Five Tips On How To Select A Petrographic Microscope
Petrographic microscopes are microscopes that are primarily used for examining minerals such as rocks, sediments, and stones. Petrographic microscopes commonly employ the principles of polarized light microscopy to produce an accurate image of the specimen being observed. Petrographic microscopes are very complex microscopes that are used in a wide variety of applications.
Right now, the most common users of petrographic microscopes are geologists. Geologists study the composition of rocks in a given location. And to do their jobs, they would definitely need a fully functional petrographic microscope to assist them. But this is not all what a petrographic microscope can do. Petrographic microscopes can also be used in the field of medicine and biology, as it can accurately analyze the DNA strands of both human and animals.
Petrographic microscopes can be seen inside industrial laboratories as it can be used to inspect the surface and composition of metals, cement, ceramics, mineral fiber, crystalline, and asbestos. Additionally, this microscope can be used as a measuring microscope in almost all fields of interest including chemistry, medicine, and metallurgy. The most common practical applications of petrographic microscope would be asbestos and nylon fibers analysis, polymer examination, and rock formation research.
And because the role petrographic microscope assumes, buying them should be done with utmost care. Here are five tips on how you can accurately select the perfect petrographic microscope that would suit your needs.
1. Specifically check the polarizer and the analyzer filters of the microscope.
These two parts are the bloodline of petrographic microscopes. Needless to say, they are the parts unique to this type of microscope. The main purpose of these parts is to produce an image that applies the polarized light microscopy technique that petrographic microscope employs. Make sure that these filters are fully functional and are made only of durable materials.
2. Assess the physical features of the microscope.
Petrographic microscopes are high-end microscopes. Therefore, the one you should select should look as professional as it can be. And aside from the polarizer and the analyzer filters, make sure that both the Bertrand lens and the slot are working, as it should. The Bertrand lens is one other part that adds more functionality to the device. Also, carefully check the microscope’s three main parts. These are the head, the stage, and the base.
3. Determine if it is compatible with a variety of accessories.
Still to add more functionality to the device, manufacturers develop accessories to work with this type of microscope. But there are accessories that doesn’t only add functionality but ensure better accuracy to the instrument user as well. These accessories are essential especially if the application has a relevance level equal to the human life. When buying petrographic microscopes, make it a point to check out the entire range of compatible accessories, even if you have no intentions of buying them. You never know what you may need in the future. And it is going to be another expensive investment for you if you need to change microscopes just because the current one you’ve got failed to meet a certain feature.
4. Consider the actual application the petrographic microscope will be used for.
While it is true that all petrographic microscope will work with all common applications related to the polarized light microscopy technique, it is going to be a good idea if you choose to get the one that claims to have a specialty application. As a suggestion, get an asbestos fibers inspection microscope as opposed to getting a regular petrographic microscope. This will assure that the microscope is optimized specifically for asbestos analysis.
5. Make sure that the necessary controls, adjustments, and buttons are present.
Sometimes, the complexity of microscopes is measured in accordance to its ability to be attuned to meet a specific requirement. Also, necessities like fine and coarse focus controls, light intensity adjustment, and front panel buttons fall under this category. All of these things are necessary to achieve the best possible image of crisp resolution and perfect contrast. Without these controls, it is impossible to get a highly accurate image of the specimen you are looking at.
These five tips should lead you towards the petrographic microscope that perfectly fits your meticulous requirements. If you need to find out more about petrographic microscopes and their features, just check out petrographic-microscope.com. This site contains all the important details about petrographic microscopes that both professionals and novices should know. Sparingly, the field of petrography is also touched upon, for the benefit of those who would like to know more about the subject.
