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How to Build a Heated Microscope Stage

A microscope is a scientific instrument designed to visualize small objects. There are now many different types of microscope, including the optical microscope, electron microscope and atomic force microscope. All of these microscopes normally operate at room temperature, but sometimes it is desirable to study the properties of a sample at higher temperatures. To do this, a simple microscope heater stage can be built from a few materials normally found in a common laboratory.

Things You'll Need

Copper wire
Copper block
Thermocouple
Thermocouple display unit
DC power supply
Thermal glue
Copper shim

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the available space at the sample position under the microscope. Machine the copper block to a suitable set of dimensions so it fits in the sample space.
- 2
  Wrap the copper wire around the copper block many times. The more coils of wire, the greater the amount of heat that will be generated. Ensure that two loose pieces of wire are available on either side of the coil so that they can be connected to a power supply.
- 3
  Connect the two ends of the coiled wire to the positive and negative terminal of the DC power supply.
- 4
  Using the thermal glue, attach the copper shim flat on top of the coil to be make the sample stage. Glue the end of the thermocouple to just underneath the copper shim. This will allow a determination of the sample stage temperature. Wait a few hours for the glue to dry.
- 5
  Place the new heater stage within the sample space of the microscope. Switch on the DC power supply and apply a small current. Turn on the thermocouple display unit. The temperature should slowly rise. Generally, the more current that flows through the wire, the greater the heat.

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