Guidelines for Selecting High-Quality Microscopes for Professional Applications
1, Imaging quality
We mainly use microscopes to obtain microstructure images based on optical imaging principles, and then perform qualitative and quantitative analysis on the images. Therefore, the quality of imaging is the key indicator. Clear images are referred to as sharp images in the field of metallography. To obtain sharp images, four basic conditions must be met: high contrast, high brightness, good color reproduction, and high resolution. Contrast, brightness, and color reproduction are precisely the areas that users tend to overlook when selecting, blindly pursuing resolution can lead to selection failure. For example, the imaging quality of a Japanese brand microscope purchased by a large domestic steel plant in 2000 is far inferior to that of a German Zeiss microscope purchased in 1985, but the numerical aperture of the objective lens is higher than that of Zeiss. The reason is actually very simple, that is, these manufacturers only consider one factor that affects imaging quality when manufacturing microscopes - resolution, while ignoring other important factors such as contrast, brightness, and color reproduction. In this regard, Zeiss Germany has done quite well. They have utilized ICCS optical systems and anti glare technology to significantly improve the contrast, brightness, and color reproduction of images, resulting in fine organization and delicate colors. Only in this way can accurate image analysis be carried out.
Having good imaging quality is not enough, it should continue to maintain a high-quality state over time. We call this' mechanical stability 'because microscopes are not low value consumables, and their normal service life should be over 30 years. In this regard, it is recommended that users focus on the following points: 1. Raw materials 2. Manufacturing accuracy 3. Mechanical design 4. Origin (currently, many imported microscope manufacturers have joint ventures in China).
At the same time as comparing the above indicators, users who have the conditions should bring their own samples for "field investigation", and only through comparison can identification be made. In short, choosing a good microscope is not only about purchasing a high-quality product, but also a far-reaching investment.
