Refer to the Material and Process Compatibility page for information on materials compatible with this tool.
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iLab Name: C - Nikon Eclipse L150 Microscope 1 (N Bay) & C - Nikon Eclipse L150 Microscope 2 (N Bay)
iLab Kiosk: BRK Metrology Core
FIC: Shared
Owner: Bill Rowe
Location: Cleanroom Bay N
Maximum Wafer Size:

Overview

General Description

The Olympus BX-60 Microscope can be used for sample inspection in reflection mode. Image capture is obtained though an Insight (18.2 Color Mosaic) CCD camera and "Spot Advanced" software.

Specifications

Reflection Mode Light Source: 100Watt halogen
Available observations:
- Reflected light brightfield
- Reflected light darkfield
- Reflected light Nomarski DIC
- Reflected light simplified polarized light
Objectives: 5X, 10X, 20X, 50X
Stage Travel: 105 x 100 x 52 mm

Tool Overview

Nomenclature / Identification

Controls

Eye Piece

Interpupillary distance adjustment
1. While looking through the eyepieces with a sample in focus, adjust for binocular vision until the left and right fields of view coincide completely. You should see one clear image when properly adjusted, out of adjustment and you will see double images.
Diopter Adjustment
1. Turn the diopter adjustment rings on both eyepieces to align their engraved lines with the edge of the outer tub of the eyepiece. This is the standard position.
2. Focus on the sample with the 10X objective using bright-field.
3. Bring the 50X objective into the optical path and focus on the sample by turning the coarse/fine focus knobs.
4. Bring the 5x or 10x objective into the optical path and focus on the sample by turning the diopter ring on the right eyepiece (not the coarse/fine adjustment knobs).
5. Now looking through the left eyepiece with your left eye, focus the sample by turing the left diopter adjustment ring.
6. Repeat for all objectives, making small adjustments to the diopter rings until the image stays in focus using any objective.

BF/DF Light Path Selection

Slide the mirror selector lever (1) toward the indication of the mirror for the desired observation method.
1. BF: Push for brightfield observation
2. DF: Pull for darkfield observation

Be sure to slide the mirror selector lever until it contacts the stopper position.

Filters

There are two filter sliders (1) at the end of the illuminator. Two filters can be set on each filter slider. The desired filters can be brought into the optical path by sliding the filter sliders in and out.

Usable Filters	Applications
NCB11 (neutral color balancing filter)	Color balance adjustment for general use and color photomicrography.
ND4 (transmission rate 25%)	Brightness adjustment
ND16 (transmission rate 6%)	Brightness adjustment
GIF (Green interference filter)	Contrast adjustment
IF	For interference

Intensity Ratio Selector

Push or pull the intensity ratio selector (1) to select the desired light path.

Light Path Selector	Symbol	Intensity Ratio
Pushed in		100% for binocular eyepieces
Middle position		20% for binocular eyepieces, 80% for TV/photography
Pulled out		100% for TV/photography

Field Iris

The field iris is used to restrict the diameter of the beam of light entering the objective and thus excludes stray light from the observation path improving image contrast. The diameter of the field iris should be adjusted for each objective power to the extent that is just circumscribes the field of view.

The field iris diaphragm slider (1) and the field iris centering screw (2) are used to adjust the field iris size and position in relation to the observation path.

Aperture Iris

The aperture iris diaphragm determines the numerical aperture of the illumination system. Matching the numerical aperture of the illumination system with that of the objective provides better image resolution and contrast, and also increases the depth of focus.

The aperture iris diaphragm slider (1) is used to adjust the aperture iris size in relation to the observation path. Typically adjusted to 7-80% of the objective's exit pupil.

Revolving Nosepiece

The revolving nosepiece allows the user to easily swap objective lenses into the observation path. Grasp the knurled ring and rotate the nosepiece clockwise or counterclockwise until you feel the detent snap into position.

If the objective is not located at a detent with objective installed, then the observation path will be blocked and the user will only see black.

Do not attempt to rotate the nosepiece by grasping the object lense assembly directly. This can damage the objective lense.

Illumination Controls

Light Intensity Adjustment knob (1).

Focus Knob

Coarse adjustment knob
1. The larger knob is course stage adjustment and is used to quickly move the stage up and down for sample focusing.
Fine adjustment knob
1. The small knob farthest from the microscope base is the fine adjustment knob, and is used to move the stage vertically in small increments to facilitate fine focus of the sample.
Coarse adjustment knob tension adjustment.
1. Typically, the coarse adjustment knob tension is preadjusted for easy use.
2. If adjusted, turning in the direction of the arrow will increase tension and vise versa.
3. If the stage drops by itself when the knob is released, or the microscope quickly loses focus after adjustment the tension is set too low, rotate the ring in the direction of the arrow to correct.

Coarse Focus Stopper

The coarse focus stopper restricts the movement of the coarse focus knob so the stage cannot be raised beyond the operators specified limit.

With the sample in focus, turn the coarse focus stopper ring as far as it will go in the direction of the arrow on the base of the microscope (about 3/4 revolution). The coarse focus stopper is now clamped in position. When changing the sample, lower the stage by turning only the coarse focus knob. After changing the sample, gently raise the stage by turning only the coarse focus knob as far as it will go. The sample should be roughly in focus when the stage has been raised as far as it will go. Use the fine focus knob to bring the sample into perfect focus.

Standard Operating Procedure

General Observation Procedure for Reflected Mode Microscopy

Set the cube selector (1) to BF for bright field.

Disengage the filter slider, analyzer slider, and polarizer slider (3) from the light path.

Make sure light intensity preset button (3) is OFF.

Press the main switch (3) to "I" (ON) and adjust the light intensity with the light intensity knob (1).

Using the coarse focus adjustment knob (1), move the stage to the lowest position. Place sample on the stage.

Note: Be sure that the surface of the specimen to be observed is perpendicular to the optical axis of the microscope.

Turn the revolving nosepiece to engage the 5X objective. While looking through the eyepiece, use the coarse focus adjustment knob to raise the stage and bring the sample into focus.

Adjust interpupillary distance as necessary for clear binocular vision.

Looking only through the right eyepiece with your right eye, use the fine adjustment knob to bring the sample into final focus.

Looking only through the left eyepiece, use the diopter ring (1) to bring the left eyepiece into focus. This corrects the microscope observation paths for any differences between your left and right eye. You should now see a clear image through both lenses.

Adjust the field iris as necessary to obtain appropriate illumination for the sample.

Pull out the field iris diaphragm knob (2) to reduce the diameter of the diaphragm.
If necessary, turn the centering screw (3) to adjust so that the image of the diaphragm is centered in the field of view.
To check center, push the field iris knob (2) in to increase the diameter of the diaphragm until it touches the periphery of the field of view. If the image is not centered, adjust as necessary.
Further enlarge the field iris diaphragm diameter until its image just circumscribes the field of view.

Reflected light bright field observation - To obtain good image contrast, adjust the diameter of the illuminating beam in accordance with the objective in use. Using the field iris diaphragm knob (2) on the vertical illuminator, adjust the diaphragm so that the field of view is circumscribed by the field iris diaphragm in order to exclude stray light.

Reflected light dark field observation - Always keep the field iris diaphragm knob (2) pushed in to leave the diaphragm open.

Adjust the aperture iris as necessary to obtain appropriate illumination for the sample.

Remove the eyepieces to observe the diaphragm directly.
Looking through the eyepiece sleeves, pull out the aperture iris diaphragm knob (2) to leave the diaphragm approximately 70% open.
If necessary, center the diaphragm by manipulating the aperture iris diaphragm centering screw (3).

Reflected light bright field observation - In general, a good image is obtained if the diaphragm is reduced down to 70-80% of the objective's numerical aperture.

Reflected light dark field observation - Generally, you will always keep the aperture iris diaphragm knob (2) pushed in to leave the diaphragm open.

Note: Depending on the specimen, an image with good contrast and little flare may sometimes be obtained by keeping the aperture iris diaphragm stopped down a little more. Please experiment with this to see if it works with the particular specimen.

Engage the filters suitable for your observation

Usable Filters

Applications

U-BP1100IR

(Band Pass Filter)

Infrared

Photomicrography

This microscope is equipped with a photomicrography tube and camera for observation and photography using the attached PC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1?
1. Answer 1.

References

Olympus-BX51 Manual.pdf

Nikon Eclipse L150 Industrial Microscope