Monday, February 26, 2007

Reflected light microscopy is often referred to as incident light, and is the method of choice for fluorescence and for imaging specimens that remain opaque even when ground to a thickness of 30 microns. The reflecting light microscope differs substantially from other microscopes. Light must be directed onto the smooth surface of an opaque mineral in such a manner that it can reflect up the microscope tube. The illuminating system is located way up the microscope tube, light is directed horizontally through an assemblage of diaphragms, lenses and a polarizer. The rays pass through an objective, hit the surface of interest and reflect upward, partly passing through the reflector up the tube, through an ocular lens system, then reaching the observer.