Life Science Encyclopedia

An Abbe condenser is a component of a microscope. It was invented by Ernst Karl Abbe in 1870. The Abbe condenser is mounted below the stage of the microscope, and concentrates and controls the light that passes through the specimen and enters the objective. It has two controls, one which moves the Abbe condenser closer to or further from the stage, and another, the iris diaphragm, which controls the diameter of the beam of light. The controls can be used to optimize brightness, evenness of illumination, and contrast.

Abbe condensers are more useful at magnifications of above 400X.

References

• "Abbe condenser". (2006). Photonics Dictionary. (abridged online edition). Pittsfield MA: Laurin Publishing. [1].
• "Abbe, Ernst". Encyclopædia Britannica. . Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service. [2].
• Microbus. (2003). Glossary of microscope terms. [3].
• Olympus America Inc. (2006). Olympus Microscopy Resource Center: Anatomy of the Microscope - Substage Condenser. [4].