Understanding light microscopy

Introduces readers to the enlightening world of the modern light microscope There have been rapid advances in science and technology over the last decade, and the light microscope, together with the information that it gives about the image, has changed too. Yet the fundamental principles of setting up and using a microscope rests upon unchanging physical principles that have been understood for years. This informative, practical, full-colour guide fills the gap between specialised edited texts on detailed research topics, and introductory books, which concentrate on an optical approach to the light microscope. It also provides comprehensive coverage of confocal microscopy, which has revolutionised light microscopy over the last few decades. Written to help the reader understand, set up, and use the often very expensive and complex modern research light microscope properly, Understanding Light Microscopy keeps mathematical formulae to a minimum-containing and explaining them within boxes in the text. Chapters provide in-depth coverage of basic microscope optics and design; ergonomics; illumination; diffraction and image formation; reflected-light, polarised-light, and fluorescence microscopy; deconvolution; TIRF microscopy; FRAP & FRET; super-resolution techniques; biological and materials specimen preparation; and more.-Gives a didactic introduction to the light microscope -Encourages readers to use advanced fluorescence and confocal microscopes within a research institute or core microscopy facility -Features full-colour illustrations and workable practical protocols Understanding Light Microscopy is intended for any scientist who wishes to understand and use a modern light microscope. It is also ideal as supporting material for a formal taught course, or for individual students to learn the key aspects of light microscopy through their own study.

Intro; Understanding Light Microscopy; Contents; About the Author; Acknowledgements; Look-Up Guide to Feature Boxes by Theme; Autobiographical Boxes; Information Boxes; Exercise Boxes; Glossary and Definitions; Notes; Introduction; 1 Our Eyes and the Microscope; 1.1 Introduction; 1.2 How Our Eyes Work; 1.3 The Anatomy of the Eye; 1.4 Aberrations of the Eye; 1.5 Binocular and Stereoscopic Vision; 1.6 Why We Need Optical Aids; 1.7 Using Lenses to Correct Eye Defects; 1.8 Seeing the Scientific Image; 1.9 Sizes of Objects; 1.10 Nomenclature and History; 1.11 Chapter Summary; Key Reading

3.4 The Focal Length of a Lens3.5 Ray-Tracing; 3.6 Lenses in the Microscope; 3.7 Conjugate Planes; 3.8 The Single Lens Magnifier, or Loupe; 3.9 The Compound Microscope; 3.10 Magnification in the Compound Microscope; 3.11 Useful Magnification; 3.12 Similarities between Different Optical Instruments; 3.13 Chapter Summary; Key Reading; References; Further Reading; Internet Resources; Notes; 4 Microscope Anatomy and Design; 4.1 Introduction; 4.2 The Function of the Light Microscope; 4.3 Inspection of the Microscope; 4.4 Anatomy of the Microscope; A Stand and Light Source; B Substage Apparatus

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