Digital Microsopy Center, University of Washington
July 29, 2016
2
Details on Getting Started With The Microscope
See the Nikon Optiphot manual for additional information about the microscope.
Start-up
1.
Epi-fluorescence.
1.1.
When using fluorescence, turn on the mercury lamp before anything else;
1.2.
The xenon arc lamp power supply sits on the shelf over the microscope;
1.3.
Press the rocker switch labeled “POWER” towards “I”, the green light will come on;
1.4.
Press the button labeled “IGNITION” for about 3-4 seconds, never more than 10 seconds;
1.5.
The amber “LAMP READY” flashes, then is steady in 1-2 minutes, after lamp stabilizes;
1.6.
If the amber indicator doesn’t come on in 3 minutes, turn off the power, wait 5 minutes then
proceed from step 1.2;
1.7.
If the bulb fails to ignite, it may be too hot from prior use, the bulb may be faulty or may
need to be reseated. Contact facility staff.
2.
Transmitted Illumination with halogen lamp (Figure 1).
2.1.
Power switch turned on by the black switch, left front corner of the microscope base;
2.1.1.
This lamp is used for brightfield, phase contrast, and darkfield microscopy
2.2.
Lamp intensity is controlled by 3 means:
2.2.1.
Lamp voltage controlled by slider at front of the microscope base
2.2.2.
Neutral density filters mounted below the condenser (Figure 1, Table 2)
2.2.2.1.
Avoids need to change lamp voltage, which alters white balance
2.2.3.
Photo Button – sets lamp to 9V, which is much too bright for the digital camera
3.
Beam Splitter (Figure 3, Table 1)
3.1.
3 options for dividing the light between the eyepieces and camera port
Table 1. Beamsplitter positions.
Position
Image path
In
100% to eyepieces
Middle
14% to eyepieces/86% to camera
Fully out
100% to camera
