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Archive for the ‘Metallurgical Microscopes’ Category

In the world of microscopy – the field on the use of microscopes to view specimens and objects – lighting is of utmost importance. Whatever the kind of microscope you use – a metallurgical microscope or a fluorescent microscope – you need to have the correct illumination. You need to have the ideal light not only to see the specimen in question but to see it on its “natural state” as well. You need to get an image without the unnecessary glare or “ghost images.”

In the earlier times, there were a lot of issues on sample illumination. As a result, the images seen under microscope come out as problematic, uneven, hazy, and to some extent, incorrect. All these problems are due to incorrect or poor lighting.

It was in 1893 when almost all issues of illumination were addressed. Thank goodness for the Kohler illumination! This technique was designed by August Karl Johann Valentin K”hler, a German professor. He was also an employee of the world famous Carl Zeiss Company, the leader in optical systems and engineering.

The Kohler Illumination is known for optimizing microscopic resolution simply by illuminating the field of view in an even manner. In simple terms, this means that you will get the ideal illumination if all the elements and parts of the microscope are properly aligned.

The Kohler Illumination therefore revolutionized the design of the light microscope – the type that involves diffraction, refraction and reflection. It somehow perfects the use of light in examining specimens.

Here are some of the most important “light hurdles” that the Kohler Illumination overcame:

The Filament Image

Years before the invention of the Kohler Illumination, the filament of the bulb used in lighting up the sample being examined is visible in the sample plane. Now, if you were a scientist, or a student, you wouldn’t want a distraction in your sample plane. If this was a test, and you didn’t realize that it was the filament showing up in your sample plane, you’d answer the question incorrectly.

Numerous attempts were undertaken to get rid of that filament image. First, people started using an opal bulb. Then they also tried lowering the power of the light source. This way, the image reflected by the light is not sharp enough to register itself in the sample plane as well. Of course, there’s that opal glass diffuser – to cause a certain amount of light scattering.

Still, these attempts were not perfect in eliminating the filament image. In addition, they cause even more problems. For instance, if you reduce power of the light source, you could have reduced quality of light as well. As a result, you might not be able to clearly see the specimen in your sample plate. Then there’s that question on uniformity of light.

With the Kohler Illumination, however, the light microscope saw a different kind of “light.” It was able to produce light at optimum levels. It was able to answer lighting issues – that of the filament image, most especially.

Indeed, thank goodness for the Kohler Illumination!

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What do you know about inverted microscopes?

Inverteds (as they are called) got their name because the recognized standard – the upright microscope – works in a specific way, and is the most easily recognized orientation of a microscope. Upright microscopes look down at specimens with light source below it. These are the types of microscopes usually used by medical technologies doing your blood work; inverted ones, on the other hand, look up the specimen with light sources above the specimen.

Although the equipment was first introduced in the 19th century, it saw use in the observation of marine life only during the first years of the 20th century. During World War II, the inverted microscope was used to analyze solid, heavy metals like iron and steel. These days, inverteds are useful in many types of research that use large, heavy or otherwise bulky samples requiring a wide berth of geometry.

Aquatic Research and Sciences

Although the ecology in deep seas can be recreated for observation of a small bowl or a miniature aquarium, the container holding the specimen requires a relatively wide staging. Additionally, aquatic live and living organisms are prone to gravity and tend to settle down the base of the container. This makes it ideal to place the sample or its container above to allow for more flexibility and to be able to conduct observations in more natural circumstances.

Modern Microscopes

By now, you’d have surmised that inverteds are useful in several fields, particularly in research observations. Besides aquatic and materials research, inverteds are also useful in observing tissue culture on petri dishes — a common method used in biological sciences and medicines research. Modern inverted microscopes however, are designed for flexibility, with the user in mind.

Today, most modern microscopes are able to multi-task, with the whole ensemble being a collection of interchangeable parts that can be fitted together to serve a purpose. Manufacturers have worked hard and are working hard to meet the demands of the various sectors and users of microscopes. They are also integrating microscopy techniques to create separable modules.

In this day and age, the more modular a microscope is, the more economical it is. Manufacturers make a wide range of modules to suit many purposes across disciplines, users, and even across different microscopy techniques. So, if you find an inverted microscope with an epi-flourescent attachment, don’t be surprised. That’s evolution at work.

Technology Integration

Besides the modularization of inverted microscopes, new designs include internal light sources that are below or parallel to the specimen. Most viewing and recording controls are still below the sample. This new design allows you to put specimens directly on top of the microscope. This, in turn, allows you to manipulate sample placement in a wide geometry of choices for total flexibility.

More advanced models integrate video capabilities for specimen scanning and direct digital or analog data recording. This is very useful in various laboratories that require fast, data analysis. Often, these video microscopes are integrated into the laboratories digital or automated systems for sample analysis.

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