Download Nikon Eclipse E200 Microscope

Nikon Eclipse E200 Microscope
A microscope is an instrument used to visualize objects too small to see with the naked eye. Optical
microscopes, or light microscopes, use light to view the sample while electron microscopes get
their light source from accelerated electrons. A magnifying glass can be considered a simple
microscope whereas a compound microscope utilizes multiple lenses to magnify a sample. There
are many components standard to a compound optical microscope. The features specific to the
Nikon Eclipse E200 make it an ideal microscope for educational purposes, clinical laboratory use,
and basic research.
Standard microscope components
Fig 1: Microscope Components
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Eyepiece (ocular lens)
Objective lenses and revolver
Focus knobs
Stage
Light source
Condenser and diaphragm
Eyepiece (ocular lens)
The eyepiece, or ocular lens, is a system of one or two lenses that bring the object into focus for
the eye. These cylindrical tubes can be exchanged with eyepieces of different magnification.
Typically, a 10x magnification is used in the eyepiece but other options include 2x and 50x.
Objective lenses and revolver
The objective revolver, or turret, holds the various objective each objective. Generally three or
four objective lenses are screwed into the revolver. The objective is a cylinder containing one or
more glass lenses that collect light from the sample.
Microscope objectives typically range in magnification from
4x to 100x. The 100x objective is also called an oil
immersion objective because it requires oil to reduce the
refraction of light and direct it from the sample being viewed
to the objective lens. Combined with the magnification
provided in the eyepiece, an objective microscope typically
has up to a 1000x magnification (assuming it has a 10x
eyepiece and a 100x optical lens).
Fig 2: Objective Lenses
Focus knobs
Fine and course focus knobs move the stage up and down to bring the specimen into focus. The
course focus knob will be used first to get a general focus on the sample while the fine focus knob
moves in much smaller increments as to bring the sample into clear focus. With the focus knobs,
the depth of the sample can also be visualized.
Stage
The stage is the platform below the objectives on which the sample slide is clipped. There is a hole
in the middle through which the light passes in order to illuminate the specimen. Control knobs
allow small movements of the stage from left to right and front to back in order position the sample
between the objective and the light source. While the user transitions between the objectives from
lower magnification with a larger view range to a higher magnification with a smaller view range,
it is necessary to reposition the sample slide in order to center the specimen within view. This must
be done in very small increments and moving the stage by hand is not practical.
Light Source
While halogen lamps have been the most common light source within an optical microscope, LEDs
are becoming more common. The light is adjustable to provide more or less light for better
viewing.
Condenser and diaphragm
The condenser is the lens located below the stage that focuses light from the light source onto the
specimen. Just as the light source is adjustable for better viewing, the condenser may have a
diaphragm that limits the amount of light allowed to reach the sample. The diaphragm acts similar
to an iris where a smaller opening will allow less light to pass through and a larger opening will
allow more light to pass through.
Features of the Nikon Eclipse E200 Microscope
CFI60 optics
The CFI60 optics combines Nikon’s well-known CF optics with infinity optics to create sharp,
clear images usually only available with more pricy models while providing longer working
distances, which is the distance from the objective lens to the sample.
Anti-mold agents
The Nikon E200 is coated in anti-mold paint and anti-mold agent is sealed within areas such as
the objective and optical lenses. The resistance provided by these agents allows for usage in more
hot, humid environments that are conducive to bacterial growth.
Ergonomic design
The Nikon Eclipse E200 has adopted some design features from higher quality microscopes to
provide better ease of use. The stage adjustment
knobs on the right side of the microscope are
positioned equidistant from the front of the
microscope as the focus knobs. This allows the
X, Y, and Z axes of the sample slide to be
adjusted without disrupting the user’s natural
posture with twisting of the shoulders. The
knobs are located low on the microscope
allowing the user to prop their arms on the desk.
Also, the eyepieces are positioned at a low angle
providing a more comfortable viewing.
Fig 3: Ergonomic Design
Available attachments
What makes the Nikon E200 practical in many applications is the variety of attachments that are
available. Attachments for phase-contrast microscopy take advantage of differences in the
refractive index of different materials to distinguish between structures. Fluorescence parts provide
fluorescence and phosphorescence to be used in addition to reflection and absorbance to study
properties of organic and inorganic samples. Optical, phase-contrast, and fluorescence microscopy
are useful in many biological applications including morphology of plant and animal cells.
Polarizing accessories are used in contrast-enhancement and are beneficial when examining rocks
and minerals in thin sections.
Fig 4: Phase contrast
Fig 5: Epi-fluorescence
Fig 6: Polarizing
Camera compatibility
The Nikon E200 microscope allows for attachment of a digital camera when a trinocular eyepiece
is being utilized.
Complete process cycle
Once you understand how each component of a microscope works, bringing a sample specimen
into focus is fairly easy. The specimen slide is clipped to the stage and the objective revolver is
rotated so that the objective with the smallest magnification is pointed down over the sample. The
light source will be adjusted to maximum light to begin with and can be lowered as necessary. The
stage position knobs are used to position the slide left to right and front to back so that the cells
are between the objective and the light source. The sample will be brought into focus under the 4x
objective (or smallest magnification) first by using the course focus knob to locate the specimen
and then using the fine focus knob to produce a clear resolution. The objectives will be rotated
through increasing magnification and brought into focus at each step using the focus knobs. When
transitioning to the 100x objective, a drop of oil is placed on the sample slide. Once done viewing
the sample under 100x magnification, the oil will need to be cleaned off of the objective lens using
lens paper. The microscope can be turned off between uses to avoid buring out the halogen bulb.
Photo References
Nikon Eclipse E200. 2014. Nikon.com.Web. 19 Mar. 2015.*
Nikon Objective Lenses. 2014. Nikon.com.Web. 19 Mar. 2015.
Ergonomic Design. 2014. Nikon.com.Web. 19 Mar. 2015.
Phase Contrast Attachments. 2014. Nikon.com.Web. 19 Mar. 2015.
Epi-Fluorescence Attachments. 2014. Nikon.com.Web. 19 Mar. 2015.
Polarizing Attachments. 2014. Nikon.com.Web. 19 Mar. 2015.
*Photo was edited to include numbers for identification purposes.