Nomenclature / Identification

Controls

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*The above illustration shows the microscope with the U-RLBC mirror cube housing for the brightfield/darkfield vertical illuminator.  In the case of Birck's microscope, U-URBC is used and the cube selector knob is replaced by a turret.

*Not all controls are available on the Birck microscope.

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Eye Piece

1. Interpupillary distance adjustment

   1. While looking through the eyepieces, 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.

2. Diopter Adjustment

   1. Looking through the right eyepiece (2) with your right eye, rotate the course and fine adjustment knobs to bring the specimen into focus.

   2. Looking through the left eyepiece with your left eye, turn the diopter adjustment ring (1) to focus on the specimen.

3. Eye Shades

   1. Since you will be using safety glasses of some sort, use with the eye shades in their normal folded down position. This will prevent the eyeglasses from being scratched.

BF/DF Light Path Selection

1. Select the cube according to the observation purpose (1).

   1. Bright Field

   2. Dark Field

Filters

Pushing or pulling filters will place them into or out of the observation path.

  2. Filter Slider

  3. Analyzer Slider

  4. Polarizer Slider

Intensity Ratio Selector

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

Light Path Selector	Symbol	Intensity Ratio	Application
Pushed in	Open	100% for binocular eyepieces	Observation of dark specimens
Middle position	Open	20% for binocular eyepieces, 80% for TV/photography	Observation of bright specimens, photography, Tv observation
Pulled out	Open	100% for TV/photography	Photography, TV observation

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 knob (2) and the field iris centering knob (3) 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 knob (2) and the aperture iris centering knob (3) are used to adjust the aperture iris size and position in relation to the observation path.

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.

Illumination Controls

1. Light Intensity Adjustment Slider

2. Light Intensity / Voltage Indicator

   1. For photomicrography the intensity should at approximately the level indicated by the camera symbol (

      )

   2. The numbers to the right indicate the approximate voltage of the light.

3. Transmitted / Reflected light selector switch.

   1. Open

      

Focus Knob

1. Course adjustment knob tension adjustment (1).

   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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

XY Axis Knob

1. Y axis translation knob is the top knob and rotation will cause the stage to translate toward and away from you when looking in the eyepiece.

2. X axis translation knob is the bottom knob and rotation will cause the stage to translate left and right when looking in the eyepiece.

3. Y axis lock (3) is used to lock the y axis, and only allow translation in the x direction.