ACCU-SCOPE EXC-120 Microscope Instructions
- June 13, 2024
- ACCU SCOPE
Table of Contents
ACCU-SCOPE EXC-120 Microscope
Product Information
The EXC-120 Microscope Series is equipped with a Phase Contrast Supplement,
which allows for enhanced visualization of transparent specimens. The phase
contrast components consist of a Phase Retarder Ring inside each Phase
Contrast objective and an Annulus Ring in the condenser. These components
work together to shape the incoming light and create contrast in the image.
The microscope is designed to accommodate different objectives, including 10x,
20x, 40x, and 100xR oil objectives. The Phase Contrast Condenser/Turret is
adjustable and holds the annuli rings, which can be individually moved in an
X-Y manner to align them with the gray phase ring in each objective.
Product Usage Instructions
- Installation
- Start by installing the Phase Contrast objectives on the microscope’s nosepiece, beginning with the 10x objective. Rotate the nosepiece clockwise and install the 20x, 40x, and 100xR oil objectives in numerical order.
- Mount and secure the Phase Contrast Condenser/Turret into the condenser carrier mounting ring. Use the provided screwdriver to tighten the set screw. Note that the condenser mounting ring has been pre-centered at the factory.
- Select the brightfield position on the Condenser/Turret by rotating it clockwise until the “B” clicks into place.
- Rotate the nosepiece to bring the 10x objective into position.
- Raise the Condenser/Turret to its highest position.
- Place a prepared, stained specimen on the stage and focus the 10x objective on it.
- Alignment
- To align the phase contrast components, follow the steps below
- Replace one eyepiece with the Centering Telescope
- Insert the Centering Telescope into the eyetube.
- Looking through the Centering Telescope, focus it on the gray 10x Ph phase ring in the objective until the ring appears sharp.
- With the 10x objective in position, rotate the Condenser/Turret clockwise until the 10x annulus position is in front and clicks into place.
- Move the 10x annulus on the underside of the Condenser/Turret to align its image with the phase ring in the objective. Refer to the diagram for guidance.
- Repeat the above procedure for each Phase Contrast objective, ensuring that each annulus is aligned with its corresponding phase ring.
For additional information or support, please contact Accu-Scope at
73 Mall Drive, Commack, NY 11725
- Phone: 631-864-1000
- Fax: 631-543-8900
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.accu-scope.com
Components
- Phase contrast consists of two components for each phase contrast objective installed on the microscope
- Phase Retarder Ring inside each Ph objective. This gray Phase ring is observed using the focusable Phase Centering Telescope supplied with the system. In the following instruction you will be advised when to substitute the telescope for one of the microscope’s eyepieces
- Annulus Ring in the condenser. There is a different annulus for each objective—one ring corresponding to each Ph objective. Its purpose is to shape the incoming light into a hollow cylinder. The annuli are mounted in holders that are individually movable in an X-Y manner— so as to be able to align the image of each annulus with the gray phase ring in each objective.
Installation
- Install the Ph objectives on the microscope’s nosepiece starting with the 10x, and then rotate the nosepiece clockwise and install the 20x, 40x and 100xR oil objectives in numerical order.
- Install the Phase Contrast Condenser/Turret into the condenser carrier mounting ring and tighten the set screw with the screwdriver that came with your microscope.
- NOTE: The condenser mounting ring has been pre-centered at the factory.
- Select the B for brightfield position on the Condenser/Turret by rotating it clockwise until the B clicks into place as shown.
- Rotate the nosepiece and bring the 10x objective into position.
- Raise the Condenser/Turret to its highest position.
- Place a familiar “prepared, stained specimen” on the stage and focus the 10x objective on this specimen.
Alignment
To align, you need to superimpose the image of each annulus onto its
corresponding phase ring in each objective by using the Centering Telescope as
described in the sequence below.
Replace one eyepiece with the Centering Telescope
- Remove one of the eyepieces by loosening the set screw slightly (if present), then gently pulling the eyepiece out of the eyetube. Do not remove the set screw completely – they are small and easily lost.
Insert the Centering Telescope into the eyetube.
- Looking through the Centering Telescope, focus the telescope on the gray 10x Ph phase ring in the objective until the gray ring is sharp.
- With the 10x objective in position, select the annulus position that matches the 10x objective in use by rotating the Condenser/Turret clockwise until the 10x annulus position is in front and clicks into place.
- Move the 10x annulus on the underside of the Condenser/Turret to align the image of the annulus to the phase ring in the objective as it appears in the diagram below as (c).
Repeat the above procedure 1-3 for each Phase contrast objective.
When alignment of all objectives is completed, replace the Centering Telescope
with the eyepiece and retighten the set screw – be careful not to overtighten
the set screw.
73 Mall Drive, Commack, NY 11725