The Leica DM LB is the premiere optical microscope in the BYU Cleanroom. Its high resolution, precision imaging allows its users to get an accurate, detailed view of their work. The Leica is also equipped with a video camera and computer linkup which makes capturing and sharing the microscopes images simple.
The aperture diaphragm can be narrowed to decrease the amount of light hitting the specimen. This will decrease reflections off the specimen and increase the image contrast. However, closing the aperture too much will cause a loss in detail.
Using the polarizer allows the user of the microscope to polarize the light before it reaches the sample. This is done by pushing in the polarizing lens on the right side of the microscope. The analyzer will show how the light was affected by reflecting off the sample. First, push in the analyzer than rotate the lens to see the how the light polarization has changed.