The Olympus MIC-D digital microscope represents a unique design that incorporates a CMOS

electronic digital imaging sensor as a substitute for the traditional eyepieces or oculars found in a
majority of microscopes. Coupled to an inverted illumination system that broadcasts light from
above the specimen (similar to a tissue culture microscope), this digital microscope also features
a translatable lamphouse and condenser unit that can be rotated over a 135-degree angle. Such
versatility allows the operator to project light onto the specimen from an almost limitless
combination of oblique or reflected illumination angles.

The important internal and external configuration details of the Olympus MIC-D digital microscope
are presented in a large view in the figure above, which shows a cutaway diagram of the
microscope including the electrical, mechanical, and optical components. Integral to the design is
a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface connection to a host computer that provides both electrical
current to power the microscope, and a software interface to capture, edit, and catalog digital
images acquired by the CMOS image sensor. Specimens are placed on the flat, circular stage
and imaged with a zoom optical system controlled by a molded and cushioned rotation handle
that forms part of the microscope body and contains a graduated reference magnification scale
on the lower rim.

There are six basic mechanical control elements available to the operator for specimen
observation. The microscope can be powered on and off with a small potentiometer switch unit
that is housed in the base of the microscope and also controls the lighting intensity. A single
focus knob, positioned adjacent to the gliding stage, is utilized to bring the specimen into focus at
any position throughout the entire magnification range. The stage is built with a gliding
mechanism that allows the operator to rotate specimens, or translate them in virtually any
direction. A diffusion filter (or screen) housed in the illumination head can be employed to alter
the numerical aperture and distribution of light reaching the specimen, while the rotation arm can
be translated to obliquely illuminate the specimen from a variety of angles.

Contributing Authors

Thomas J. Fellers and Michael W. Davidson - National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, 1800 East Paul
Dirac Dr., The Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, 32310.

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