Microscope Use Procedures

There are a lot of guidelines and procedures when you handle compound light microscope. The first thing to do is to lift the compound light microscope properly with both hands and place it on the table or on your workbench with the eyepiece lens facing you. Do not carry the microscope holding the ocular lens nor the stage. The first things to hold is the arm and support it with your other hand on the base. If the microscope still has the plastic cover, remove it carefully and put it in the microscope case.

Make sure that the switch of the microscope is on the off button and the light is on the lowest setting before you plug the microscope. After plugging and checking that the microscope is fully functional, lower the stage and place your microscope glass slide in the microscope stage. If everything is ready, adjust the interpupillary distance of the lens before viewing the specimen mounted on the microscope stage. Take a closer look to specimen you are viewing through the binocular lens and if the specimen can not be seen try adjusting the fine focusing knob. By using the fine adjustment knob you can achieve the right focus on the specimen you are viewing. If you want to see the whole detail of your slide specimen you need to adjust the slide positioning knob. Take down notes of what you see under the compound light microscope and document everything including the dates. After the experiment return the Microscope properly to where you got it.

Make sure that all slides are removed, no moisture and materials left on the surface of the microscope. The objective must always be on the low power, the lights are also in the low setting and the power is turned off before return the microscope. Wrap the microscope once again with the same protective plastic and return to the locker or to the microscope case if you have one. The important things to know and remember when handling the microscope Never wash the microscope with water, even the lens and objectives; they can be wiped but never washed. If you achieved proper focus, do not move the microscope on its place because when you move it, the focus will also alter. If the microscope is moved all the time the probability of damage is very high and you might need to buy a new microscope if this thing happens.