Tutorials

This article discusses a few key concepts of digital cameras, optics and associated software to illustrate scientific and economic differences between consumer and scientific digital cameras for scientists. Consumer digital cameras have gone from low resolution curiosities to very capable, high resolution, low-cost cameras. Depending on the intended use, consumer digital cameras could have a place in the scientific market.

An example is given of using new thermal probes (used in the same way as conventional AFM probes) to study a blend of isotactic and syndiotactic polypropylene. A further example is given using a blend of PA6 and PET and in this case it is shown how nanothermal analysis (nano-TA) can be used as a highly complementary technique with Raman microscopy. By combining both techniques it becomes possible to visualize the highly complex morphology of this material. The wider applicability of nano-TA with AFM is also discussed.

Relief phase contrast is a new modification of conventional phase contrast which leads to visible improvements of image quality in light microscopy. In particular, the following parameters can be improved: contrast, focal depth, sharpness, three dimensionality, planeness, and halo artifacts...

This article provides an overview of DIC microscopy, including guidelines for setting up the system correctly.

We present a new set of symmetrical ray diagrams of the optical pathways in transmitted, reflected and epifluorescence light microscopes equipped with infinity-corrected optics.

A method is presented for the determination of high refractive indices in gemstones such as diamond and diamond substitutes, above the limit of 1.8 that can be measured by a conventional refractometer.

This article describes the optical performance of modern objective lenses and discusses criteria for the selection of objectives for a variety of microscope applications including fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, and live cell imaging.