Precisely gauging or calculating the measurements of different specimens is the job of a precision microscope. It is never an easy task to do and most people just do it because it’s a school or job requirement of some sort. Just imagine having to measure a paramecium or onion skin cells.  It’s taxing but this should not be the case.  Knowing how to properly use precision microscopes could make things easier…and more fun.

The birth of microscopy has given way to numerous other scientific discoveries which now make our lives better or easier.  Precision microscopes are now being used in the fields of medicine, dentistry, metallurgical testing, forensic science, glass and plastic manufacture, to name a few.  Due to these many uses of precision microscopes, it is but fitting that we should at least look at them on a different perspective.

Before starting off with slide preparations and setting up the precision microscope, it is also vital to arrange your work area.  Make sure that there is enough elbow room and that the ventilation and lighting are in good condition.

Know how to carry the microscope.  Those two hands have very good uses on microscope handling.  One should be placed on the base and the other should be on the arm.  This is the most secure way of handling the apparatus.  Next, the cover should now be removed and the microscope plugged in.  Be sure to tuck the cord safely (making sure that most of it is on the table) as accidental tugging could result into a broken, costly microscope!  Always begin and end your use of the apparatus with low power.

Microscope at its simplest is used in magnifying small objects or even microorganisms (things that are invisible to the naked eye).  The objects of study should then be placed on a slide that needs to be mounted to the microscope stage.  The organism on the slide should be directly over the stage hole.  The mirror that is right below the prepared slide should reflect the source of light.  A word of caution: never, ever use any type of microscope under direct sunlight (remember Galileo!).  The finest angle of light to be used when studying opaque specimen is lighting that comes from the top.  Bottom lighting is best for transparent samples.  Secure the prepared slide on the stage by using the clips.  These clips could also be extended outwards if the object is larger than the stage.

The next step is now to study the specimen by looking through the eyepiece/s.  You can alter your specimen view to the clearest inspection that you could produce by using the adjustment knobs.  As the blunt edges come into focus, turn even more slowly, making sure to capture the clearest view as possible.  If you would like to know the exact magnification of your precision microscope, the magnification point of the objective lens should be multiplied by the magnification point of the eyepiece lens. You could also place the slide at different angles so that there are different perspectives to the specimen.

To prevent eyestrain, remember to use both eyes when looking at the eyepiece.  Make sure that your eyes are at least an inch away from the eyepiece.  Do not fret if you begin with dual views.  Just stay and look for a few seconds more and you will be able to observe that the dual views would overlap into just a single view.  Also, if you are wearing spectacles, it is advisable to remove them.

After the observation, make sure that you also know how to clean and maintain your precision microscope.  A cleaning liquid that is non-solvent should be used to clean the lenses.  A can of compressed air or a soft duster could be used to blow off the dust particles.  Use lens paper that is moistened with lens solution to clean the lenses.  Repeat the procedure until the lenses are clear.  After about 2 moistened clean ups, it is time to dry them by wiping them off with tissue paper that is lint-free or yet another lens paper (this time, a dry one).  An ordinary, damp cloth should be able to do the rest of the cleaning job (majority of the body of your precision microscope).  And that’s it.

Nowadays, precision microscopes are utilized more and more.  There could be an additional complex variation somewhere like moving stages or mounted cameras but the steps on using them remain the same, and the purpose remains the same—to scrutinize and accurately measure an object of study. Read more on this subject