STEREO MICROSCOPES & MACROSCOPES

A stereo microscope (also known as "stereo zoom microscope", "stereoscopic microscope" or "dissecting microscope") is an optical microscope variant designed for low magnification observation of a sample, typically using light reflected from the surface of the sample rather than transmitted through it. Stereoscopic microscope uses two separate optical paths with two objectives and eyepieces to provide slightly different viewing angles to the left and right eyes. This arrangement produces a 3D (three-dimensional) visualization of the sample being examined. Stereomicroscopy overlaps macrophotography for recording and examining solid samples with complex surface topography, where a 3D view is needed for analyzing the detail.

The stereo microscope is often used to study the surfaces of solid specimens or to carry out close work such as dissection, microsurgery, watch-making, circuit board manufacture or inspection, and fracture surfaces as in fractography and forensic engineering. They are thus widely used in manufacturing industry for manufacture, inspection and quality control. Stereo zoom microscopes are essential tools in entomology.

The stereo microscope should not be confused with a compound microscope equipped with double eyepieces and a binoviewer. In such a microscope, both eyes see the same image, with the two eyepieces serving to provide greater viewing comfort. However, the image in such a microscope is no different from that obtained with a single monocular eyepiece.

RotaLab offers a complete range of stereo dissecting microscopes with monocular, binocular and trinocular heads that are ergonomically designed for education, scientific research and routine tasks.