Posts of the Category: Microscopy Basics
This is a microscopy primer. Read these articles to get an overview over the subject matter.
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. Read the following introductory post: . There are a variety of different factors that determine the achievable resolution. [...]
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 [...]
Q & A: What people searched for
In this post I’d like to address some of the search queries that people typed to find this web site. Naturally people typed many, many more search queries, most of the queries are made of 1 or 2 words. I selected the longer ones for this post. Q: What is the principal advantage of an [...]
5 Rules of buying a microscope
I’ve been repeatedly asked for advice concerning the purchase of microscopes of hobby and amateur purposes. The following rules should help you in your choice. Rule 1: Be weary about “department store” microscopes Enthusiasts who want to pick up the hobby frequently encounter their first microscopes in department stores and toy shops. If you are [...]
Bacteria in phase contrast
The four pictures on the right show different bacterial species in phase contrast. About phase contrast Bacteria are transparent and therefore difficult to see using regular bright-field microscopy. The bacterial cells will appear just as bright as the surounding medium and there is no color contrast. Phase contrast optics provides a solution. Phase contrast optics [...]
Introductory Microscopy Projects for Schools
Are you looking for simple microscopy projects for classrooms? Here is a list of ideas. Do not forget about safety measures!
Introducing the Microscope
Parts of a Microscope (Introducing the Microscope) Videos – Parts 1 and 2
Microscope Slides and Cover Glasses
This post gives an overview over common microscope slides and cover glass standards.
Timeline of Microscopy
The development and history of the optical microscope was one which stretched over a long period of time with many larger and smaller contributions. The following list highlights some of these milestones.