vertical illumination
Quick Summary
Vertical illumination is a technique used in metallography and other fields to examine opaque objects, such as metal surfaces, under a microscope. This method involves directing light downwards through the objective lens onto the specimen. The light is reflected or scattered back to the objective and then to the eyepiece, allowing the observer to see the specimen's surface details. This is distinct from other illumination methods where light passes through the specimen. Vertical illumination is crucial for identifying defects, studying crystal structures in metal alloys, and examining rocks and minerals.1
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.
