Optical and Light Microscopes Specifications

Help with Optical and Light Microscopes specifications:

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	Application:
	Your choices are...
	Biological / Life Science		Microscopes used for biological or life sciences inspections.  These types of microscopes might include those that transmit light or environmental scanning electron microscopes (SEM).
	Gemological		Microscope used for gemological inspection.  These microscopes often use polarized light with lower magnifying powers to allow for brighter, sharper images combined with a wide field of view.
	Measuring / Toolmaker		Microscopes used by toolmakers for measuring properties of tools.  These microscopes are often used for dimensional measurement with lower magnifying powers to allow for brighter, sharper images combined with a wide field of view.
	Medical / Forensic		Microscopes used for medical or forensic inspection purposes.  These microscopes are often hands-free, binocular microscopes with lower magnifying powers to allow for brighter, sharper images combined with a wide field of view.
	Metallurgical		Microscope used for metallurgical inspection.  Often metallurgical microscopes are inverted for viewing the bottom of a sample with lower magnifying powers to allow for brighter, sharper images combined with a wide field of view.
	Semiconductor Inspection		Microscopes used to study the layers in a semiconductor wafer or fabricated IC component.  This inspection calls for greater precision and throughput.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary application.
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	Grade:
	Your choices are...
	Student		Student microscopes are the smallest and least expensive type of microscope. They are capable of advanced techniques and documentation even though they are for student use. They are designed for bright field, dark field, and phase contrast.
	Benchtop		Benchtop microscopes are used in various industries such as textiles and animal husbandry.  Benchtop microscopes can perform many techniques, but can only perform a few techniques at one time.
	Research		Research microscopes are large, weighing in the range of 30Kg to 50 Kg. This mass is composed of complex optical, mechanical, and electronic systems. They may use multiple cameras, large specimens, and the widest range of simultaneous techniques. Many will have built-in computers to control the cameras and other functions including focus or image processing.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary microscope grade.
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	Microscope Type:
	Your choices are...
	Stereomicroscope		A stereomicroscope uses two different paths of light. This allows a specimen to be seen in 3-D. Stereomicroscopes have high depth perception but low resolution and magnification. These microscopes are great for dissecting as well as for viewing fossils and insect specimens. The best models have a built-in light source and zoom capabilities.
	Compound		Compound microscopes use a single light path. They can either have a single eyepiece (monocular) or a dual eyepiece (binocular). Compound microscopes have low depth perception but high resolution and magnification. They are used for viewing very small specimens such as cells, pond life samples, and other microscopic life forms.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary optical microscope.
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Performance Specifications

	Total Magnification:		A ratio of the size of an image to its corresponding object. This is usually determined by linear measurement.  This specification is meant to represent the entire magnification range of a microscope including both the eyepiece magnification and the objective magnification.
	Search Logic:		User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.
	Field of View:		The extent of the visible image field that can be seen when the microscope is in focus.
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	Working Distance:		This is the distance between the objective front lens and the top of the cover glass when the specimen is in focus. In most instances, the working distance of an objective decreases as magnification increases. Working distance values are not included on all objectives and their presence varies depending upon the manufacturer. Common abbreviations are: L, LL, LD, and LWD (long working distance), ELWD (extra-long working distance), SLWD (super-long working distance), and ULWD (ultra-long working distance).
	Search Logic:		User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.

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Features and Options

	Computer Interface?		The microscope can be controlled or monitored remotely with a computer via interface.
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	Image Analysis Processing Software?		The microscope has application software included for control or for analyzing images.
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	Eyepiece Style:
	Your choices are...
	Monocular		A microscope with one objective and one body tube for monocular vision.
	Binocular		A microscope fitted with double eyepieces for vision with both eyes. The purpose in dividing the same image from a single objective of the usual compound microscope is to reduce eyestrain and muscular fatigue, which may result from monocular, high-power microscopy.  These types of microscopes are also used for stereoscopic vision, which allows for depth perception of the sample.
	Dual Head		A dual head has one vertical eyepiece lens and a second eyepiece off the side at 45 degrees (So that two people can view the sample at one time, or one person and a camera).
	Trinocular		A microscope with a vertical tube at the top and regular binocular eyepieces at 30 degrees.  The vertical tube is often used for a digital camera or a second observer.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary eyepiece style.
	Search Logic:		All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.
	Digital Display?		A microscope that uses digital technology to display the magnified image.
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	Mechanical Stage?		Stages are often equipped with a mechanical device that holds the specimen slide in place and can smoothly translate the slide back and forth as well as from side to side. Other stages are designed to allow rotation of the specimen through 360 degrees or to provide anchors for auxiliary light sources, specimen manipulation tools, and other accessories.
	Search Logic:		"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice.
	Spring Loaded Front Lens?		A spring loaded lens will prevent damage when the objective is accidentally driven onto the surface of a microscope slide
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	Variable Working Distance?		A variable working distance allows the objective to image specimens through glass cover slips of variable thickness.
	Search Logic:		"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice.
	Oil Immersion Lens?		A lens that requires a drop of special oil on the subject for use. The oil is put on the cover slip, and the objective is actually lowered into the oil. Oil immersion lenses are sealed to avoid damage by the oil.
	Search Logic:		"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice.
	Fine Focus?		The fine focus is used to make adjustments to the body tube, bringing the specimen into more fine focus.
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