What are some of the difficulties of observing organisms under a mircoscope? Question from Lab 4A using the compound microscope.
Answers
CHALLENGE 1: Low contrast and glare make it hard to see specific sample details.
In many imaging cases, a sample with low contrast cannot be clearly observed. In addition, some areas on a sample image can be too bright or too dark due to the sample material, texture or color, which can make it difficult to clearly observe surface conditions. To eliminate those inconveniences, illumination needs to be carefully adjusted, which can require considerable time.
SOLUTION: The combination of high-quality optics and advanced digital image processing allows optimized imaging without complex adjustment.
Today’s newest digital microscopes combine high-quality optics with advanced digital image processing features to allow clear observation of previously difficult surface conditions. For example, digital microscopes can offer an HDR (High Dynamic Range) function that combines several images taken at different exposures, enabling clear observation even with low-contrast images. With HDR, samples that previously may have required multiple pieces of equipment for precise observation can be clearly observed with a single system.
CHALLENGE 2: It is difficult to view an entire large sample at high resolution.
With conventional microscopes, it is often difficult to view an entire sample at high resolution. As magnification is increased, the observation field becomes narrower, and it becomes very hard to obtain an overall image of the sample.
SOLUTION: With new digital microscope technology, there is no longer such a thing as “outside the field of view.”
With high-quality panoramic imaging, today’s latest digital microscopes can automatically stitch images into one seamless view (Fig. 1) by simply moving the stage. As the stage moves, the panoramic imaging system automatically stitches images into a large single field of view, in real time. Where conventional microscopes reduce field area with increases in magnification, digital panoramic imaging maintains the original field while delivering close-up clarity.