Know the Parts of a Phase Contrast Microscope

A phase contrast microscope is a specialty microscope that doesn’t need a stained specimen to be able to view the image. There is a wide range of uses for the phase contrast microscope. It has been widely-used for the examination of biological tissues.

The phase contrast microscope has the ability to enhance contrasts in transparent objects by giving way to the optical light path. It has many parts that make this type of microscope do its specific function. It can clearly show the different parts of transparent objects like cells and bacteria that are almost impossible to see when using the regular light microscope.

1. Oculars. There are usually two oculars or eyepieces in phase contrast microscopes. These are where the user looks into to see the image. They are made up of two lenses.

2. Body tube. This is where the oculars are attached to that connects to the lower part of the microscope.

3. Revolving nosepiece. The nosepiece may be revolved manually when choosing the right objective to be used. The nosepiece comes with different objectives and magnifications. Magnifications like 10, 43, and 97 times are included together with an empty slot for bright-field microscopy.

4. Arm. The arm serves as the grip when the user is carrying the microscope. It is also used to move the upper part of the microscope into different angles for convenience in its use.

5. Diaphragm. The diaphragm limits the field of vision by cutting off the edge of the field so that there is limitation of viewing only of the central and sharpest part of the image.

6. Coarse focusing knob. This knob allows the vertical movement of the objectives to bring it closer or farther from the specimen. Care must be taken when moving this knob as going too low may break the slide.

7. Fine focusing knob. This knob is used to give more precision to the image when the coarse focusing knob has been adjusted and the image is already seen. Once the image is visible, fine focusing should be done to make details of the image more visible.

8. Platform. The platform is the area where the specimen is placed for observation. It has a stage with a clip that fastens the slide to the platform so the slide will not move while being viewed.

9. Mechanical stage knobs. These knobs are used to adjust the slide up or down, left or right. This is to allow the user to view all parts of the specimen by moving the field of view around the whole specimen. This is also to allow the user to look for the precise part he wants to see.

10. Illuminator. The illuminator is a lamp or an internal light source that gives light to the specimen or objects and found at the base of the microscope. It gives highlights and shadows at the right places so that the image is enhanced by creating a three-dimensional effect.

11. Filament bulb. The large ribbon type of filament bulb is part of the illuminator which may be focused at the condenser iris plane. Focusing is done by sliding the socket of the bulb mechanically inside and outside.

12. Turret condenser. Ground glass. The ground glass takes the place of the coil-filament bulbs. This is used to diffuse the light coming from the source.

13. Adjustable field iris. The iris controls the light coming in to give illumination to the specimen. It may be adjusted either to increase or decrease the light.

14. Mirror. The purpose of the mirror found at the bottom of the microscope is to fold the path of the optical rays so that they would hit a convenient space. It does not have to be of the best quality. All it does is give a light source coming from an external source.

15. Substage condenser. The condenser focuses the light reflected by the mirror so that it can be focused on the specimen above it. If high power objective is used, a condenser is necessary to avoid having an image that is dark and coarse, without the necessary details.

16. Diaphragm. The diaphragm will control the angle of the light coming from the condenser to give proper illumination to the specimen.

Now that you know the different parts of the phase contrast microscope, you are now ready to use one. But of course, other reading materials should be read that would give you the steps in the proper use of a microscope. Knowing the different component parts is an important step in learning about the microscope. Knowing the function of each part will make you know how to use it properly.

For more information, please visit http://www.phase-contrast-microscope.com