Microscopy Society of America

Abstract

Several problematic specimens, especially when composed of a complex three-dimensional architecture or very high or ultralow ranges in regional thickness and density, can be observed in improved clarity and precision when universal variable brightfield-darkfield contrast (UVBDC) is used. In this method, two different partial images are optically superimposed and interfere with each other, contributing to complementary visual information: a brightfield and a darkfield image. These images can be generated with concentric-peripheral, paraxial, or axial illuminating light. In all variants, variable transitions between bright- and darkfield are achievable. By use of a pancratic condenser (zoom system), the illuminating light can be universally adjusted and optimally adapted to each type of specimen and each type of objective (glass and mirror lenses). The concentric-peripheral variant is preferably carried out with normal glass lenses, the axial variant with mirror lenses. Glass lenses can also be used for UVBDC based on axial or paraxial light when combined with a special contrast tube, which is described in detail. Which technical variant of UVBDC might lead to the best result may be determined by the particular properties of the specimen, but all techniques described promise significant improvements in image quality and visual information.

The teacher's guide, Microscopic Explorations: A GEMS Festival Guide (Brady and Willard, 1998), is the result of a partnership between Great Explorations in Math and Science (GEMS), a program of the Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS), the public science and curriculum development center of the University of California, Berkeley, and the Microscopy Society of America (MSA). Microscopic Exploration supports the MSA's low-cost national outreach program and, also, reaches a very large educational community as part of the GEMS series. Some of the lessons learned through the extremely successful MSA/LHS collaboration are summarized here in hopes that they may be instructive to other scientists and educators as they launch their own partnerships and collaborations.

Microscopy Research and TechniqueVolume 59, Issue 2 p. 147-147 Obituary Obituary: Ernest F. Fullam, 1911–2002 Stanley L. Erlandsen, Stanley L. Erlandsen President Microscopy Society of AmericaSearch for more papers by this author Stanley L. Erlandsen, Stanley L. Erlandsen President Microscopy Society of AmericaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 08 October 2002 https://doi.org/10.1002/jemt.10187AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume59, Issue2Special Issue: Histology and Cell Biology of Breast Cancer—Part II15 October 2002Pages 147-147 RelatedInformation

Journal Article Foreword Get access Stanley L Erlandsen, Stanley L Erlandsen President, Microscopy Society of America Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Greg Meeker, Greg Meeker President, Microscopy Society of America Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Raynald Gauvin, Raynald Gauvin President, Microscopy Society of America Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Richard Ryan Richard Ryan President, Microscopy Society of America Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Microscopy and Microanalysis, Volume 8, Issue S02, 1 August 2002, Page 43, https://doi.org/10.1017/S1431927602109135 Published: 01 August 2002