An inverted microscope is a microscope with its light source and condenser on the top, above the stage pointing down, while the objectives and turret are below the stage pointing up. It was invented in 1850 by J. Lawrence Smith, a faculty member of Tulane University (then named the Medical College of Louisiana). “MAT” denotes that the microscope is optimized for viewing non-biological material.
Example of an inverted Microscope optimized for viewing metallurgical objects.