Stereomicroscopes are also known as the inspection and dissection microscopes.  In the line of microscopy, stereomicroscopes have long been used.  Maybe you’re actually wondering why? Or how does it work? Or what are the benefits one can get by using this scientific instrument.

Stereo microscopes give low magnifications than that of the compound light microscopes.  The difference is that it provides an actual three dimensional (3D) view of things for the human eyes.  The designs of stereomicroscopes provide larger view of fields.  It just means that you get to see a very closer look at things.

This microscope is currently used in jewelry, coin and gem inspections, dissections and even quality control inspections.  They are considered too as digital microscopes. Stereomicroscopes are equipped with some techniques that make the specimen look more incredible.

Read on to know more about some useful techniques you can use with the stereo microscope.

Reflected and Transmitted Illumination

The reflected illumination or episcopic schemes in stereo microscopes are often used when examining specimen as well as the transmitted or diascopic schemes.  These two illuminations employs different configurations and light sources to have an advantage of the characteristics of a particular specimen, like an antique coin, in a way that they will reveal effectively the certain features and characteristics of an antique coin.

Oblique Illumination

This is the basic way to illuminate samples in the stereomicroscope.  Specimens that are colorless and transparent might almost be invisible under the stereo microscope when the traditional brightfield illumination is used.  Oblique illumination is somewhat the same with the darkfield technique but there are some exceptions.

In an oblique illumination, the light is directed so that it flows from a single azimuth of putting light from all of the directions.  Now when the specimen strikes in an oblique angle, the details of the specimen might reveal greater visual clarity and contrast.  This is because the light directly passed through the features of specimen along the stereomicroscopes optical axis.

Darkfield Illumination

A specialized stand which contains reflection mirror and a light shield plate is required in stereomicroscopy under a darkfield observation.  The main reason why these things are required is because they are needed to direct a reverse hollow cone illumination through the specimen in an oblique angle.

It is very the same the principal elements in the darkfield illumination for stereomicroscope and the conventional light microscopes.  They are often equipped with condensers composed of internal mirrors which contain reflecting surfaces aligning at specific angles.

Fluorescence Illumination

GFP observation is also known as “stereo fluorescence illuminator.  Currently, it is very common the GFP observation in a stereoscopic application.  GFP illuminators can also be used in other applications such as life sciences and in the electronics industry.  Large specimens like larvae, zebrafish, nematodes and other insects can easily be manipulated and selected when GFP label is put to them and  when they are illuminated using the fluorescence techniques.

Fluorescence’s illuminations may reveal organisms which produce fluorescent proteins.  The stereoscopic vision of the stereo microscope that is linked to a wide view field and larger working distance allows the observers conduct experiments using forceps and micromanipulators.  Other regular specimens can be observed and recorded easily using stereo microscope.

Co Axial Technique

This technique in co-axial is very the same with the technique in a brightfield.  The only downside with the technique is that when the power is lower that that of  1.0x, the illumination area is smaller than the view field making center spot illuminated  while on the other hand more than 70% of the area is dark.  The stereo microscope’s angle should be perpendicular to surface of work to achieve the most details in this kind of illumination.

Fiber Optic Ring Light Technique

This technique provides a shadow free type of illumination.  A halogen lamp is usually used as a source of light thus making the color warmer than most fluorescent lamps.  The only drawback here is that it can not detect certain flaws.

Fluorescent Ring Light Technique

Like the fiber optic ring light technique it provides a shadow free kind of illumination but the only difference is that it gives an even one in the samples.  The only difference among the models is the lamp’s color temperature because lamp comes in contrasting temperature like a blue white to a yellow white color.  Yellow and polarized filters are made available for components which are photo resisted.

These are some of the stereoscopic microscopy techniques one can use to have the effects one would want to achieve.  Almost microscopy has invaded all the elements here on earth.  But it is very useful indeed.

There are available models for children in school; this will make them more interested in learning the wonders of science.  But for the professionals they need a more enhanced stereo microscope for precision details.  This is very good not only for children but for hobbyists, jewelers and researchers as well.  Stereo microscope, the one that inspects flaws and fakes.  Ideally recommended to get the possible incredible digital imagery one needs.

For more information, please visit http://www.digitalstereoscopicmicroscopes.com/