Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Optical Microscopy

By Denver Microbeam Laboratory

The optical microscope, often referred to as the light microscope, is a type of microscope that commonly uses visible light and a system of lenses to magnify images of small objects. The Denver Microbeam Lab has two main optical light microscopes to help with geology and minerology.

Capabilities

Reflected Light Imaging

Transmitted Light Imaging

Petrography

Instrumentation

Nikon Petrographic Microscope

Nikon Petrographic Microscope with an attached camera.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
A petrographic microscope is a type of optical microscope used in petrology and optical mineralogy to identify rocks and minerals in thin sections.(Credit: Renee Pillers, USGS. Public domain.)

This microscope can be used for optical observations and imaging of samples. There is an attached camera at the top that is connected to a computer that is used to record and save images.

Keyence Optical Microscope

Keyence Optical Microscope with viewing computer.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Optical microscope setup.(Credit: Renee Pillers, USGS. Public domain.)

This is a Keyence Optical Microscope used to collect images of samples. It can do 3-dimensional imaging, image stitching, transmitted imaging, reflective imaging, and measurements.

The use of firm, trade, and brand names is for identification purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. government.

Was this page helpful?