Frequently, a microscope may be in excellent working order, but the operator my be unfamiliar with proper microscopical methods or advanced techniques: hence, the operator may not be able to use the instrument to its best advantage, and erroneous information may be obtained. Micro-Optical Methods provides a consulting service specializing in a number of aspects of microscopy. Individual or group instruction can be tailored to fit your organization's particular needs, and can be made to fit your work schedule. Proper operator instruction can be helpful in improving efficiency through the elimination of operator fatigue, image misinterpretation and substandard image capturing techniques.
These courses are taught in either our educational lab space or our staff can provide a course at a clients site. Using a combination of ours and a client's in-house equipment a program can be tailored to your needs.
Course Outline: Scientific Principles and Applications of light Microscopy
1. Geometric Optics
A. Principles and actions of the major lens systems in a microscope.
B. Adjusting the microscope for optimal illumination (Koehler Illumination) and magnification.
C. Choosing correct objectives and condensers for optimal magnification, field of view and working distance.
D. Basic differences between reflected light and transmitted light systems.
2. Diffraction Theory
A. Requirements for resolution.
B. Calculations.
C. Application in image formation.
D. Relationship to contrast techniques.
3. Operator Maintenance
A. Troubleshooting methods
B. Routine preventive maintenance
4. Fundamentals of Contrast Methods and Image Illumination
A. Interaction of light with matter and detection by
contrast methods.
B. Contrast Methods
1. Brightfield Illumination
2. Relatively coherent brightfield illumination
3. Oblique illumination
4. Darkfield illumination
5. Rheinberg illumination
6. Phase contrast
7. Differential interference contrast
8. Hoffman modulation contrast
C. Components, set-up and adjustments of major contrasting systems
D. Image interpretation
E. Fluorescence
F. Specimen Preparation
*Categories below can be expanded into more in-depth courses
5. Measurements and Measuring Techniques
A. Calibration
B. Transverse and longitudinal
C. Interferometry
6. Introduction to polarized Light
A. Principles needed to use polarized light for observing some properties of isotropic and anisotropic materials.
B. How to use the Michele-Levy Chart
C. Compensator adjustments and image interpretation using the Nomarski Differential Interference contrast method.
7. Digital and Film Based Image Capture
A. Concepts of digital image capture
B. Manipulating the digital image
C. Matching film and objective tonal range
D. Characteristic curve interpretation.
8. Refraction Index Measurements and Interpretation
A. Becke line test
B. Dispersion staining
C. Automatic "matching" techniques
Course Outline: Microscope Maintenance Workshop
1. Troubleshooting Techniques
2. Routine Operator Maintenance
3. Stocking and Using a Maintenance Tool Kit
These courses are taught in either our educational lab space or our staff can provide a course at a clients site. Using a combination of ours and a client's in-house equipment a program can be tailored to your needs.
Course Outline: Scientific Principles and Applications of light Microscopy
1. Geometric Optics
A. Principles and actions of the major lens systems in a microscope.
B. Adjusting the microscope for optimal illumination (Koehler Illumination) and magnification.
C. Choosing correct objectives and condensers for optimal magnification, field of view and working distance.
D. Basic differences between reflected light and transmitted light systems.
2. Diffraction Theory
A. Requirements for resolution.
B. Calculations.
C. Application in image formation.
D. Relationship to contrast techniques.
3. Operator Maintenance
A. Troubleshooting methods
B. Routine preventive maintenance
4. Fundamentals of Contrast Methods and Image Illumination
A. Interaction of light with matter and detection by
contrast methods.
B. Contrast Methods
1. Brightfield Illumination
2. Relatively coherent brightfield illumination
3. Oblique illumination
4. Darkfield illumination
5. Rheinberg illumination
6. Phase contrast
7. Differential interference contrast
8. Hoffman modulation contrast
C. Components, set-up and adjustments of major contrasting systems
D. Image interpretation
E. Fluorescence
F. Specimen Preparation
*Categories below can be expanded into more in-depth courses
5. Measurements and Measuring Techniques
A. Calibration
B. Transverse and longitudinal
C. Interferometry
6. Introduction to polarized Light
A. Principles needed to use polarized light for observing some properties of isotropic and anisotropic materials.
B. How to use the Michele-Levy Chart
C. Compensator adjustments and image interpretation using the Nomarski Differential Interference contrast method.
7. Digital and Film Based Image Capture
A. Concepts of digital image capture
B. Manipulating the digital image
C. Matching film and objective tonal range
D. Characteristic curve interpretation.
8. Refraction Index Measurements and Interpretation
A. Becke line test
B. Dispersion staining
C. Automatic "matching" techniques
Course Outline: Microscope Maintenance Workshop
1. Troubleshooting Techniques
2. Routine Operator Maintenance
3. Stocking and Using a Maintenance Tool Kit
Course Outline: Creating Art through the Microscope
1. Students are introduced to the compound microscope and it's workings.
2. Students are instructed in the use of the camera lucida, projection macro/microscopes, and digital imaging techniques.
3. Students will be shown how to select a specimen that would best express their creative talents.
Additional Courses Offered:
Exploring the micro-worlds of water and soil
Up-close and personal: exploring the macro-world
1. Students are introduced to the compound microscope and it's workings.
2. Students are instructed in the use of the camera lucida, projection macro/microscopes, and digital imaging techniques.
3. Students will be shown how to select a specimen that would best express their creative talents.
Additional Courses Offered:
Exploring the micro-worlds of water and soil
Up-close and personal: exploring the macro-world
