immersion objective
Quick Summary
The term "immersion objective" refers to a specialized lens used in microscopy. To achieve higher magnification and resolution, a drop of oil with a specific refractive index is placed between the microscope slide and the objective lens. This immersion liquid matches the refractive index of the lens's first component, reducing light refraction and allowing for clearer examination of the specimen. This technique is crucial for high-power objectives, enabling magnifications of 50x and even up to 100x. Water-immersion lenses are also available for examining specimens in watery environments.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
microscopeOpticsAn immersion objective requires a liquid, usually a transparent oil of the same R.I. as glass, to occupy the space between the object and the front element of the objective.
Read MoreAn immersion objective requires a liquid, usually a transparent oil of the same R.I. as glass, to occupy the space between the object and the front element of the objective.
Read More- microscopeHigh-power objectives
…microscope objective available is the immersion objective. When this type of objective is used, a drop of oil must be placed between the object on the microscope slide and the objective. The oil used has an R.I. that matches that of the glass in the first component of the objective.
Read More…microscope objective available is the immersion objective. When this type of objective is used, a drop of oil must be placed between the object on the microscope slide and the objective. The oil used has an R.I. that matches that of the glass in the first component of the objective.
Read More