MicrobeHunter.com Microscopy Forum

General question. Why are slides so thin? Can i use thicker glass?

Many Victorian slides were much thicker

I think the modern standard is mostly to do with economy and weight reduction.

MichaelG.

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Edit: In a recent selection of twelve slides ...
The thinnest was 0.8mm, and the thickest was 2.33mm

The slide thickness is part of the condenser design parameters. A 2mm slide will work to some degree but illumination couldn't be set up as intended.
Are slides difficult to get for you?

Somewhere in the forum i read the optimum slide thickness for the best resolution is 1mm.

Standard slides are easy but I use them for petrology thin sections and they are fragile. I have some 2mm glass which also allows me to cut custom sizes. I like 30 x 75. Now you mention the condenser, I will experiment

A condenser that is not intended for oil immersion might be better as it usually has more distance to the slide. Like a n.a. 0,6 or 0,9 condenser.