ACCU SCOPE 3012 Phase Contrast Microscopy Instruction Manual
- June 13, 2024
- ACCU SCOPE
Table of Contents
ACCU SCOPE 3012 Phase Contrast Microscopy
Product Information
The product is a microscope that utilizes phase contrast microscopy to enhance the visibility of transparent specimens. It allows users to observe detailed structures of completely transparent specimens by utilizing darkfield illumination, edge scattering, diffraction of light, and polarized light.
Product Usage Instructions
- Install the Phase Contrast Components and align the condenser to the optic axis of the microscope.
- Place the object on the object plane.
- Partially open the field diaphragm until the image of the diaphragm is close to the edge of the field of view.
- Adjust the condenser carrier centering screws to align the condenser to the microscope’s optical axis.
- Raise the condenser to its highest position.
- Replace the stained slide with a phase contrast specimen (e.g., fresh cheek cell preparation).
- Remove one eyepiece and install the supplied alignment telescope.
- Focus the telescope on the phase ring inside the 10x Phase Contrast objective.
- Rotate the condenser-turret to the 10 position and observe through the telescope to see two different rings (Phase Plate and Light Annulus Alignment).
- Use the adjusting screws on the condenser turret to align annular light rings.
Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem | Cause | Corrective Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Poor phase contrast image is obtained | The condenser phase annulus image and |
the objective phase plate
are not aligned
The condenser phase annulus and the objective phase code do not
match.
The phase difference of the specimen is too large.
The specimen cover glass is incorrect| Adjust the phase annulus to align it
with the objective phase
plate.
Rotate the phase annulus selector wheel to the position that
matches the objective in use.
Prepare the specimen using a different refractive index immersion
fluid.
Replace with 0.17mm thick cover glass.
SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTIONS
PHASE CONTRAST MICROSCOPY
- The normal microscopic object is seen because it has regions of varying density. In normal brightfield illumination, a completely transparent specimen is very difficult to observe in detail because all areas of the specimen are equally dense.
- Darkfield illumination displays border effects in completely transparent specimens due to edge scattering and diffraction of light. Polarized light is useful when transparent specimens have directional or crystalline properties.
- Phase contrast microscopy is a type of illumination system to observe transparent media. This form of illumination is utilized extensively in the study of transparent living cells without the need for staining or fixing while being able to obtain good image contrast. The light from phase contrast illumination arrives at the user’s eyes at ½ the normal wavelength. This light-altering system produces a visible image of an otherwise invisible, transparent specimen.
- The optical light path necessary for phase contrast is shown in Figure 1. A clear annulus in the focal plane of the condenser is imaged at infinity by the condenser and then re-imaged by the objective in its rear focal plane. The undiffracted light passes through this image. It is reduced in intensity and given a one-quarter wave phase shift by means of an annular phase pattern in the rear focal plane of the objective. These two changes in the undiffracted portion of the beam simulate the phase and intensity distribution which would be present in the objective focal plane if the specimen had density variations rather than refractive index variations. As a result, the image formed by the beam interfering with the diffracted beam simulates that of a specimen having density variations.
IMAGE FORMATION BY PHASE CONTRAST
An annular aperture in the diaphragm placed in the focal plane of the
substage condenser controls the illumination of the specimen. The aperture is
imaged by the condenser and objective at the rear focal plane or at the exit
pupil of the objective. A phase shifting element, or phase plate, is placed in
the image plane. Light passing through the phase altering pattern acquires a ¼
wave length advance over that diffracted by the object structure and passes
through that region of the phase plate not covered by the altering pattern.
The resultant interference effects of the two portions of light form the final
image. Altered phase relations in the illumination rays, induced by otherwise
invisible elements in the specimen, are translated into brightness differences
by the phase-altering plate.
Installation
Installation of the Phase Contrast Components and alignment of the Condenser to the Optic Axis of the Microscope
- Mount the Phase Contrast objectives onto the nosepiece— clockwise lowest to highest magnification.
- Install the Phase Contrast Turret-style N.A. 1.25 condenser onto the condenser carrier.
- Raise the condenser carrier rack to its highest position.
- Position the condenser turret rotating plate to the “BF” position.
- Select the 10x Phase Contrast objective.
- Place a “stained slide” specimen on the stage and focus the microscope.
- Close the field diaphragm, then lower the condenser until an image of the field diaphragm comes into focus on the object plane.
- Partially open the field diaphragm until the image of the diaphragm is close to the edge of the field of view. Now adjust the condenser carrier “centering screws” to align the condenser to the microscope’s optical axis.
- Raise the condenser to its highest position.
- Replace the “stained slide” with a phase contrast specimen (for example, a fresh “cheek cell” preparation).
- Remove one eyepiece and install the supplied alignment telescope. Focus the telescope on the phase ring inside the 10x Phase Contrast objective.
- Rotate the condenser-turret to the “10” position. As you observe through the telescope you will see two different rings, See illustration Phase Plate and Light Annulus Alignment.
- The condenser turret has two adjusting screws. These are used to align annular light rings in the condenser-turret to the corresponding phase ring in the objectives. Adjust the 10 annulus so that it is aligned – see Figure C below.(The 10 annulus will now function with both the 10x and optional 20x Phase objective on 3012 models).
- Repeat the above annulus alignment procedure for the remaining Phase objectives on the microscope.
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
PHASE CONTRAST MICROSCOPY
| PROBLEM | CAUSE | CORRECTIVE MEASURE |
|---|
Poor phase contrast image is obtained
| The condenser phase annulus image and the objective phase plate are not
aligned| Adjust the phase annulus so that it is aligned with the objective
phase plate.
The condenser phase annulus and the objective phase code do not match.| Rotate
the phase annulus selector wheel to the position that matches the objective in
use
The phase difference of the specimen is too large.| Prepare the specimen using
a different refractive index immersion fluid
The specimen cover glass is incorrect| Replace with 0.17mm thick cover glass
73 Mall Drive • Commack, NY 11725 • www.accu-scope.com • Phone 631-864-1000 • Fax 631-543-8900