Key Parameters of Optical Microscopes：Magnification

The magnification of an optical microscope refers to the ratio at which an object is enlarged after being imaged through the microscope. This ratio is obtained by multiplying the magnification of the eyepiece by that of the objective lens. 

For example, if the eyepiece has a magnification of 10x and the objective lens has a magnification of 40x, the total magnification of the microscope is 10 × 40 = 400x.

The formula for calculating the total magnification of an optical microscope is:

Total Magnification = Eyepiece Magnification × Objective Magnification

It is worth noting that while higher magnification reveals more details of the observed object, excessively high magnification may cause image distortion or blurriness. Therefore, when using an optical microscope, the appropriate magnification should be selected based on the observation requirements and sample characteristics.

Additionally, the magnification of an optical microscope is influenced by other factors, such as the numerical aperture and resolution.