Looking for a great microscope below 1um, .

  • Thread starter Thread starter tdd10
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Microscope
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around the challenges of photographing carbon nanofibers using a microscope, particularly within the 200-600 nm range. The user, Troy, is seeking recommendations for a suitable camera and software to enhance measurement capabilities, noting that the current 40x lens is inadequate. He suggests that a microscope with a 120x magnification and high-powered lighting would be ideal. There is a mention of the limitations of optical microscopes in resolving power, and a suggestion to explore access to a scanning electron microscope (SEM) available on campus, although Troy faces restrictions due to his employment status. He is also considering purchasing equipment within a budget of $3,000 to $5,000 through his company.
tdd10
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Hello everyon,

Sorry if this is the wrong sub forum but I thought it would work. I am trying to photograph carbon nanofibers with a microscope (I don't need it to be too fancy). I am in the range of 200-600 nm and I cannot measure them too well with the 40x lens on the University's microscope. I just need a camera/software to measure them with a suitable microscope as well. I am assuming anything in the 120x range would suffice. It would need a high powered light. The program we use at the University is Spot Basic and Spot Advanced. Anyone have any reccomendations? Thank you all for any input.

-Troy
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Unless you're going for a very high end optical, I think you'll be limited in the resolving power of your microscope:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_microscope#Limitations

You're probably better off trying to find an SEM somewhere on your campus (try the biology or geoscience departments--if nothing, they might know who does have one, or where you can send samples to)
 
We do have one on campus but I am not allowed to use it due to me no longer being a student here but working on campus for a private company. I will see if I can gain access to it because the assistant director of polymer engineering knows I'm a respectful and knowledgeable person. I was just looking at my options to buy through my company in the 3-5k range, or cheaper.

Thanks,
Troy
 

Similar threads

Back
Top