Geometric optics on microscopes

In summary, geometric optics on microscopes is the study of how light behaves and is manipulated within a microscope, specifically in relation to its lenses and mirrors. Lenses in a microscope work by refracting light rays to produce a magnified image, with the objective lens responsible for magnifying the specimen and the eyepiece lens further magnifying the image for the viewer. There are different types of microscopes, such as compound microscopes and stereo microscopes, which use different optical paths and lenses for different purposes. The quality of an image in a microscope is affected by the numerical aperture (NA) of the objective lens, with a higher NA resulting in a clearer image. However, there are limitations to using geometric optics in microscopes, such
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An infinity corrected microscope objective has a magnification of 100× for a tube lens
with focal length 180 mm. The numerical aperture of the objective is 0.90. Calculate the
the diffraction limited spatial resolution if the objective is
used with red light (660 nm). (Ans.: f=1.8 mm; d=447 nm)

Note I have already calculated the focal length of the objective lens as 1.8mm.

The answer reads d=(0.61*wavelength)/NA
A=aperture Can someone please tell me where the number 0.61 is coming from?

Thanks
 
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1. What is geometric optics on microscopes?

Geometric optics on microscopes is the study of how light behaves and is manipulated within a microscope, specifically in relation to its lenses and mirrors. It involves understanding how light rays are focused, reflected, and refracted in order to produce a magnified image.

2. How do lenses in a microscope work?

Lenses in a microscope work by refracting (bending) light rays, allowing them to converge or diverge in order to produce a magnified image. The objective lens is responsible for magnifying the specimen, while the eyepiece lens further magnifies the image for the viewer.

3. What is the difference between a compound microscope and a stereo microscope?

A compound microscope uses two lenses (objective and eyepiece) to produce a magnified image, while a stereo microscope uses two separate optical paths and two eyepieces for a three-dimensional view of the specimen. Compound microscopes are typically used for viewing smaller, transparent specimens, while stereo microscopes are better for larger, opaque specimens.

4. How does numerical aperture affect the quality of an image in a microscope?

Numerical aperture (NA) is a measure of how well a lens can gather and focus light. A higher NA means a greater ability to resolve fine details and produce a clearer image. Therefore, a higher NA in a microscope's objective lens results in a higher quality image.

5. What are the limitations of using geometric optics in microscopes?

Geometric optics has some limitations in microscopes, such as diffraction, which can blur the image at high magnifications. Additionally, chromatic aberration (the splitting of light into different colors) can also affect the image quality. These limitations can be minimized through the use of specialized lenses and techniques, such as using multiple lenses or using different types of light sources.

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