BASIC OBSERVATIONPROCEDURESFOR COMPOUND

MICROSCOPES

Good microscopyrequiresthe adoptionof work habitsthat facilitate observation,

minimize fatigue and eyestrain,and protectthe equipmentfrom damage. Follow these
stepseachtime you usethe compoundmicroscope.

Placethe microscopedirectlyin front of you on the laboratorytable. Rememberto

carry the microscopeusingboth handsafter removing it from the storagecabinet.
Carefullyremovethe dustcoverandplaceit back in the storagecabinetor in a drawer
so it is out of the work area. Unwrap one or two turns of the power cord and plug in
the microscopeto a poweroutlet.
Switchthe power switchto "I" (on) andadjustthe rightnesswith the light intensity
knob. Use the lowestintensityto illuminateto the specimenthat is useful.
1
J . Engagethe 4X objectiveby revolvingthe nosepieceusingthe groovedring at the top
of the nosepieceand not by handlingthe objectivesthemselves.Make surethe
nosepiecestopswith an audibleclick.
Placea specimenslideon the stageandgentlyreleasethe springclip which holdsit in
place. When usinga coverslip, alwaysview a slidewith the coverslip towardsthe
objectivelens.
Turn the X-axis knob andthe Y-axis knob (shownon the diagram)to move the
specimeninto light path.
6 Looking throughthe right eyepiecewith your right eye,turn the coarseadjustment
knob to bring the specimeninto focus. After obtainingapproximatefocus,usethe
fine adjustmentknobto makefinal adjustmentof the image.
Looking throughthe left eyepiecewith your left eye,turn the diopteradjustmentring
on the eyepieceto bringthe left eye into focus.
With both eyesopen,graspthe eyepiecebasewith thumband forefingersof each
handand movethe eyepieces apartandtogetherslowly,until you seea singleimage
of the specimen.This may haveto be doneseveraltimes in orderto get the single
image. If you havedifficulty with this step,askyour instructortoassistyou.
9 Next checkthe centerof the condenser - this will allow a maximumamountof light
to pass directly through a specimenand be capturedby the objectivelens. Startwith
the 10X objective.Focuson the slide.Raisethe condenserheightadjustmentknobto
bring the field diaphragmimageinto final focus- the edgeof the circle of light
shouldbe sharp. while lookingthroughthe eyepieces, turn the field diaphragm
counterclockwise until only a small circleof light is visible.Adjust the centering
screwsto insurethe circleof light is in the centerof the field of view. Now openthe
field iris diaphragmuntil light fills the field of view.
l 0 With a slideon the stagemovethe specimeninto the pathof light. Using the 40X
objective,focusthe image. Now experimentalteringthe amountof light passing
throughthe specimenby openingand closingthe iris diaphragmwith the lever
locatedabovethe centeringscrews. You will needto adjustthe iris diaphragmfor
eachdifferent specimenyou observe,dependingon the amountof contrastyour
observationrequires.
I 1. Raiseor lower the condenser until you are satisfiedyou havethe bestresolutionof
the object on the slide. Raising or loweringthe condensermovesthe focal point of
the condenserup or down. For greatestresolution,it is desirableto move the light so
it is just at the openingof the objectivelens being used

12.Adjust the light intensityusing the light intensityknob on the right sideof the base.
Generally,the higherthe magnification,the higherthe intensityof the light. Always
turn the light intensityknob fully down beforeswitchingoffthe power.
13.When you havefinishedobservations usingthe microscope,lower the stage,gently
removethe specimenfrom the stageclips,lower the light intensityto its lowest
setting,and switch offthe power. Wipe any dirty lensescleanusing lens tissueonlv.
with a drop of cleaningsolution. Unplug the instrumentand carefullywind the power
cord eitheron the cord winder or on the base,replacethe dustcoverand returnthe
scopeto its cabinet.

HOW TO USE THE OIL IMMERSION OBJECTIVE

1. Focuson the specimenwith the 10X objective.

2. Placea smalldrop of immersionoil onto the specimenat the areato be observed.
3. Rotatethe 100X objectiveinto positionwithout gettingthe 40X objectivein the oil.
4. While observingfrom one side of the stage,slowly,raisethe stageuntil you seethe
meniscusof the oil on the specimencomein contactwith the tip of the 100X
objective.Now go to the eyepiecesand observeas you finish focusingwith the fine
focusknob. You can makesmall lateralslidemovementswith the immersionoil on
the slide.
5. When you have completedyour observations usingthe immersionoil, slowly lower
the stagewith the coarsefocus knob until the 100X lens is out of contactwith the oil
and rotatethe objectiveright or left so a shorterlens, the 4X clicks into position. DO
NOT rotatethe 40X objectivethroughthe oil!!!
6. Removethe slideand wipe the excessoil offthe slideand the tip of the 100X
objectivewith lenstissuemoistenedwith ethanol(usebottle markedlens cleaner).
OLYMPUSMODEL CH 30.COMPOUNDMICROSCOPE

tnterpupillarydistance adjustment scale

Main switch

Light intensity
Knoo

Y - a x i sk n o b

X'axis knob

Apenure i.is di3ph.agm Inob .

:i:ili:l''iii:' Fine tocus

aolustment knob

C o a r s el o c u s
adjustment knob
Coarse adjustment
knob tension
adjustment ring

*Field iris diaphragm

dial