BINOCULAR MICROSCOPE

MINERAGRAPHY

Angga Alamin Husain

D62113301 | MINING ENGINEERING-HASANUDDIN UNIVERSITY

Binocular Microscope
Binocular microscope is simply a microscope that lets the viewer use both eyes. The
microscope has 2 eye lenses. The development of the double eye piece microscope was adapted
to reduce the eyestrain and muscular strain that typically results from traditional microscopes.
The costs are comparable to a single eyepiece instrument. The popularity of the binocular has
grown over the years and currently represents that vast majority of units sold. The term
binocular comes from two different words, with bi meaning two and ocular meaning
related to vision.

What are the different parts and functions of a Binocular microscope?

The 2 dual pieces of binocular microscopes make it easier and more comfortable to view and
analyze the lab specimen than monocular microscopes. The various parts and their functions
of binocular microscopes are as follows.

Eye piece (ocular): The dual binocular eyepiece contains the microscopes lenses and
gives the user secondary magnification of the objective, or the object being viewed
generally a specimen contained on a slide.
The Mechanical stage: The mechanical stage holds the object or specimen slide
samples below the objective for viewing and allows the specimen to move left, right,
forward and backward for examination.
Nosepiece and Objective Lenses: The nose piece contains several rotating objective
lenses, usually three, which magnify the image of the object on the stage below.
Condenser and Lamp: The bases built-in lamp provides light for the viewing area.
Light from the lamp passes through the lenses of the condenser, which focuses the light
on the microscopes viewing area.
Microscope Tube and Prisms: The microscope tube that supports the dual eyepieces
and multiple light refracting prism of a binocular microscope light is split and
directed to the binocular eyepieces.

How does it work?

A microscope works largely by refraction. Refraction is the change in direction of a

propagating wave (light or sound) when passing from one medium to another. A light source
shines light through a specimen and sends an image to the objective lens which then translates
into a viewable image through the ocular lens. The image can then be brought into focus in
order to observe it more clearly.

What are the uses of Binocular microscopes?

Research Binocular Microscopes: This microscope is used in several fields of science

and medicine and research. The binocular microscope used for research purposes
weigh approximately 130 pounds which is quite large.
Student Binocular Microscopes: It is used in scientific classes in elementary schools,
high schools and college level courses. The binocular microscopes are used in schools
due to its affordable price range, since more expensive microscopes are not needed in
schools.
Bench top Binocular microscope: The most common fields that often require the use
of this type of microscopes are botany, microbiology, genetics and geology.
Binocular microscope may also give a better sense of depth perception

Stereo microscope : Binocular microscope

A binocular microscope refers to any microscope with two eyepieces

A binocular microscope refers to any microscope with

two eyepieces. Compound or high power microscopes
typically have two eyepieces which view images through
a single high-power objective lens. The image presented
to each eye is a flat, 2-dimentional 'mono' image. It is
therefore also possible to have single eyepiece compound
microscopes, which are typically very low cost systems
used for educational purposes.

Stereo microscopes always have two eyepieces

Stereo microscopes always have two eyepieces, since

stereoscopic vision requires two distinct images, one
presented to the left eye, and one to the right. The result
is a 3-dimentional 'stereo' image.

Summarising: A microscope with one eyepiece is always

a compound microscope. A binocular microscope (a
microscope with two eyepieces) could be a stereo
microscope, or a compound microscope. However, a
stereo microscope always has two eyepieces.

The exception: Stereo microscopes with no eyepieces!

But note, there is always an exception to the rule. Vision Engineering has a range of stereo
microscopes which do not have any eyepieces, employing patented optical technology to
replace the conventional eyepieces with a single viewing lens. Although these systems do not
have eyepieces, the systems still have separate optical paths producing a true stereo microscope
image.