Any student of the sciences and engineering will tell you that a stereo microscope is important for their individual basic research needs. Students in the life sciences need to work both in the laboratory and the field, and they sometimes need a stereo microscope in order to carry out basic dissection or examination of specimens. Students in the fields of engineering need the stereo microscope to carry out work on their engraving, circuit board fabrication and repair, and mineral examination work. In both these cases, stereo microscope accessories are of great importance.

Stereo microscopes do not provide the high magnification of light or compound microscopes that are often used in scientific laboratories. Stereo microscopes do not provide high resolution either, unlike the sophisticated scanning electron microscopes that are a staple of many engineering, metallurgy, and mineral studies laboratories. Stereo microscopes, however, can provide on-the-spot information for some basic questions that scientists and engineers ask: What is this specimen? Can it be used as a building material? Does it have any important characteristics or fractures?

How Does a Stereo Microscope Work? A stereo microscope works with two objectives that are focused on different areas of a specimen or sample. These two objective lenses feed light and image information into binocular lenses through which the microscope user looks to examine the specimen or sample. Because the two objective lenses are focused on two different areas, they show only slightly overlapping image to the stereo microscope user, as opposed to a light or compound microscope, where one objective gives a single image to a binocular or monocular lens.

However, because these two areas are slightly overlapping, a stereo microscope provides a three dimensional view of the sample. This view is important to scientists who need to identify specimens that can be differentiated only on the different number of legs, or fine details of hair or pigmentation that the naked eye cannot see. This view is also important to engineers who need to do precise manipulation or repair work on very small, compact circuits, or who need to pinpoint the cause of an accident by looking at the fractures on a small object.

What Accessories are needed for a Stereo Microscope? A stereo microscope requires a good amount of light or illumination, so if you are looking for a stereo microscope to use in the field, you will need an external light source to carry with you. If you are working during the day, sunlight is a good source of illumination, as it is diffuse and bright, and will allow you to see a good amount of detail. If you are working at night, or in a dim room, however, you will need a powerful light source, such as a halogen lamp.

You can choose amongst many other illuminators that are available on the market. There are dual or single arm illuminators, as well as free standing illuminators available, depending on your work set up and budget. You can also avail of ring illuminators if you need a different light source for your work. Look for a lamp or illuminator that you can fix to your work area: if you are engaged in engineering work, try a lamp that has a magnetic base, and one with an arm that you can adjust so that your sample or specimen receives constant illumination.

You can fit your stereo microscope with a polarizer, which can allow you to control the amount of light illuminating your sample or specimen. This can be important if you have a large specimen that needs to be rotated, or that has a rough surface that cannot be viewed if light is not fed through an angle.

To move your specimens smoothly, as well as to rotate your specimen, look for mechanical stages that you can adjust or place at different angles. Some stereo microscopes also come with oblique viewing attachments, so that you can adjust your viewing position to get a clearer look at details that you might find important.

You might also need your stereo microscope to make measurements, so look for measuring accessories that you can attach to the stereo microscope. A stage micrometer is a slide that is engraved with a scale, which you can use with an eyepiece reticle in order to calibrate the scales you are using, and make measurements of your specimen or sample.

You will also need to keep your sensitive stereo microscope objectives protected from vapors, debris, residue, and dust, all of which are present in the field, or in engineering work. Buy protective glass to keep the objective lenses from being scratched or blurred due to molds. You will also need protective glass to keep your lenses from being fogged up or dirtied when you use your soldering iron on your circuit board, or when you use a high-pressure jet of air to clean your specimen.

You can even look for a digital display in order to feed your stereo microscope data directly into a computer. These are only a few stereo microscope accessories that you can avail of. For more information, contact your microscope maker or distributor, and be up to date with the latest accessories that can make your work with the stereo microscope smoother and better.