Optical Microscope

The most common microscope is the optical microscope which is also referred to as the light

microscope, using visible light and usally viewed directly by the eye. They are the oldest type of

microscope and were alleged to be invented in the 17th century. It also uses a system of different

lenses in order to magnify small specimen.

Components

Eyepiece - is a cylinder containing two or more lenses; its function is to bring the image into focus for the
eye.
Revolver - allows the user to switch between objective lenses.
Objective - collect light from the sample.
Focus Knobs - move the stage up and down.
Frame - The frame provides a mounting point for various microscope controls.
Stage - The stage is a platform below the objective which supports the specimen being viewed.
Condenser - focus light from the illumination source onto the sample.

Applications

Medical Diagnosis
Microelectronics
Biotechnology
Microbiology

Limitations

Resolution
Live cells generally lack sufficient contrast to be studied successfully and the optical microscope has
trouble differentiating

http://www.wikilectures.eu/index.php/Limit_of_resolution_of_optical_microscope
http://www.olympus-ims.com/en/microscope/terms/feature10/
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_microscope
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/optical_microscope