Microscopes

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
26800B-302 Aven	MICRO STEREO ZM 10X-44X W/LIGHT	1
VE-S5C Velab Co.	BINOCULAR MICROSCOPE W/ 1.3MP	30
FIM-400 OK Industries (Jonard Tools)	MICROSCOPE PRTBL 400X W/LIGHT	4
26800B-223-SPZ Aven	SPZ-50 STEREO ZOOM MICROSCOPE WI	2
AM5216TF Dunwell Tech, Inc.	10X-70X VGA MICROSCOPE FAR WD	10
TKPZ-FA-LV2 O.C. White Co.	MICRO STEREO ZM 5X-65X W/LIGHT	2
TKPZT-LV2 O.C. White Co.	MICRO STEREO ZM 5X-65X W/LIGHT	1
VE-B50 Velab Co.	BIOLOGICAL BINOCULAR MICROSCOPE	30
VE-B400 Velab Co.	BINOCULAR BIOLOGICAL MICROSCOPE	30
26800B-373-2 Aven	SPZ-50 STEREO ZOOM BINOCULAR MIC	0
26800B-385 Aven	MICRO STEREO ZM 6.7X-143X W/LGT	0
1345 Adafruit	MICROSCOPE DGTL 25X-400X W/LIGHT	0
BIOS Velab Co.	BIOLOGICAL BINOCULAR MICROSCOPE	30
AF4515ZTL Dunwell Tech, Inc.	10X-140X USB MICROSCOPE LONG WD	9
26700-209-PLR Aven	MICROSCOPE DGTL 10X-200X W/LIGHT	84
F1DI1000 Fiber Instrument Sales	FIS DIGITAL USB INSPECTION PROBE	4
VE-146YT Velab Co.	TRINOCULAR MICROSCOPE	30
AM4517MT8A Dunwell Tech, Inc.	800X USB MICROSCOPE	9
VE-BC3PLUS Velab Co.	BINOCULAR MICROSCOPE W/ 3.0MP	30
VE-B6 Velab Co.	BINOCULAR SIEDENTOPF MICROSCOPE	30

Microscopes

1. Overview

Microscopes are optical instruments that use lenses or combinations of lenses to magnify and resolve fine details of specimens beyond the capability of the human eye. They play a critical role in scientific research, industrial quality control, medical diagnostics, and material analysis. Modern microscopes integrate advanced optics, digital imaging, and automation technologies to enable precise visualization and quantitative analysis at microscopic scales.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
Optical Microscope	Uses visible light and lenses for magnification (up to 1500x). Includes brightfield, darkfield, phase contrast, and fluorescence modes.	Biological sample observation, histology, metallurgical analysis
Electron Microscope	Utilizes electron beams for ultra-high resolution (up to 0.1 nm). Includes SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope).	Nanomaterial characterization, semiconductor defect analysis, virus imaging
Scanning Probe Microscope	Measures surface topography at atomic levels using a physical probe. Includes AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) and STM (Scanning Tunneling Microscope).	Surface roughness measurement, molecular manipulation
Confocal Microscope	Uses laser scanning and pinhole apertures to eliminate out-of-focus light, enabling 3D imaging.	Cell biology, fluorescent labeling, thick tissue imaging

3. Structure and Components

Typical components of an optical microscope include:

Optical System: Objective lenses (4x 100x magnification), eyepieces (10x 25x), and light source (LED, halogen, or laser).
Mechanical Frame: Stage for sample placement, focus adjustment knobs (coarse/fine), and revolver for lens switching.
Digital Imaging System: CMOS/CCD camera, image processing software, and display monitor.
Control Interface: Joystick for manual operation, motorized stages for automated scanning, and software for data analysis.

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Description	Importance
Resolution	Minimum distance between two distinguishable points (0.2 m for optical microscopes).	Determines the clarity of fine details.
Magnification Range	Combined power of objective and eyepiece (e.g., 40x 1000x).	Defines observable sample size limits.
Numerical Aperture (NA)	Light-gathering ability of the objective lens (e.g., 0.1 1.4).	Impacts resolution and depth of field.
Field of View (FOV)	Area visible in a single view (e.g., 0.5 2 mm diameter).	Affects sample navigation efficiency.
Working Distance	Distance between objective lens and sample (e.g., 0.5 50 mm).	Determines compatibility with large/3D samples.

5. Application Fields

Key industries and applications:

Life Sciences: Cellular morphology, histopathology, live-cell imaging.
Materials Science: Metallography, polymer surface analysis, composite material testing.
Semiconductor Industry: Wafer defect detection, circuit inspection (e.g., AOI systems).
Clinical Diagnostics: Blood smear analysis, microbiology, cytology.
Education: Student microscopes for basic biological research.

Case Study: In semiconductor manufacturing, confocal microscopes are used to inspect photomasks for defects smaller than 100 nm, ensuring chip yield rates exceed 95%.

6. Leading Manufacturers and Representative Products

Manufacturer	Product Example	Key Specifications
Carl Zeiss	Axio Imager 2	Resolution: 0.12 m, 100W LED illumination, motorized stage
Nikon	Eclipse Ti2	Max magnification: 1000x, CFI60 optical system
Olympus	BX53	6-axis motorized control, fluorescence imaging capability
Leica Microsystems	DM6 B	Automated magnification selection, color camera resolution: 18 MP

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

Application Requirements: Choose optical microscopes for live samples, electron microscopes for sub-nanometer resolution.
Budget Constraints: Entry-level models cost $5,000 $20,000; electron microscopes range from $100,000 to over $1M.
Automation Needs: Motorized stages and AI-based analysis software are essential for high-throughput production lines.
Sample Characteristics: Transparent samples require phase-contrast or DIC optics; conductive materials need SEM compatibility.
Future Scalability: Modular systems allow upgrades with fluorescence modules or Raman spectroscopy integration.

8. Industry Trends

Future developments include:

Super-Resolution Imaging: Techniques like STED and PALM breaking the diffraction limit (resolution <50 nm).
AI Integration: Deep learning algorithms for automatic defect classification in industrial inspection.
Multi-Modal Systems: Combined optical and X-ray tomography for 3D structural analysis.
Miniaturization: Portable microscopes with smartphone connectivity for field diagnostics.
Eco-Design: Energy-efficient LED illumination and recyclable polymer components.