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Information on the Care of Microscope Optics.
Information on the Care of Microscope Optics
With the stand cleanliness is a virtue; with the objectives it is also an absolute necessity. If the lenses are dirty they first should be tried to be clean with air only. Then only if they cannot be cleaned, they should be wiped gently with Japanese lens paper, which can be obtained from any dealer in microscopical supplies. It is so cheap that one can hardly afford to use anything else on his lenses, especially the objectives. If the lens paper is not obtainable a soft old linen handkerchief is best, providing it is clean. Avoid chamois skin. The natural oils in it soil the surface of the lens, and its aptitude to catch and hold dirt makes it unsafe. Never rub a lens hard with anything. Avoid touching the surface of a lens with the bare hands. The perspiration is hard to remove. Objectives. If the front lens of an objective becomes soiled so that gently wiping will not clean it, breathe upon it and then wipe gently with lens paper or some soft linen. If this does not remove the soil, moisten the paper with xylol or chloroform, being careful not to use too much. Although the necessity of using these reagents is unfortunate, it is better to use them and wipe the lens gently than to apply too much friction. An immersion objective should always be cleaned immediately after using. It can then be cleaned by gen:ly wiping with a piece of lens paper. If the oil is allowed to dry, xylol or chloroform must be used to clean the lens. The oil collects dust and grit, which are apt to scratch the lens. If any dust settles on the back lens of the objective it is best removed by a earners hair brush. An eyepiece should always be left in the tube to keep dust from settling into the objective on the lower end. Never attempt to take an objective apart. If it has any ailment serious enough for this it is serious enough to go to the maker. Oculars. The oculars should be wiped as directed for the objectives. Sometimes a grayish film forms on the inner surfaces of the lenses. This necessitates removing the lenses from the tube and wiping their surfaces. Condenser. What has been said of the eyepiece applies to the condenser. The inner surfaces of the lenses of the condenser should be cleaned if the condenser is not clear after cleaning the outer surfaces. The objective cannot do its best work unless the condenser is clean. Mirror. The surfaces of the mirror demand the same care and treatment as the lenses.
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Microscope Equipment 
