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ILLUMINATOR – the built-in light source which provides the optical
system with light.
ILLUMINATOR INTENSITY CONTROL –Controls the illuminator’s
brightness.
IRIS DIAPHRAGM - a round multi-leaf device mounted below the
condenser which is controlled by a lever. It is similar to a camera
shutter and controls the amount of light entering the condenser,
allowing the user to control contrast.
MECHANICAL STAGE - an alternative to stage clips is a mechanical
stage. A mechanical stage holds the slide in place, allowing the user to
move the slide on any x/y axis through the manipulation of two control
knobs or a co- control mechanism. axial
NOSEPIECE - the revolving turret that holds the objective lenses,
permitting changes in magnification by rotating different powered
objective lenses into the optical path. The nosepiece must “click” into
place for the objectives to be in proper alignment.
OBJECTIVES - the DIN objectives are standard in the industry, with large
numerical aperture (N.A.) to permit maximum resolution. All objectives
are color-coded and parfocaled The 40XRD and the 100XRD are sealed .
to keep oil residue from seeping into the objective. These two
objectives have a spring loaded tip to prevent accidental breakage of
either the slide or front lens of the objective if they should come into
contact with each other.
ON/ OFF SWITCH - turns the illuminator on o or ff.
STAGE - the table of the microscope where the slide is placed for
viewing. This component moves upward and downward when the
focusing knobs are turned.
STAGE CLIPS - a pair of flexible metal clips attached by spring screws
that hold the slide in position on the stage.
IMPORTANT MICROSCOPY TERMS
APERTURE, ANGULAR - the angle (or cone) of light rays capable of
entering the front lens of the objective from a point in the object. By
increasing the angular aperture of an objective, more light rays from
the specimen can be taken in by the lens; hence the resolving power is
increased.
COMPOUND MICROSCOPE - a microscope having a primary magnifier
(the objective) and a second (the eyepiece) to both conduct light,
amplify magnification and convert the image into a field of view easily
seen by the human eye.
