Posts of the Category: Microscopy Basics
This is a microscopy primer. Read these articles to get an overview over the subject matter.
Buying microscopes for children
What are some of the things to look out for when buying a microscope for children? Here is a FAQ which covers the essential points.
Phase Contrast vs. Bright Field Microscopy
Air is completely transparent, I hope you agree. And water is transparent. If this is indeed the case, then why is it possible to see air bubbles in water? The answer is, that the bubbles have a different refractive index than the surrounding medium, the water. Phase contrast microscopy is now capable of converting a [...]
Some Thoughts on Recreational / Amateur Microscopy (Part 2)
Today, I’d like to continue my thoughts on microscopy as a hobby. I tried to brainstorm a list of strengths and opportunities as well as areas of improvements. In a previous article I already mentioned that (in my personal view), recreational microscopy as not as well established as other recreational sciences. In particular, I compared [...]
Online Virtual Microscopes
I’d like to give you a quick evaluation of some online virtual microscopes and microscope simulations that I found. Write a comment, if I overlooked something and if you have further recommendations. Online Digital Microscope This virtual microscope allows the user to choose from a variety of plant, animal and microbe specimens. It is not [...]
Answering Reader Questions
Why is refractive index of mounting media important? The refractive index is important for several reasons. First, it influences the resolution of the image. Second, if the refractive index of the specimen is too similar to the refractive index of the mounting medium, then it may be difficult to see the specimen if it is [...]
Parts of a Microtome
Here I’m unpacking my new hand microtome and explaining the different parts. A hand microtome (or cylinder microtome) is a device used to make thin cuts of a specimen for microscopic observations. The video briefly illustrates the different parts of a hand microtome.
How to obtain the best resolution with your microscope
The resolution that a microscope is capable of achieving is probably the single most important factor that determines the quality of a microscopic image. Without a sufficiently high resolution, magnification is not possible without loss of quality. There are a variety of different factors that determine the achievable resolution. Some of these factors can not be actively influenced by the microscopist, others can. Some of the factors play a larger role, others a smaller one. In the following post, I want to summarize some of these factors.
Answering reader questions
And yet again it’s time to answer some reader questions What are the things that all types of microscopes have in common? Microscopes can be very different (see . I therefore limit the answer to light microscopes. Things that optical microscopes have in common include: Objectives, Oculars/eyepieces, stage (carries specimens), light source, focusing system. Does [...]
