Reflection microscope

The reflection microscope is an optical microscope for observing opaque objects.

Reflection microscope technique

In a reflection microscope a sample is illuminated and observed from the same side. The observed light from the sample is therefore not transmitted (it does not pass through the sample) but is reflected. The light arrives through the objective to reach the object and is then reflected and fed back to the objective by a system of mirrors.

Uses of the reflection microscope

The reflection microscope is used to observe the surface of opaque or thick objects. It is little used for living samples but mainly in metallography.