The AmScope ME520TA-9M digital metallurgical trinocular microscope has interchangeable pairs of 10x22mm and 15x16mm extreme-widefield eyepieces, one 10x eyepiece with a built-in micrometer/reticle, a reverse-mounted quintuple nosepiece with seven DIN infinity plan achromatic objectives, episcopic and diascopic halogen illumination, a Kohler condenser, and a double-layer mechanical stage with a stage stop to protect slides and objectives from damage. The 9MP camera has a CMOS color sensor, a reduction lens, image capture and editing software, and USB 2.0 output to capture or display still or video images on a computer or projector. The trinocular viewing head has a vertical camera mount, a Siedentopf binocular head to adjust interpupillary distance, a fixed 30-degree vertical inclination to reduce eye and neck strain, and a 360-degree rotation capability to enable sharing. The vertical trinocular port can be used as a 23mm photo port. The Siedentopf head has a range of 48 to 75mm to accommodate individual eye differences, and dioptric adjustment to accommodate individual eye-strength differences. A Siedentopf binocular head enables the viewer to change the interpupillary distance without changing the tube length, eliminating the need to re-focus the image. The microscope includes interchangeable pairs of 10x22mm and 15x16mm extreme-widefield eyepieces, and one 10x22mm extreme-widefield measuring eyepiece. The measuring eyepiece has a built-in reticle and micrometer with 0.1mm graduations. The reverse-mounted quintuple nosepiece keeps objectives out of the way to prevent damage and contamination, and to enable more secure slide handling. Five polarizing and two Brightfield/Darkfield (BF/DF) long working distance infinity plan achromatic objectives combine with the eyepieces to provide a longer working distance and color correction of magnified images. The polarizing objectives are 5x, 10x, 20x, 50xS (spring), and 100xS (spring, oil) DIN long working distance infinity plan achromatic and are used with the reflected episcopic light source to produce images of opaque specimens. The Brightfield/Darkfield (BF/DF) objectives are 40xS (spring) and 100xS (spring, oil) DIN long working distance infinity plan achromatic and are used with the transmitted diascopic light source to produce images of transparent specimens. Infinity plan objectives provide focus over the entire range of the viewing field, and a longer working distance for improved focus when auxiliary components are utilized. The 40xS, 50xS and 100xS (oil) objectives are spring loaded to prevent slide damage when focusing. The 100xS spring-loaded oil-immersion objective uses oil between the specimen and the objective lens to provide increased resolution over a standard objective. A digital metallurgical microscope uses transmitted and reflected light to view opaque or metallurgical specimens, or larger specimens that cannot be viewed on a standard microscope stage, and is used where image capture, detailed records, or documentation is required.

The 9MP digital camera has a CMOS color sensor for displaying still microscopy images and streaming live videos to a computer or projector. The camera has 40x magnification and a 0.5x reduction lens that ensures that the display has a similar field of view as the microscope eyepiece. The camera can be mounted in a C-Mount or any 23mm eye tube. The camera includes image capture and editing software that provides still image and live video capture and editing capability, including measurement functions. The software supports JPG, TIF, GIF, PSD, WMF, and BMP file formats and is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8; Mac OS X; and Linux. Camera drivers are compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8; Mac OS X; and Linux. The software includes Windows APIs for native C/C++, C#, DirectShow, Twain, and LabVIEW that enable custom application development. The camera has a USB 2.0 data port (cable included).

The microscope has polarizing episcopic (upper) illumination that reflects light off the specimen for enhanced visibility of opaque specimens, and Brightfield/Darkfield (BF/DF) diascopic (lower) illumination that transmits light up through the specimen for enhanced visibility of translucent and transparent objects. The polarizing episcopic illumination system has a rheostat-controlled 100W halogen light source and independent filter holders for yellow, blue, green, and frosted filters (included). The microscope has diascopic Brightfield/Darkfield (BF/DF) illumination, a Kohler condenser, and a 100W halogen light source. Brightfield (BF) illumination allows the specimen to absorb light, resulting in a dark image on a light background, and Darkfield (DF) illumination reflects light off the specimen, resulting in a light image on a dark background. Kohler illumination focuses and centers the light path using two iris diaphragms, providing optimum contrast and resolution. Halogen light provides bright light in a concentrated path and a rheostat to controls the light intensity. The double-layer mechanical stage, with 1mm stage divisions and 0.1mm vernier graduations, locks the slide into place and provides precise slide manipulation along the X- and Y-axis to allow coordinates to be recorded, enabling the viewer to return to a specific location on the slide. The stage has a hand-push mechanism that allows the stage to be coarse adjusted over large distances. A vertical stage stop prevents the stage from coming into contact with the slide and objectives. The stage is 185 x 142mm. Graduated coaxial coarse and fine focus has a knob tension control to prevent the stage from drifting out of focus. The enamel-coated cast-steel body is durable and resistant to stains and corrosion.

Microscopes are instruments used to enhance the resolution of an object or image. Types include compound, stereo, or digital. Compound microscopes use a compound optical system with an objective lens and an eyepiece. Stereo microscopes show object depth in a three-dimensional image. Digital microscopes are used to display an image on a monitor, rather than looking through a lens. Microscopes can have monocular (one), binocular (two), or trinocular (three) eyepieces, with varying magnification abilities. Magnification ability refers to the size of an image. Resolution, also known as resolvant power, refers to the clarity of the image. The interaction between field of view (FOV), numerical aperture (NA), and working distance (WD) determines resolution. Microscopes can control magnification through a fixed focus, or through a range of adjustments. They can also utilize LED, fluorescent, and mirror light sources to help control viewing capabilities. Microscopes are widely used in education, lab research, biology, metallurgy, engineering, chemistry, manufacturing, and in the medical, forensic science, and veterinary industries.

United Scope manufactures microscopy equipment and accessories under the brand name AmScope. The company, founded in 1996, is headquartered in Irvine, CA.

What's in the Box?

• AmScope ME520TA-9M microscope with mechanical stage
• (1) EW10x eyepiece with micrometer/reticle, 30mm
• EW10x eyepieces, 30mm, one pair
• EW15x eyepieces, 30mm, one pair
• 5x DIN long working distance infinity plan achromatic polarizing objective, 20mm
• 10x DIN long working distance infinity plan achromatic polarizing objective, 20mm
• 20x DIN long working distance infinity plan achromatic polarizing objective, 20mm
• 50xS DIN long working distance infinity plan achromatic polarizing objective, 20mm
• 100xS (oil) DIN long working distance infinity plan achromatic polarizing objective, 20mm
• 40xS DIN long-working distance infinity plan achromatic BF/DF objective, 20mm
• 100xS (oil) long-working distance DIN infinity plan achromatic BF/DF objective, 20mm
• Polarizer with analyzer
• Epi-illumination system
• Upper light house
• Lower light house
• (4) Color filters: yellow, blue, green, and frosted
• 9MP digital camera (MU900)
• 0.5x reduction lens
• USB 2.0 cable
• Software CD
• (2) Spare bulbs
• (2) Spare fuses
• Immersion oil
• Power cord
• Dust cover
• Instructions