Brightfield Microscope
-is the most elementary form of microscope illumination techniques and is generally with compound microscope.
-the name "brightfield" is derived from the fact that the specimen is dark and contrasted by the surrounding bright veiwing field.
In biological applications, brightfield observation is widely used for stained or naturally pigmented or highly contrasted specimens mounted on a glass microscope slide.
How does it work?
•In brightfield microscopy, a specimen is placed on the stage of the microscope and incandescent light from the microscope's light source is aimed at a lens beneath the specimen.
•The condenser usually contains an aperture diagram to control and focus light on the specimen ; light passes through the specimen and then is collected by an objective kens situated in a turrent above the stage.
•The objective magnifies the light and transmits it to an ocular lens or eyepiece and into the user's eyes. Some of the light is absorbed by stains, pigmentation or dense area of the sample and this contrast allows you to see specimens.
For good result with this microscopic techniques, the microscope should have a light source that can provide intense illumination necessary at high magnification and lower levels for lower magnifications.
Importance
•Important for the hematology, microbiology, TB and malaria testing.
•It is used to examine minute objects such as bacteria and other unicellular organisms.
•Advanced in fluorochrome stains and monoclonal antibody techniques caused growth in use of fluorence microscopy in both biomedical analysis and cell biology.
Advantages
•Brightfield microscopy is very simple to use with fewer adjustments needed to be made to view specimens.
•Some specimen can be viewed without obtaining and the optics used in the brightfield technique don't alter the colorof the specimen.
•It is adaptable with new technology and optional pieces of equipment can be implemented with brightfield illumination to give versatility in the tasks it can perform.
