Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What does 'Epi-Fluorescence' mean, and why is it important?
  A: 'Epi' means 'above'. In Epi-Fluorescence, the excitation light is delivered to the specimen *through* the objective lens. This is critical because it allows the objective to act as both the illumination source and the light collector, which is essential for observing opaque specimens or very thick samples.
• What are B, G, U, and V filter sets used for in this microscope?
  A: These letters refer to the standard fluorescence filter blocks: **B**lue, **G**reen, **U**ltraviolet, and **V**iolet. Each set is optimized to excite and capture specific fluorescent dyes (e.g., FITC or Acridine Orange) used in biological staining, allowing for multi-color imaging.
• Can the XD Fluorescence Microscope be used for standard brightfield viewing as well?
  A: Yes, the microscope base is built on a high-quality compound microscope platform. It includes a standard high-power halogen or LED transmitted light system, allowing the user to switch seamlessly between transmitted brightfield (for basic morphology) and reflected epi-fluorescence.
• Is the mercury lamp system safe and easy to maintain?
  A: The Mercury lamp system (if chosen) requires careful handling and specialized disposal due to the high pressure and UV radiation. Modern units often offer high-intensity LED sources as an alternative, which are safer, have a much longer lifespan, and provide stable light output without the warm-up time.
• What are Plan Achromatic Fluorescence Objectives?
  A: These are specialized objective lenses corrected for flatness of field (**Plan**) and color (**Achromatic**), and they are constructed with specialized low auto-fluorescence glass. They are crucial for fluorescence imaging as they ensure maximum transmission of the faint emitted light signal.