A microscope is a ‘mainstay’ inside a laboratory. It is used to view objects that are so small to be seen by the unaided or naked eye. It got its word from the science of observing minute objects which is ‘miscroscopy.’

’Microscopic’ is a word meaning very small or minute that it cannot be seen by the human eye, unless it is assisted by the microscope. Schools and some homes have microscopes. A miscroscope traces its history way back 400 years ago.

The articulating microscope is used in such a way depending on the microcosm to be observed. These microscopes function based on the theory of the lenses they possess since these are the instruements used in magnifying the image that has been generated by the waves which pass through the sample. These waves can either be electron beams or electromagnetic, depending on the kind of articulating microscope that is being used.

But before one finds out how to articulately use a microscope, one must identify what kind of microscope is being used.

1. Optical microscopes
These kinds of microscopes rely on their usage of visible light wavelengths. It is the simplest out of all articulating microscopes because it has one small lens that already gives clear images. The more lenses the microscope has, the more complicated steps involved in using it. Take for example, compound microscopes that have a series of lenses. These are often used in geology and biology. It takes years of practice and study in using this kind of articulating microscope.

Optical microscopes have refractive lenses. These are usually made of plastic, but there are others that are made from glass. Whatever material, these refractive lenses focus the light into the eye of the observer. The magnification usually reaches up to 1500x and around 0.2 micrometers. Scanning and confocal microscopy may go beyond this magnification range. Nonetheless, the resolution of the diffraction stays within its allowed limit.

Then there are other optical articulating microscopes which resort to the electromagnetic wavelengths that are usually not seen by the human eye. This is the most common kind because of its high resolution and it does not need a vacuum in order to bring in the electron microscopes. The lenses do the work.

2. Electron microscopes
These kinds of microscopes use electron beams, and not light, in order to get the highest magnification usage. The electrons are smaller in terms of wavelength, when compared to the optical microscopes.

Electron microscopes are specifically designed for the articulate observation of studies and experiment requiring high magnification usage. Since the electrons are smaller, it allows higher resolution. The only limitation of the electron microscope is that the electron beams scatter often.

Unlike optical microscopes, electron microscopes do not rely on refraction lenses. Instead, they are already designed to generate the magnetic fields that are parallel to where the electrons travel.

Here are the steps in using an articulating microscope:

1. When moving the microscope, always lift it with both hands. Remember to support the apparatus by having one hand grasping one arm and your other hand serving as the base.

2. The revolving nosepiece must be turned to the lowers power objective. Click this into position.

3. The microscope slide must be prepared with the cover glass or the cover slip over the specimen that will be observed. This will keep the specimen clean and free from the observer’s fingerprints. Put the microscope slide on the microscope’s stage and then fasten it with the clips.

4. Observe the objective lens as well as the stage. Check whatever you can check from one side to another. If the image is unclear, then thurn the focus knob in order for the objective lens to go downward. You can also turn the other knob for the stage to go upward. Move it whichever way you want, just don’t touch the slide.

5. Look through the microscope’s eyepiece and check whether you still need to adjust the diaphragm and the illuminator. Sometimes, you need to adjust the light in order to view the specimen better.

6. Keep on turning the knobs to make the image clear and easy for you to observe. Use the fine adjustment of the microscope, if it is available on the kind you’re using, for better focusing.

7. The only time you touch the microscope slide is when you want to move it in order to have different angles of the image that you are already seeing through the eyepiece. You can also readjust the illuminator, diaphragm or the mirror to give you a clearer picture.