ABSTRACT: Compound binocular microscopes are rampantly being sold in the market today. And most of them are priced quite expensively. Therefore, it is important that the proper use of these devices is observed. Doing so would maximize their use.
Most people buy compound binocular microscopes more than the monocular or the trinocular versions. Monocular microscopes allows for merely a single view of the sample. This means you can only use one of your eyes when looking though the microscope. Trinocular microscopes, on the other hand, are a little too expensive for a regular user. This type of microscope are binocular microscopes that has an additional port used to connect a camera system into. Trinocular microscopes can be used by two people – and these are what makes these devices somewhat costly.
Here are the different steps on how you should properly use and care for compound binocular microscopes:
1. Carry the compound binocular microscope using both of your hands. One of your hand should be on the arm of the microscope. The other should be on the base. Make sure that you put the microscope flatly on the desk. Also, that the desk should be clear of things before putting the microscope down.
2. Find the lowest power objective lens and use it to attune the microscope. Before using the objectives with high value, always calibrate the microscope with the lowest power objective first. This will allow you to magnify the specimen as necessary, allowing it to be viewed optimally. Using the objectives with higher power would improperly adjust the device. Worse, the objective lenses could even get damaged while in the process of preparing the device for use.
3. Put the specimen on the stage. Put the slide in the dead center of the stage. Secure it with the pre-installed stage clips, if necessary. Stage clips ensure that the specimen won’t move while being viewed. Also, ensure that the specimen is positioned over the hole in the stage. The hole is where the light will pass through, making the sample viewable under the microscope.
4. Raise the stage carefully. To view the specimen correctly, the stage should be near the objective lens. Raise the stage by turning the adjustment knob. Make sure that the stage doesn’t reach the objectives. Otherwise, the objective may break. To be sure, watch from the side as you raise the stage towards the objectives.
5. Adjust the focusing knobs for optimum viewing. Look through the binocular eye piece. Focus using the coarse adjustment knob first. After which, use the fine adjustment knob. Then proceed to adjust the microscope’s binocularity as necessary. If the microscope has a mechanical stage, use the stage adjustment knob as well to attain the best possible view of the specimen.
6. Close the microscope’s diaphragm. The diaphragm lever is connected right below the stage and under the condenser. After you have closed the diaphragm, adjust the microscope’s condenser accordingly. Then, open the diaphragm partly. Your compound binocular microscope should be ready for use.
7. Change to the desired objective lens. After doing steps 1 to 6 above, you should have calibrated the microscope properly. That means your specimen is best viewed under the lowest magnification lens available. Should you need to use objectives having higher power, you can now change to it. Just focus to the image using the coarse and fine adjustment knobs like you did a while ago. You can also adjust the microscope’s stage and the diaphragm as necessary.
8. After use, clean the lenses with the prescribed lens paper. Manufacturers usually recommend a special type of lens paper to be used for cleaning the optics of their microscopes. Polish the microscope’s objectives as well as the oculars. If necessary, breathe on the optics very lightly to produce moisture.
9. Store the microscope when not in use. Properly store the compound binocular microscope when it is not going to be used even for a while. Dusts are a microscope’s number one enemy. Don’t allow them to penetrate the device. If the compound binocular microscope won’t be used for a few hours, use a plastic cover to protect it. If it is going to be left alone for days, better pack the microscope using the box it came with and put it back to its shelf.
These are the proper use of compound binocular microscopes. Whenever you use them, follow these steps and you would never go wrong. Beginners should master these steps as they are the basic ones they need to do every time they intend to use the microscope from scratch.