Microscope Slides

Microscope Slides Quick Tips

1. Microscope slides are necessary to observe specimens through a compound microscope. Most slides are pieces of pre-cleaned, optically clear, white glass, while others are made from specialty plastics.

2. Glass slides come in a variety of sizes, thicknesses, and shapes. Choose from 1mm or 1.2mm thicknesses, choice of measurements, and flat or concave options to suit your needs. Concave slides (well slides) are typically more expensive but eliminate the need for a cover slip.

3. You will need cover slips to if you're using flat microscope slides. Cover slips prevent the lens from touching and damaging the specimen. Choose a Number One thickness for higher resolution viewing, and choose a Number Two thickness for more general specimen observation.

4. Use a wet mount to view liquid, moist, or live specimens. These are prepared easily with a drop of water, a flat slide, and a cover glass gently placed at an angle over the specimen to spread the water evenly. This protects the specimen from drying too quickly or swimming out of focus. 

5. Permanent microscope slides are prepared prior to observation and include only non-living specimens. A permanent slide locks the specimen in place for clear viewing and can be stained for even clearer viewing.

6. Consider using graticule slides to enhance learning environments. These special purpose microscope slides are equipped with printed grids on them so that observers may estimate the size of the specimen during viewing. Or, some people use mica slides to avoid dusty, scratched, or glaring glass slides.

7. A variety of slides exist to suit specific viewing needs, such as epoxy-coated slides (hydrophobic, chemically resistant, acetone-proof), PTFE slides (extremely hydrophobic for controlling cross contamination), and Silane and Poly-L-Lysine surface slides (adhere tissues and cells to glass surfaces without need of adhesives).

8. We recommend reading all instructions included with your microscope concerning mounting specimens to your slides. Be sure that you are using the correct thickness, dyes, type, and size of slide to get the best results possible. Use all included pieces to help you use your slides and microscope correctly.