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FINE FOCUS – the smaller inner knobs of the focus control which allows
for slow and
subtle focusing movement to bring the specimen into sharp
focus.
HEAD – the upper portion of the microscope
which contains the
refracting prisms and the eyepiece tubes which hold the eyepieces.
Note that the head rotates, allowing operation from the front or back.
ILLUMINATION – the M7000C base uses a 3.4V, .06W LED (Part # MA2215).
The M7000D base uses a 12V, 20W halogen bulb (Part # MA781).
IRIS DIAPHRAGM – a multi-leaf round shaped device which is controlled
by a lever. It is similar to a camera shutter, and is installed under the
condenser. By moving the lever back and forth, the iris diaphragm opens
and closes, increasing and decreasing the contrast of the specimen. If
the image is “washed out” the iris diaphragm is opened too wide. If the
image is too dark the iris is not open wide enough.
NOSEPIECE – the
revolving turret that holds the objective lenses,
permitting changes in magnification by rotating different powered
objective lenses into the optical path. The nosepiece must “click” into
place for the objectives to be in proper alignment.
OBJECTIVES – the optical systems which magnify the primary image of
the instrument. Magnifications are usually 4X, 10X, 40X and 100X.
STAGE – the table of the microscope where the slide is placed for viewing.
This component moves upward and downward when the focusing knobs
are turned. The stage of the Swift M7000 has a built-in mechanical stage
with a sub-stage “X” and “Y” axis controls. A finger clip holds the slide
securely and is designed to be a slow return holder to provide protection
to the specimen.
OTHER IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGY
“COATED” LENS – in attempting to transmit light through glass, much of
the light is lost through reflection. Coating a lens increases the light
transmission by reducing or eliminating reflection, thus allowing more
light to pass through.
