A stereo microscope, although a low magnification microscope, allows the object under study to be presented to the observer in a 3-D format. Unlike ordinary microscopes that only have a single objective lens, stereo microscopes have two separate optical paths and a binocular view, which allows the observer to observe more details of the object that are not easily noticeable. Therefore, stereo microscope is widely used in biology, geology and other disciplines. Its scope of use is very wide, and all tasks that require manipulation in a three-dimensional environment require the use of a stereo microscope.
Introduction to the Components of a Stereo Microscope
For a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of stereo microscopes then it is essential to know the components of a stereo microscope. Let’s get started!
Microscope Eyepiece
As the name suggests, the microscope eyepiece is what you use to look at the object of observation. If you look closely, you can also see that the eyepieces are labeled with different magnifications, which you can change to suit your needs.
Trinocular Opening
Stereo microscopes are subdivided into two types, one is a binocular microscope and the other is called a trinocular microscope. Why is it called a trinocular microscope? The difference between a trinocular microscope and a binocular microscope is that there is an additional interface to connect a camera or a digital LCD screen, so it is also called a trinocular interface. The LCD screen helps the observer to record the image of the observed object, which is convenient for the observer to carry out subsequent detailed analysis.
Zoom Knob
The zoom knobs are located on either side of the stereo microscope. The zoom knobs allow you to further control the magnification of the object being imaged. The eyepieces we mentioned earlier can also be adjusted for magnification, but only for a preliminary adjustment, and the zoom knobs are the only part that can be used to adjust the magnification more accurately.
Coarse Focus Knob
Unlike the zoom knob, the focus knob is used to quickly make adjustments to the magnification of the object being imaged.
Microscope Stand
The microscope stand is one of the most basic components of a stereomicroscope, and the height of the stand can be adjusted at will. The height of the stand can be adjusted at will, and the eyepiece of the microscope attached to the stand can be moved at will. Some stereo microscope stands need to be fixed on the table, you need to pay attention to this point.
Litter Table
The function of a carrier table is simple: it is used to hold the object being observed. The carrier is usually equipped with clips to hold the object in place.
Lighting Control Varistor
The intensity of the light needed to observe different objects is different. The purpose of the light control rheostat is that it allows the microscope to have light sources of different brightness. You can choose a suitable light source by constantly trying it yourself.
Transmitted Light
Transmitted light means that the light source shines up from underneath the object, and this type of illumination is ideal for viewing transparent or translucent objects.
Reflective LED Lights
Unlike the transmitted light just mentioned above, the light source of a reflective LED light is above the object. Therefore it is very suitable for observing some opaque objects.
objective (optics)
The objective lens is the lens that is directly in front of the object to be observed. The objective lens is usually used together with the eyepiece, and generally speaking, before observing the object is through the combination of microscope eyepiece and objective lens to have a preliminary judgment on the magnification.
How Does a Stereo Microscope Work?
Stereo microscopes are called stereo microscopes because, unlike ordinary optical microscopes, they image objects in three dimensions, closer to what we can really see. Stereo microscopes are able to present three-dimensional imaging thanks to their two separate optical paths and their corresponding objectives and eyepieces. These two different perspectives are automatically combined in the human brain and we see the image in three dimensions. This is why stereo microscopes are used in the field of biology and to observe circuit boards.
What is the difference between a stereo microscope and a compound microscope?
When you want to buy a microscope, it is better for you to know the difference between a stereo microscope and a compound microscope. Otherwise it may cause some trouble to your subsequent observation. We can make a simple distinction between them from the following two angles. The first is the object imaging, as mentioned above, the imaging of stereo microscope is three-dimensional, while the imaging of compound microscope is two-dimensional plane. The second point is that their magnification is different, general stereo microscope magnification in 5 times to 50 times. The magnification of compound microscope is between 40 times and 1000 times, and even higher. Therefore, the use of compound microscope can observe the form of some bacteria, cells and so on.
What Are the Uses of a Stereo Microscope Including Those?
As we mentioned earlier, stereo microscopes are used in many different fields. In the field of biology, stereo microscopes can be used to observe plants or living organisms. In the electronics and machinery industry, stereo microscopes can be used to observe circuit boards for quality control. In geology, stereo microscopes are also used to study minerals, fossils, and other materials. If you are a gemstone collector, you can also use stereo microscopes to observe the internal structure of gemstones. In short, stereo microscopes are used in a wide range of applications.
