Choice of a high quality microscope
Microscope is a precision optical instrument, and its core technology is optical technology. The quality of the product depends on the optical system (including lighting system, objective lens, etc.), which is also the basic principle of choosing a microscope. In the imported microscope manufacturers (Zeiss, Leica, Nikon, and Olympus), the quality varies. Users should analyze rationally in the selection process and avoid going astray, which may result in inevitable economic losses. The following is an explanation of the key technical indicators that should be assessed during the selection process:
1, Imaging quality
We mainly use optical imaging principles to obtain microscopic tissue images, and then qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the images, so the quality of imaging is the most critical indicator. Clear images are referred to as sharp images in the field of metallography. To obtain sharp images, four basic conditions must be met: high contrast, high brightness, good color reproduction, and high resolution. However, contrast, brightness, and color reproduction are precisely the areas that users tend to overlook when choosing, blindly pursuing resolution and leading to selection failure. For example, the imaging quality of a Japanese brand microscope purchased by a large domestic steel mill in 2000 was far inferior to that of a German Zeiss microscope purchased in 1985, but the numerical aperture of the objective lens was higher than that of Zeiss. The reason is actually very simple. When manufacturing microscopes, these manufacturers only consider one factor that affects imaging quality - resolution, while ignoring other important factors such as contrast, brightness, and color reproduction. Zeiss, a German company, has done a good job in this regard. They use ICCS optical systems and innovative anti glare technology to significantly improve the contrast, brightness, and color reproduction of images, resulting in the most subtle organization and delicate colors. Only in this way can accurate image analysis be carried out.
2, Mechanical stability
Having good imaging quality is not enough, it should continue to maintain a high quality state over time. We refer to this as "mechanical stability" because microscopes are not low value consumables, and their normal service life should be over 30 years. In this regard, it is recommended that users focus on the following points: 1. Raw materials 2. Manufacturing accuracy 3. Mechanical design 4. Origin (currently, many imported microscope manufacturers have joint ventures in China). Users who have the conditions can bring their own samples for on-site inspection while comparing the above indicators, and only with comparison can identification be made. In short, choosing a good microscope is not only about purchasing a high-quality product, but also a visionary investment.
