Microscope slide

An object support is a support on which small objects (objects) to be observed microscopically.

Slides for light microscopy exist today usually consists of a glass panel (also carry glass) of size 76 x 26 mm (DIN ISO 8037-1 ). This quantity was formerly referred to as " English format," as opposed to " Giessen format " with the size of 48x28 mm. The slide thickness is 1-1.5 mm. A distinction slides with cut and bevelled edges. In the latter case, the cutting is less danger in handling. Also slides are available with and without mat edge. This can be produced either by etching of the glass or by printing and is used for ease of labeling of the slide.

Some slides are coated, resulting in a better adhesion of the objects (e.g., cells or tissues ) in the glass. Diagnostic slides are printed with a colored mask hydrophobic Teflon or epoxy, which prevents the droplet flowing away from the field.

Simple slide usually consist of a lime - soda glass with a refractive index of ne = 1.53 ± 0.02 at λe = 546.07 nm ( green Hg - line). But also pure white glass is used for fluorescence microscopy, which has no fluorescence itself.

There are special slide, having one or a plurality of circular recesses, thus facilitating the investigation of liquids. There are also slides with attached chambers for cell culture studies. Furthermore, there are also designs that have a Zählkamm, with which you can make frequency counts.

For the calibration of length under the light microscope slides micrometer available in which a calibrated scale is applied.

Standardize

• DIN ISO 8037-1: Optics and optical instruments - Microscopes; Slides - Part 1: Dimensions, optical properties and identification
• ISO 8037-2: Optics and optical instruments - Microscopes - Slides - Part 2: Material and surface quality, packaging

• Light microscopy
• Laboratory consumables
• Glass product