a computer to function efficiently. Even a television set can be used to view the images. You would need to load your microscope’s software on to the computer’s hard drive. The microscope’s cable can be plugged into any of the USB ports on the computer, or at the back of a television. Now whatever image you capture through your microscope would get displayed on the computer monitor, or the television screen. Now it is up to you if you want to save that image or not. It is as simple as that. Sometimes you tend to miss some details in first viewing, so it is better to save the images; you can always delete them later.

Microscopes that work with computers have definitely revolutionized the way scientific community works.

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February 25, 2008

About Microscope Prism Repair

A microscope is a high precision instrument. Utmost care is required to preserve its accuracy. Such instruments require the right amount of maintenance, as the user services not many parts. Proper maintenance of the microscope is required in order to avoid damage to its lenses. Microscope prism repair requires an expert to work on. You should never open the prism or remove it. This can completely alter the alignment of the device and will then have to be sent to its manufacture for repair.

Remove Dust

You can remove dust with an artist brush or airbrush, which has thin bristles. This should be done before wiping or rubbing the lenses, otherwise you can cause scratches on the lenses
In order to remove dust from the outer surface, use a soft brush or an airbrush. A lens cleaning fluid recommended by the manufacturer can also be used if the problem persists. You can also clean the surface with a clean silk cloth or a muslin cloth after washing the cloth well
If there is dust inside the objective, unscrew the nosepiece and clean it with an air brush or soft brush
For dust inside the eyepiece, unscrew the top most lens of the eyepiece and remove the dust with an artist’s brush or airbrush. Lenses can also be cleaned with a clean cotton swab, which is moistened with lens cleaning fluid or distilled water
If there is dust on the surface of the prism, the observation tube is removed, and the surface of the prism is cleaned with a soft tissue moistened with lens cleaning fluid or distilled water. The prisms should never be removed. Remember that this can alter the alignment of the device. Clean them by having them in their original position itself. The observation tube may be cleaned by blowing air through it.

Maintenance

You should never attempt to disassemble any part of the microscope for repair. You need to contact the manufacturer if there is any problem with your microscope and call for a qualified technician to attend to the problem. The microscope should always be handled with care. Never expose it to vibrations, moisture, dust, sharp knocks, or sunlight. Humidity may cause fungal growth on the surfaces of the lenses and prisms. This can cause a clouding effect and cause rusting of the metal parts of the microscope. Keep the glass surface clean, free from dirt and fingerprints to prevent fungal attack. You can use the air conditioner to lower the humidity level. For drying the microscope within a temperature-controlled cabinet, silica gel or anti mold strips can be used.

Always check that your prisms are aligned at the correct angles. Any error in the alignment of the prism can cause the images for your left and right eyes to be out of focus. You can buy a circuit repair microscope that can allow you to adjust the prisms. This will help you move the device from place to place, keep it in different positions without affecting the possibility of getting a good three-dimensional, superimposed image.

Microscope repair is highly technical and requires the expertise of a technician to do this job. If you feel there is a problem, call your manufacturing company for assistance. Do not attempt to clean or repair the prism. You could end up damaging the device and this could cost you heavily on its repairs.

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February 24, 2008

What To Look For When Buying A Microscope

Buying a microscope can be made easy with a bit of research on your part. This article will guide you with what you should look for while purchasing a microscope.

First of all, you’ve got to determine what you will be using the microscope to view, or the application, and also what you need to do with the image that you are viewing.

There are essentially three kinds of microscopes:

Stereo Microscopes - For Children And Beginners

These microscopes or stereoscopes are low power microscopes that are mainly used for the examination of rocks and gems, electrical circuits, insects, coins and for dissection purposes. Their magnification range usually varies from10x to 40x. These microscopes are a great way to get children interested in nature’s secrets. Because of their low magnification, children are able to see the objects clearly. It is better than being put off completely by seeing tiny objects under a high powered microscope. Imagine watching an insect’s body part under a high powered microscope, the body part will cause a hazy image, and the child will lose interest in the subject even before he’s started. In USA, there are many companies that offer very good Stereo Microscopes. You can go through websites of a few of them before you decide on buying one.

Compound Microscopes- For Educational Purposes

These are high power microscopes, used to view microscopic objects such as microscopic organisms, cells, blood samples, bacteria and prepared slides. Their magnification range starts at 40x and go up to 1000x. The viewing samples have to prepared to be thin enough for light to pass through them. Whole objects cannot be seen through this microscope. The light source lies beneath the stage that is the plate which is used to place the specimen on. Light passes through a condenser which redirects it and thus makes viewing the specimen much clearer and easier. It moves on to the objective and then to the eyepiece or eyepieces making the specimen visible to the viewer. Binocular microscopes don’t necessarily produce a better image but they do save you from eyestrain and are worth investing in if you have to use the microscope for long periods at a stretch. They are expensive, but are definitely worth the cost. However, if a layperson wishes to use a microscope, then one can go in for a monocular version.

Professional Microscopes- For Professional Or Industrial Use

These are extremely powerful or high powered microscopes used in industry, medicine and research. They consist of sophisticated optics and features like dark field, phase contrast, changeable halogen illumination, and koehler illumination.

We hope that after reading this article, you are more comfortable and at ease with the idea of purchasing a microscope. If you still require information, you can read articles on the net or in reputed scientific magazines and clear your doubts as soon as possible.

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February 23, 2008

Information On Where To Buy A Student Microscope

Microscopes For Younger Students

Microscopes are available to all age groups and for many purposes. There are children’s microscopes, microscopes for amateurs and microscopes for research students and even those that are available for industrial purposes. So how do you go about selecting one? A children’s microscope is low powered and its magnification is not as high as that compared to a stereo microscope or a professional microscope. A children’s microscope is a great gift for the budding scientist at home. You can encourage your child to study biology, physics, geology, chemistry or pharmacy with one of them. Your children will probably start off by viewing specimens of plants and animals under it. This does not need high magnification or a high powered microscope as it will not fit in the entire specimen due to the magnified size. So the child will get a hazy picture that could put her off from using it forever. Hence what you need is a low power microscope.

Microscopes For Senior Students

Then there are the higher powered microscopes with which you can study microscopic organisms, cells, bacteria, blood samples and prepared slides. You may want to invest in a binocular microscope rather than a monocular one if you are going to use it for extended periods so that your eyes don’t tire out easily. They may be a bit expensive but they’re worth the cost. However, for budding students, there are some great binocular microscopes available at very reasonable prices. Some companies even offer purchase assistance schemes to students.

The Essential Features Of A Student’s Microscope

Make sure the microscope has both fine and coarse focus settings, so as to be able to get all kinds of views from your microscope.

Now the purpose of a microscope is to let the student get a magnified view of the specimen, so do not settle for anything less than 400x and you could even get one with magnification of 1000x. However, make sure that you also get a good illumination source, like a fluorescent or halogen bulb.

To enable the student in not shifting his vision from the eyepiece while focusing it, the stage of the microscope should be mechanically operated.

Where To Get A Student Microscope

There are some great websites that offer excellent student microscopes at very competitive prices. These sites are American as well as British. If you wish to buy a microscope, all it takes is a little research on the web for a good site, and soon you’ll be saying “eureka, I found it”!

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