Optical microscopy

Description

Optical microscopy is an essential component of scientific investigation methods. It provides basic information about the spatial structure of solids. Microscopic examination serves to describe the properties and states of materials qualitatively and quantitatively by determining the proportions and local distribution of the individual phases in order to clarify the relationships between physical properties and chemical composition.

Application

In principle, any material can be examined by light microscopy. For the optical characterization of metal, ceramics, slag, rock or organic materials, suitable preparations such as ground sections, thin sections or thin sections must be prepared. Translucent materials can be examined in transmitted light, opaque and reflective materials in incident light. As the shape, colour and reflectivity of the individual structural constituents are structure-dependent, it is relatively easy to differentiate between individual phases by changing the illumination arrangement (bright field, dark field, polarised light, etc.) and to identify them. With the help of digital image processing, quantitative microstructural analyses can be carried out (e.g. size, volume fractions).