The stereo or stereoscopic or dissecting microscope is an optical microscope variant designed for low magnification observation of a sample, typically using light reflected from the surface of an object rather than transmitted through it. The instrument uses two separate optical paths with two objectives and eyepieces to provide slightly different viewing angles to the left and right eyes. This arrangement produces a three-dimensional visualization of the sample being examined. Stereomicroscopy overlaps macrophotography for recording and examining solid samples with complex surface topography, where a three-dimensional view is needed for analyzing the detail.
The stereo microscope is often used to study the surfaces of solid specimens or to carry out close work such as dissection, microsurgery, watch-making, circuit board manufacture or inspection, and fracture surfaces as in fractography and forensic engineering. They are thus widely used in manufacturing industry for manufacture, inspection and quality control.
Focus Precision Instruments offers the following examples of Stereo Microscopes:
- Discovery Series
- Stemi 508
- Stemi 305
- SMZ-171 Series
- SMZ-161 Series
- K Series
- FPI-850 Series
- FPI-800IC Series
- FPI HRCM Imaging System
Zeiss Solutions
Motic Solutions
FPI Solutions