Microscopy Flashcards
When does refraction occur?
When light passes from one medium to another.
What is refractive index?
The relative speed that light moves through a medium compared to that of a vacuum.
What is special about polarised light?
It only vibrates in one direction
What is fluorescence?
The luminescence of an object
What is phosphorescence?
Long lived fluorescence
What is physical evidence?
Anything left over in everyday life.
What is a stereo microscope?
The workhorse microscope (<600x). Used for trace evidence and manipulating small samples.
What is a compound microscope?
<1000x. Good for fine detail and fibre work.
What is a comparison microscope?
Two stereomicroscopes strapped together. Used for comparing two samples.
What is a polarised light microscope?
Used two polarisers (<500x). Used for mineral, fibre and glass identification.
What is a scanning electron microscope?
Uses electrons instead of light (<500,000x). Used for gunshot residue, must be under a very high vacuum, can only detect elements heavier than nitrogen
