Lab Skills: Oil Immersion
How to Use an Oil Immersion Lens
Using a 100x oil immersion lens in microscopy is essential for viewing fine details in a sample. It improves resolution and clarity by minimizing light refraction. Normally, light bends (refracts) as it passes from the glass slide to the air and into the lens, causing light loss and blurry images at high magnifications.
Immersion oil, which has a refractive index similar to glass, reduces refraction by creating a continuous optical path between the slide and the lens. As a result, more light enters the objective, enhancing resolution, brightness, and the ability to see tiny structures like bacteria.
Our instructional handout, video demonstration, and poster for classroom support will help you get started.
Instructional Handout
By using these resources, students will be prepared for labs in your course. Additionally, they’ll develop the same skills used by scientists and industry professionals.
Poster for Classroom Support
Our lab skill poster highlights careers by drawing real-world connections between the skill of using oil immersion and how the practice is used for scientific advancement.
Lab Skills Walkthrough Video
Introduce students to using an oil immersion lens with this walkthrough video.
Related Products
Carolina Immersion Oil, Laboratory Grade, 15-mL Dropping bottle
Lens Cleaning Kit
LABOMED® CxL Cordless Microscopes, Built in Mechanical Stage, 4 Objective Lenses
Accu-Scope® 3000-LED Binocular Microscope with Infinity Plan Achromatic Objectives
Bacteriology Survey Microscope Slide Sets
We can work together.
At Carolina, we believe that it is essential for students to master foundational lab skills that will propel them throughout their academic and professional careers. We created a series of resources designed to help both teachers and students develop the lab skills needed to succeed.
