Light microscopy is the starting point in nearly all of our problem-solving situations, often providing results quickly and inexpensively. In those cases where other forms of instrumentation would prove necessary, light microscopy is used extensively for sample purification and subsequent preparation for further examination. Photomicrographs may be taken on any of the various microscopes. Light microscopy techniques include: stereo, polarized, fluorescent, thermal, interference and comparison.

Light microscopy is the use of any one technique or a combination of microscopic techniques for small particle manipulation and identification wherein objects are viewed directly with controlled manipulation of light. Individual particles down to approximately 5 microns may be identifiable with limited information obtainable on much smaller particles.

Instrumentation:

McCrone Associates uses a variety of Olympus light microscopes:

Olympus BH Series polarizing microscopes with accessories for video imaging, digital photomicrography, fluorescence microscopy, Nomarski interference contrast, epi-bright and dark field illumination, metallography and forensic comparison microscopy.

Olympus B-Max polarizing microscopes with accessories for dark field, phase contrast, Nomarski differential interference contrast (DIC) both transmitted and reflected light, epi-bright and darkfield illumination and digital photomicrography.

Olympus SZH and SZX12 stereomicroscopes with accessories for transmitted light, coaxial illumination, oblique reflected light, polarized light and photomicrography.