Substage condenser | Back Forward Up (Microscope Basics) Main Page |
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To focus the condenser place an easy to focus sample on the stage and focus
it using a low power objective. Close down both the lamp iris and the condenser
aperature diaphram. Focus the condenser on the edge of the lamp iris opening
using the condenser focusing knob. Check to see that the condenser is centered
over the crosshairs. If they are not, carefully use the centering screws
to center it as shown below. Open the lamp iris just enough to fill the
field of view with light and the edges are no longer visible.  The condenser aperature diaphram should never be used to control the amount of light reaching the sample. Neutral density filters or the lamp intensity control should be used instead. As described earlier (main card/optical microscopy basics/ lenses and magnification) the condenser aperature setting is directly related to the depth of focus, thus the resolution. The sample should be examined with the condenser aperature in a variety of positions since the combination of optics and the sample itself will determine which setting will provide the best image. |