Inverted Microscopes

In an inverted microscope, the objective lenses are positioned below the specimen stage. The sample is therefore observed from underneath. This arrangement allows living cells and other specimens to be examined directly in culture vessels or Petri dishes without transferring them to a conventional microscope slide.

In an upright microscope, the objective lenses are positioned above the sample. In an inverted microscope, the objectives are located below the specimen stage. This makes it possible to examine samples directly in culture vessels, liquids or on larger flat materials.

Depending on its design, an inverted microscope is particularly suitable for the following applications:

• Observing living cells in cell culture vessels
• Fluorescence examinations in research and diagnostics
• Analysing coated, metallic or other reflective surfaces

Yes. The metallurgical inverted microscopes in the KERN OLM series are designed to examine solid and reflective materials such as metals, alloys and coatings. They use reflected light and are suitable for applications including materials testing, metallography and quality assurance.

KERN offers two product families: the OCM series includes conventional inverted microscopes for cell culture and laboratory diagnostics as well as inverted fluorescence microscopes for marker-based examinations. The OLM series comprises metallurgical inverted microscopes for materials analysis and materials testing.

Depending on the model, KERN inverted microscopes use LED or halogen illumination. LED illumination is energy-efficient and has a long service life, while halogen illumination provides natural colour rendering. OLM models use reflected light. OCM models use transmitted light and, depending on the version, additional fluorescence illumination.

Yes. The KERN inverted microscopes in this category have a trinocular tube that can be connected to a suitable microscope camera. This enables live image display, image capture and digital documentation alongside visual observation.

The metallurgical inverted microscopes in the KERN OLM series use reflected light. This illumination method is suitable for solid, opaque and reflective specimens such as metals, alloys and coatings.

A trinocular tube has two eyepiece tubes and an additional camera port. It enables users to observe the specimen visually while simultaneously capturing images or live video for documentation, education or analysis.

The price of an inverted microscope primarily depends on its design, illumination, included objectives and equipment for phase contrast, fluorescence or digital documentation. Conventional OCM inverted microscopes, OCM fluorescence models and metallurgical OLM models therefore differ in price. Current prices are shown directly with the products in this category.

A KERN inverted microscope requires a microscope camera that is compatible with the model and trinocular tube, using a C-mount connection or a suitable adapter. Depending on the camera model, USB, HDMI or WLAN connectivity may be available. The connection, sensor format and required adapter should be checked before selecting a camera.

OCM inverted microscopes for cell culture and diagnostics are typically equipped with 10x, 20x and 40x objectives. Depending on the model, metallurgical OLM microscopes use 5x, 10x, 20x and 50x objectives. The exact configuration is specified in the respective product data.