Operator'S Manual: T670 Microscope
Operator'S Manual: T670 Microscope
Operator'S Manual: T670 Microscope
T670 Microscope
Compound Microscope
T670 Microscope
Copyright © 2015 United Scope Inc. DBA AmScope. All rights reserved.
Copyright Notice
This document, which is in draft form and subject to change without notice, is an
unpublished work containing confidential, trade secret information that is proprietary to
AmScope, and is protected by laws pertaining to such materials. This document, the
information in this document and all rights thereto are the sole and exclusive property of
AmScope and are not to be copied, used or disclosed to anyone, in whole or in part,
without the express written permission of AmScope.
AmScope assumes no liability for any damages incurred, directly or indirectly, from any
errors, omissions or discrepancies between the use of this microscope and the information
contained in this document.
AmScope
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Fax: 949-333-0007
Contents
BEFORE USE..............................................................................................................................................................4
Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................4
Precautions ..........................................................................................................................................................4
1. MICROSCOPE PARTS ...............................................................................................................................................5
1.1 Parts Diagram................................................................................................................................................5
1.2 Features .........................................................................................................................................................6
2. OPERATION ............................................................................................................................................................8
2.1 Unpacking ......................................................................................................................................................8
2.2 Assembly ........................................................................................................................................................9
2.3 Adjusting the View ........................................................................................................................................12
2.4 Specimen Set Up...........................................................................................................................................13
2.5 Focusing.......................................................................................................................................................14
2.6 Using the Trinocular Port .............................................................................................................................15
2.7 Attaching a Camera......................................................................................................................................15
2.8 Setting the Stage’s Stop-Limit........................................................................................................................16
2.9 Adjusting Focus Tension...............................................................................................................................16
2.10 Setting the Condenser Lens Adjustment Knob ..............................................................................................16
2.11 Adjusting the Iris ........................................................................................................................................17
2.12 Changing a Filter .......................................................................................................................................17
2.13 Changing the Fuse ......................................................................................................................................17
2.14 Using Oil Immersion...................................................................................................................................18
2.15 Using Darkfield Condenser Lenses (Optional Accessories)..........................................................................20
2.16 Using a Dry Darkfield Condenser Lens (Optional Accessory)......................................................................21
2.17 Using Oil Darkfield Condenser Lens (Optional Accessory)..........................................................................22
2.18 Using a Phase Contrast Kit (Optional Accessory)........................................................................................25
2.19 Using a Simple Phase Contrast Kit (Optional Accessory) ............................................................................29
2.20 Using a Turret Phase Contrast Kit (Optional Accessory) .............................................................................34
2.21 Microscope Maintenance ............................................................................................................................39
2.22 Darkfield Condenser Kit & Phase Contrast Kit Maintenance.......................................................................40
3. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS ...................................................................................................................................41
3.1 Features .......................................................................................................................................................41
3.2 Objectives.....................................................................................................................................................41
3.3 Eyepieces......................................................................................................................................................42
3.4 Darkfield Condensers ...................................................................................................................................42
3.5 Phase Contrast Kits ......................................................................................................................................42
4. PARAMETERS .......................................................................................................................................................43
4.1 Electrical System ..........................................................................................................................................43
85V-230V wide voltage, CE certified...................................................................................................................43
4.2 Microscope Parameters ................................................................................................................................43
5. RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES..............................................................................................................................44
5.1 Eyepieces......................................................................................................................................................44
5.2 Darkfield Condensers ...................................................................................................................................44
5.3 Objective Lenses...........................................................................................................................................45
5.4 Phase Contrast Kits ......................................................................................................................................45
5.5 Cameras and Accessories..............................................................................................................................46
5.6 Fuses............................................................................................................................................................47
5.7 Slides............................................................................................................................................................47
5.8 Cleaners .......................................................................................................................................................47
6. TROUBLESHOOTING .............................................................................................................................................48
6.1 Optical Issues ...............................................................................................................................................48
6.2 Mechanical Issues.........................................................................................................................................49
6.3 Electrical Issues............................................................................................................................................50
7. GENERAL MICROSCOPY GUIDE .............................................................................................................................51
Before Use
Introduction
Congratulations on the purchase of your new AmScope Microscope! This manual is
designed for T670 microscope.
Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the features and functions of
your new microscope. If you want more information on microscope, parts, and
accessories, please visit our website at:
www.AmScope.com
We recommend that you study this manual thoroughly before operating the
microscope and that you keep it on hand for future reference. If you have additional
questions or need assistance, please send us an email at:
info@AmScope.com
Please include the microscope model number in your email so that we can identify
your model and provide immediate help.
Precautions
1. As the microscope is a precision instrument, always handle it with care, avoiding
impact or abrupt movement during transportation. Do not shake the package.
2. Do not place the microscope in direct sunlight or in high heat. Keep it indoors in a
dry and clean place with temperatures between 32°-100° F (0°-40°C), maximum
relative humidity: 85%
3. Avoid touching the lenses on the objective and the eyepiece so that oil and dirt
from your fingerprints do not obstruct your view.
4. Before turning the power on, make sure that the power supply voltage is
consistent with the voltage of your microscope.
1. Microscope Parts
1.1 Parts Diagram
1.2 Features
A superior professional infinity trinocular compound microscope, this instrument
comes with an extreme widefield infinity optical system, which provides crystal clear
images for high level microscopy work.
The ideal level of comfort when in use is achieved by its 30 degree inclined ocular
tubes (most useful when seated for long periods of time), and a 360 degree
swiveling trinocular Siedentopf head to position the eyepieces wherever you are
most comfortable in relation to the microscope on your bench.
The infinity objectives are of the highest quality, and crucial features such as a
coaxial coarse and fine focusing system, 3D mechanical stage, and wide band
voltage (85v-230v) Kohler LED illumination system are all included.
Clinical offices, veterinary labs, and research labs will all be served very well by this
superb precision compound microscope.
2. Operation
2.1 Unpacking
2.1.1 Unpack the Box
1. Very carefully slide the Styrofoam container out of the cardboard carton.
2. Lay the Styrofoam container on its side. Make sure the side labeled up is up.
3. Remove the tape.
4. Carefully open the Styrofoam container, avoid dropping and damaging the
optical items.
2.2 Assembly
2.2.1 Carefully Remove Microscope from Box
Carefully take the microscope head out of the plastic bag, making sure not to
touch glass.
Place the bottom side of the microscope head (flat, circular side down) into
the circular opening on top of the arm (just above the nosepiece and lock
screw).
2.2.4 Install the Trinocular Port and C-Mount (For Trinocular Microscopes Only)
Unscrew and remove the photo port cap from the top side of
the microscope head.
2.2.7 Plug it in, turn it on, and adjust the dimmer if more light is needed.
Once you’ve chosen your preferred microscope head position, lock the head-lock
screw.
With both eyes open, look into the eyepieces. Adjust the interpupillary distance
by holding the eyetubes and rotating the tubes either towards or away from each
other until only one circle of light is seen by both eyes.
2.5 Focusing
2.5.1 Choose an Objective Lens
2.5.2 Parfocal
The AmScope T670 model is uniquely designed so that you can view
the image through the eyepieces and the Trinocular port
simultaneously, as well as fine tune the focus of the camera with a C-
mount focus adjustment.
If your camera needs a C-mount adapter, attach the adapter to your camera and screw
the adapter into the Trinocular port. Plug one end of the cord directly into the camera
and the USB end into your computer.
Note: If your stage is slipping down after setting the focus, you need to increase the
tension.
1. At the bottom of the condenser lens, there is a small ring that slides out.
Swivel the ring as far out as possible.
2. Insert the preferred colored glass filter.
3. Slide the ring back into place.
Note: The filter holder is placed in from the factory in a manner in which it swings out
and hits the arm of the microscope (backwards). If this happens, simply grip the
condenser assembly and rotate it. It may take a small amount of force to rotate it,
but after doing so, you will be able to swing the filter holder out towards the front
of the unit for easier operation.
9. After using the oil immersion lens, you will need to clean the lens and
specimen before the oil dries.
Note: Please be careful when using the stage stop limit. The stage limit stop
is designed to prevent impact between objective and slide, so when it is off
you can damage the microscope or the slide.
1. The first step is centering the condenser. Move the 10X objective lens into the
light path.
Note: The dark spot has a fuzzy edge and will become larger when the condenser
gets closers to the objective. The distance between the top of the condenser
and the objective is about 8mm, when the dark spot shows in the field of view.
8. Place a slide on the stage and focus. Adjust the height of the stage up or
down slightly for optimal viewing, but the condenser lens should be relatively
close to the slide.
1. When using oil immersion, once you have finished using the oil darkfield lens,
you will need to clean the lens and specimen of the oil before it dries.
2. You can wipe the lens with a soft nonabrasive cloth to remove the oil. If you
want to use a cleaner, you can use cigarette lighter fluid to safely remove the
oil, as it will break it down. Do not use alcohol based solvents, as they
dissolve the cement used to in assembly of the lens (thus breaking your
objective).
3. The specimen itself can be discarded, or if desired, you could clean it up and
store it for later use. The specimen may also be left with the oil on it, as you
will still need to apply more for use later, however it may dry up and cloud
your specimen. Cleaning is recommended.
Some specimens may offer little in the way of color-variance or opacity and can
appear essentially invisible when using basic, transmitted light. Phase-contrast is a
technique used in microscopy to enhance the contrast of an image, when observing
a specimen which offers little contrast in normal bright-field conditions.
As the speed of light changes when hitting or missing obstacles, like a specimen, the
rays are bent, or refracted. The amount of refraction when a light wave hits an obstacle
is measured as its refractive index. It’s this refractive index which creates the variations
in phase as light passes through a specimen.
Even though a specimen may appear transparent, as long as its refractive index is
different from the baseline index of air, and the specimen has thickness, then there will
be changes in phase to any light which passes through the specimen.
As the light collectively passes through the objective lens, it is further segregated by the
phase ring. The phase ring shifts the phase of the surround light either positively or
negatively so the waves are in-phase.
Since human sight is incapable of perceiving light phase, the aim of phase contrast is to
translate the disparities in phase into perceivable variations in brightness.
1. Take the aluminum case containing your kit out of the cardboard carton.
Remove the tape and open the container carefully so as to avoid dropping
and damaging the optical items. You may need to use the key taped onto the
box. Check carefully to ensure that all parts and accessories are intact.
Note: You must match finite tube-length kits to finite tube-length microscopes
and infinity-corrected units to infinity-corrected microscopes for optimal
results.
2. Check the packing list to ensure that you’re received all the items. All units
should come with:
Ø 10X, 40X, & 100X Phase Contrast Condenser Lenses
Ø 10X, 40X, & 100X Phase Contrast Objective Lenses
Ø Condenser Assembly
Ø Centering Telescope Lens
Ø Green filter
1. Once you have installed the phase contrast kit, you will need to calibrate and
center the light perfectly for optimal results. You will initially calibrate with the
Abbe brightfield condenser.
2. Replace the brightfield objective on nosepiece with the 10X phase contrast
objective.
Note: there are 3 phase contrast objectives: 10X, 40X and 100X, and
there are 3 condenser ring plates: 10X, 40X and 100X. The
corresponding objective and ring plate must work together. For
example, the 10X phase contrast objective must work with the 10X
condenser ring plate.
2.19.4 Calibrating the Phase Contrast Objective Lens and Condenser Lens
3. While looking through the eyepiece, extend the eyepiece by rotating the top
counter clockwise until an image of the objective’s phase ring and the
condenser’s annulus are clearly in focus. Since they are both part of the
same conjugate image plane, they can be simultaneously in focus.
6. Place the green filter in the filter holder or directly onto the center of the
base lens of your microscope (where the light emerges from). Remove the
green filter if doing darkfield microscopy.
After you center the condenser, you can perform the phase contrast observation
the same way as a normal brightfield microscope.
Tips:
1. Make the illumination as bright as possible.
2. The thinner the specimen, the better the image.
1. Take the aluminum case containing your kit out of the cardboard carton.
Remove the tape and open the container carefully so as to avoid dropping
and damaging the optical items. You may need to use the key taped onto the
box. Check carefully to ensure that all parts and accessories are intact.
Note: You must match finite tube-length kits to finite tube-length microscopes and
infinity-corrected units to infinity-corrected microscopes for optimal results.
2. Check the packing list to ensure that you’re received all the items. All units
should come with:
Ø Turret with 10X, 20X, 40X &100X Phase Contrast Condensers
Ø 10X, 20X, 40X & 100X Phase Contrast Objectives
Ø Centering Telescope Lens
Ø Green filter
Ø Small flathead screwdriver
3. Turn the phase contrast condenser’s turret to the B setting. Focus the
specimen. Before aligning the phase contrast lens and condenser, you will
need to bring the specimen into focus with the brightfield setting.
4. Once the specimen is in focus with the brightfield setting, rotate the
condenser’s turret ring so it is set to 10.
2.20.4 Calibrating the Turret Phase Contrast Objectives and Condenser Lenses
3. While looking through the telescope lens, extend the eyepiece by rotating the
top counter clockwise.
7. Place the green filter in the filter holder or directly onto the center of the
base lens of your microscope (where the light emerges from). Remove
the green filter if doing darkfield microscopy.
After you center the ring plate, you can perform the phase contrast observation
the same way as a normal brightfield microscope.
Tips:
1. Make the illumination as bright as possible.
2. The thinner the specimen, the better the image.
2.21.2 No Sun/Heat
Do not place the microscope and accessories in direct sunlight or in
high heat.
Keep the microscope and all accessories indoors in a dry and clean
place with temperatures between 32°-100° F (0°-40°C), maximum
relative humidity: 85%.
2.21.3 No Dust
Always keep the microscope covered by the dust cover when not in
use. The glass will attract dust, obscuring your view. Make sure to
keep it in a dry and clean place in order to prevent rust.
Carefully wipe off oil or fingerprints on lens surfaces using a tissue moistened
with a small amount of 3:7 alcohol to ether mixture.
2.21.6 Do not use lens cleaner on the non-glass parts of the microscope.
Do not use the optical lens cleaning solution to wipe the surfaces of the
other components of the microscope.
All other parts, especially those made of plastic, should be cleaned with a
mild detergent.
2.21.7 Do not touch the glass.
Avoid touching the lenses on the objective, the eyepiece and all the
accessories with glass lenses.
All optical lenses should be swabbed using a circular motion. A small amount of
absorbent cotton wound on the end of a tapered stick makes a useful tool for
cleaning recessed optical surfaces.
Avoid using an excessive amount of solvents as this may cause problems with
optical coatings or cemented optics or the flowing solvent may pick up grease
making cleaning more difficult.
3. General Specifications
3.1 Features
SPECIFICATION FEATURE
Optical System Infinity corrected
Nosepiece Reversed, ball bearing quintuple
Head Siedentopf trinocular head, 30-degree inclined
Eyepiece WH10X/22mm and WH20X/12
Infinity plan objective 10X, 20X, 40X (spring), 100X
Objectives (spring, oil)
Focusing Low position coaxial focus system
Interpupillary Adjustment
Range 2-3/16" - 3" (55-75mm)
Mechanical Stage 7.1"x5.9" (180mm × 150mm)
Stage Traveling Range 3"x 2" (75x50mm)
Division of Fine Focusing 0.0000787" (0.002mm)
Illumination Built-in Kohler LED Illumination System
Condenser N.A. 1.25, swing with iris diaphragm & filter
Power Supply 85V-230V wide voltage, CE certified
3.2 Objectives
Numerical
Aperture Magnification
Model (N.A.) Marks
Type Number Magnification Rating Medium (Color Ring)
DIN Infinity
Plan
Achromatic A4X 4X 0.10 Air Red
Objective
A10X 10X 0.25 Air Yellow
with
Associated A20X 20X
N.A. A40X 40X 0.65 Air Light Blue
Ratings A60X 60X 0.85 Air Dark Blue
(195mm) A100X 100X 1.25 Cedar Oil White
3.3 Eyepieces
Eyepieces
Magnification 5X 10X 15X 16X 20X 25X
Field of View Φ18 Φ18 Φ13 Φ15 Φ11 Φ9
4. Parameters
4.1 Electrical System
85V-230V wide voltage, CE certified
Magnification 10x-2500x
Field of View Φ0.8mm~Φ4.5mm
Mechanical Tube Length 160mm
Object to Primary Image Distance 195mm
Fine Focusing Sensitivity 0.002mm
5. Recommended Accessories
(Purchase separately. Please visit www.amscope.com and search with SKU #, for more
information.)
5.1 Eyepieces
2X 5X 20X 60X
SKU: A2X SKU: A5X SKU: A20X SKU: A60X
Plan Achromatic
Simple Turret
SKU: PCS SKU: PCT
Calibration Micrometer
Calibrate the camera software for on-screen measurements.
SKU: MR400
5.6 Fuses
Fuses For
Microscopes
SKU: FS-M
T1AL 220V
5.7 Slides
Prepared
Blank
50 Blank Slides 100 Blank Slides 144 Blank Slides 300 Blank Slides
SKU: BS-100P- SKU: BS-144P- SKU: BS-300P-
SKU: BS-50P-C 100S-22 200S-22 300S
5.8 Cleaners
6. Troubleshooting
6.1 Optical Issues
SYMPTOM
SYMPTOM CAUSE REMEDY
OPTICAL ISSUES
Turn the nosepiece until it clicks into
One side of the field of view is The nosepiece is misaligned. place.
darker Stains, dust, or dirt has
accumulated on the objectives Clean all lenses with lens cleaner or a lint
or eyepieces. free non-abrasive cloth.
Stains, dust, or dirt has Clean the slide or use a new specimen if
Obstructions are observed in accumulated on the specimen. sample is destroyed.
the field of view Stains, dust, or dirt has
accumulated on the objective,
eyepieces, or Barlow lens. Clean the lens.
Add a cover slip. The objectives are
designed for use with a 0.17mm cover
There is no cover slip on the slip, so it is a requirement to use one for
slide. proper images.
The cover slip is not standard Replace the cover slip with the
sized. appropriate 0.17mm thickness slip.
The immersion oil has Thoroughly clean the objective lens with
accumulated on the dry lens cleaner or a lint free non-abrasive
objective. cloth
No immersion oil is used with Use immersion oil for better clarity and
the 100X objective. resolution.
Used wrong oil. Use standard cedar wood oil.
Unclear Image Adjust the aperture to have the light just
The aperture is not open to an larger than
appropriate diameter. the size of the condenser.
Stains, dust, or dirt has Clean the lens with lens cleaner or a non-
accumulated on the inlet of the abrasive lint free cloth, as well as spray
head. with compressed air.
Adjust condenser height to the top of the
The condenser is not in the travel range, and then adjust down to
right position. focus image.
Initial focus was at too high a Start focusing with the lowest objective
magnification. and then switch to the higher ones.
The slide thickness at higher
magnifications will impact clarity if the
The slide is upside down slide is upside down.
Adjust the brightness knob to a higher or
The brightness adjustment lower setting for color
The color of the image is not knob is not in the right position. clarity.
accurate
Remove color filter if natural light is
No filter is used or filter is in desired, or insert desired
use. filter.
The objective
touches the cover Be careful to avoid contact between objective and
slip. the slide when the limit stop is not engaged (unless
using the 100X objective with oil). To re-engage,
focus the sample, then lock the limit stop into place
The limit-stop is set too high to set maximum height at a safe but usable
or not engaged. distance.
Loosen it by adjusting the tension ring inside the
Focus-knob does coarse focus knob counterclockwise (close to the
not turn. arm of the microscope on the left of the
The tension knob is too tight. microscope).
The bulb/light source Replace the bulb. This unit uses our BH-
flickers. The bulb is close to 6V20W with our 20w unit or our BH-
burning out. 6V30W for the 30W unit.
The microscope is Insert the plug into the wall socket to
unplugged. achieve electrical illumination.
Check the bulb by unscrewing the base
(remove eyepieces first to prevent falling
The microscope does not The bulb is not inserted out) door and ensuring that the bulb is
light up. correctly. inserted.
Replace the bulb. This unit uses our BH-
6V20W with our 20w unit or our BH-
The bulb burned out. 6V30W for the 30W unit.
Replace with fuse on the bottom of the
The fuse burned out. microscope.
Use the correct power supply (110v if
The fuse burns out 110v unit, 220v if 220v
frequently. unit), or get a voltage adapter to convert to
the proper electrical
The voltage is too high. system.
Use the correct power supply (110v if
110v unit, 220v if 220v unit), or get a
voltage adapter to convert to the proper
electrical
The voltage is too high. system.
The bulb burns out Use the correct wattage bulb for the unit.
frequently. Using a higher wattage than it is rated for
can damage your unit (melt components
with additional heat), so please be sure to
use the correct one. Damage from
incorrect usage is not covered under
Used wrong bulb. warranty.
Base Lens
Binocular Head-Rotating
Condenser Lens
A darkfield condenser lens produces bright images against a dark background for low
contrast biological specimens.
With brightfield lenses, a solid
beam of light illuminates the
objective lens. Darkfield condenser
lenses block the center of the
beam of light to produce a hollow
cone of light. Light does not enter
the objective lens directly. The
specimen scatters light, which then
enters the objective lens.
Brightfield Darkfield
Dimmer
DIN/JIS
DIN is the Deutsches Institut für Normung, the German Institute for Standardization,
an international standards organization determining the "standard" for many types of
technology. JIS is the Japanese Industrial Standard, specifying the standards used
for industrial activities in Japan.
Diopter
Eye Guards
Eye Guards fit over the eyepieces, they are for comfort and to
protect the glass in the eyepiece.
Eyepieces
Eyepieces are also called ocular lenses. Eyepieces come in
many magnifications and you replace them by swapping them
out of the eyetubes.
Eyetubes
Focusing Knobs
Head Types
Monocular
Binocular
Trinocular
Multi-head
Simul-Focal
Immersion Oil
A special oil used with the 100X objective to concentrate the light and increase
the resolution of the image. At high magnifications the field of view is so small
that very little light passes. The light refracts, scatters and produces a dark
image.
A drop of oil is placed on the slide’s cover slip and the objective is lowered until
it touches the oil. The oil will match the specimen’s light refracting index to the
lens, adding more light to the specimen, which improves resolution and clarity.
Interpupillary Distance
Interpupillary Distance is the distance between your eyes. AmScope uses 2 types of
systems to change interpupillary distance.
Iris or Diaphragm
The iris adjustment slider allows you to adjust the opening of the iris.
Lenses
Microscopes have a two lens system, objective and ocular.
Light Bulbs-Caution
1. Turn off the microscope when not in use to preserve the life of the bulb.
2. Never touch a light bulb directly, especially when it’s turned on.
a. The light bulbs can get hot enough to burn skin. Wait until the bulb has cooled
completely before handling it.
b. The oil from your skin will create a hot spot on the bulb which will damage the
glass, dramatically shortening the life of the bulb.
c. When changing light bulbs cover skin with cloth or paper to handle the bulb.
This will protect both you and the bulb.
3. Hot bulbs will not damage the microscope. AmScope’s microscopes are designed
specifically to handle the heat output of the model’s bulb.
Lighting-Types
Tungsten
Tungsten light bulbs are the most economical, providing a reliable
source of light. They burn hotter than the other bulbs, but are the best
option for certain microscopes.
Fluorescent
Fluorescent bulbs burn cooler and brighter than tungsten bulbs. The
bulbs are more expensive than tungsten, but
last longer.
LED
LED light bulbs burn the coolest of all the bulbs and last the longest.
The bulbs are also the most expensive. Depending on use, LED
lights should last about 40,000 hours.
Halogen
Halogen light bulbs produce the most amount of light. The light is
very white and concentrated; the bulbs can get very hot and must be
cooled regularly. Depending on use, halogen light bulbs can last
anywhere from 1 week to 6 months.
Fiber Optic
Fiber optical lighting uses a system of flexible transparent fibers
made of plastic or glass. The light is transmitted between the two
ends of the fiber, allowing for greater illumination in confined spaces.
When the limit stop is off you will be able to damage the
microscope or the glass slide. For safety, engage the limit
stop once you have it close or in contact with the objective
(if using oil contact is required).
Magnification
Microscopes have a two lens system. Total Magnification is the power of two lenses
multiplied together.
Mechanical Stage
The top ring moves the stage forward and backward. The
bottom ring moves the stage from left to right.
Nosepiece
Lens with larger numerical apertures capture finer details than lenses with smaller
numerical apertures. Generally, lenses with larger numerical apertures create a brighter
image, but the depth of field will be shallower.
N.A. Rating
Average
Objective Numerical
Lens Aperture
4X 0.1
10X 0.25
40X 0.65
100X 1.25
Parcentered
When changing objectives, the image of the specimen stays centered. Most compound
microscopes are parcentered.
Parfocal
When changing objectives, the image of the specimen stays in focus without
needing to adjust the coarse focusing knob. Not all compound microscopes are
parfocal.
Phase Contrast
Many biological specimens are virtually transparent when viewed with a typical
compound microscope. Phase contrast microscopy is a method that collects light from
specific incidents (phases) of light only to allow better contrast in viewing transparent
specimens.
Phase Contrast improves visibility by manipulating direct and diffracted light to produce
greater contrast without losing resolution. The major benefit is the ability to study living cells
in their natural state instead of killing them with stain.
A specific condenser with a ring printed on it, used for phase contrast. The
magnification of the objective must match the magnification of the condenser.
Condensers are used to concentrate the light from a transmitted light on a sample for
illumination and viewing.
For phase contrast kits without a turret, the condenser assembly is the
mount for the condenser lenses.
Telescope Lens-Centering
Tension Knob
Trinocular Port