Fig. 9: Using Immersion Oil to Create an Optically Homogeneous Light Path

An illustration showing how immersion oil creates an optically homogeneous light path when using oil immersion microscopy.

The immersion oil has the same refractive index as the glass lens and the glass slide. This prevents distortion because the light waves follow a homogeneous path.

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Microbiology Laboratory Manual by Gary E. Kaiser, PhD, Professor of Microbiology
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Last updated: Nov., 2022