In any lab setting, bench space is limited. Between samples, notebooks, laptops, and other various supplies, it can be hard to find a place to put your test or measurement equipment.

If you use microscopes in your daily inspection work, the need to use two systems to look at one sample compounds the problem. Inspectors often observe a sample on a low-magnification microscope to identify an area of interest, then move the sample to a high-magnification and high-resolution microscope to take measurements and capture images. The process of moving samples and reacquiring the area of interest on another microscope is inefficient and means you have two systems taking up valuable space.

The solution to this challenge is surprisingly simple: use one system that provides low magnification for the initial review and high magnification with high resolution for the detailed inspection. One example is the Olympus DSX1000 digital microscope.

Combining the capabilities of a stereo microscope and compound microscope, the DSX1000 system includes six observation modes that work with 17 objectives. Coupled with the 1–10X optical zoom in the microscope head, the full magnification range is 20X to 7000X. The objectives include options with long working distances and high-numerical apertures for observing samples that require higher resolution or have uneven surfaces.

Enhancing inspection efficiency with a modern digital microscope

The DSX1000 digital microscope provides modern features to help users reduce inspection time and save bench space. Here are four notable functions:

All observation modes on all objective lenses

The first feature is the ability to use any of the six observation modes with any of the objectives. With some microscopes, illumination methods depend on the objective, and changing illumination can be time-consuming. The DSX1000 digital microscope makes this process fast and easy. It provides instant access to brightfield, oblique, darkfield, MIX, polarization, and differential interference contrast on all 17 objectives that work with the system.

“Usually on a digital microscope, a specific observation mode is only available when you are using a certain objective or optional equipment,” explains Marcel Lucas, a technical sales specialist at Olympus. “This means the user must figure out which objective to buy based on the resolution and observation mode needed.”

The ability to choose objectives knowing you have access to all observation modes provides peace of mind that your investment will work now and in the future. There is no need to worry about the ideal observation modes for future samples when all options are available.

The DSX1000’s integrated observation methods will work with any of the system’s 15 objectives

Combines high magnification with high resolution

A second benefit is the combination of high magnification and high resolution.

With traditional compound microscopes, resolution decreases as the magnification increases. If you are inspecting an uneven sample, this makes it hard to see fine details and defeats the reason for using a higher magnification objective.

Paired with a high-resolution, long working-distance objective, the DSX1000 digital microscope captures clear, detailed images of your sample. In addition, the longer working distance minimizes the risk of crashing the lens into the sample. This extra room is helpful when working with uneven samples, such as molds and metal parts.

When inspecting uneven samples, it is important to maintain a safe distance between the lens and sample to keep from damaging it. To see details, you need to increase the magnification, but this typically results in worse resolution. The DSX-1000 gives high-resolution images at high magnification.

Measurement accuracy and repeatability

Another key feature is the microscope’s accuracy and calibration traceability to NIST standards.

A microscope with high magnification and high resolution is fine if all you need is a visual inspection. But in many cases, users need dimensional measurements as well. With traditional compound microscopes, measurement accuracy can be an issue at higher magnifications when looking at a tall object. A slight difference in the focus—by one user or between users—can make a significant difference in the apparent size of the feature. This inconsistency can affect where the user makes measurement points.

Conventional objectives have an angular field of view that causes a perspective error called parallax. This error decreases measurement accuracy because objects farther from the lens appear smaller than objects closer to the lens—even if the objects are the same size. The DSX1000 system’s telecentric lenses, on the other hand, will show an object at the same size regardless of the distance from the sample.

“This means that the size of the object on the image does not depend on the image focus,” explains Lucas. “This improves measurement accuracy and repeatability. Usually when different technicians adjust focus to complete the measurement, there is some subjectivity to what is in focus and what is not in focus.”

With a telecentric optical system, an object that is too close or too far from the lens may be slightly out of focus, but the image will appear to be the same size. This greatly minimizes errors in measurement from one operator to another.

Telecentric lenses have the same brightness at the center and edge of the visual field. Even if the sample moves vertically by adjusting the focus, the image size (magnification) does not change with telecentric lenses. This optical system enables you to capture an image of an entire sample faced up, which increases measurement precision.

Telecentric lenses have the same brightness at the center and edge of the visual field. Even if the sample moves vertically by adjusting the focus, the image size (magnification) does not change with telecentric lenses. This optical system enables you to capture an image of an entire sample facing up, which increases measurement precision.

Saves your work setup for routine inspections

The DSX1000 digital microscope can capture and save more than just images—it also saves your setup.

The system can save setup options such as light intensity, exposure time, or any image enhancements. The ability to reapply all the settings when looking at the same type of sample saves time and improves the reproducibility of the process. You can even perform side-by-side comparisons between an old and new sample.

Smart features like these make the DSX1000 digital microscope highly versatile for a broad range of inspection tasks in the metallography, electronics, medical device, and semiconductor industries.