Compound Microscope Advanced Facts

Compound microscopes utilize the magnification power of two or more lenses to exponentially increase magnification power.

Magnification

Compound microscopes have a magnification factor of around 2,000x before images become unrecognizable. As objects become more and more magnified, resolution, or image clarity, suffers. Past 2,000x, the human brain cannot comprehend the images.

Viewing

Despite most compound microscopes having a monocular viewing tube, the correct procedure for viewing is with both eyes open to prevent fatigue and discomfort in the face. Placing one hand over the eye not looking through the scope is a good way to gain focus.

History

The compound microscope was actually invented before the single-lens microscope. It was devised in 1590 by Hans Lippershey, Zacharias Jansen and Hans Jansen.

Lens

Compound microscope lenses are manufactured from glass or quartz and are shaped to refract light from the specimen to the eyeball.

Optical Microscopes

All optical microscopes, by definition, contain lenses and use electromagnetic light to create images, as opposed to electrons or other forms of energy. All compound microscopes are optical, but not all optical are compound unless they have two or more lenses.

References

• Microscopehelp: A Brief History of The Microscope
• AbsoluteAstronomy: Microscope
• Lab Essentials: Compound Microscopes