Olympus interactive Java tutorials are designed to simplify and explain complex topics in microscopy, optics, digital imaging, and photomicrography. Each tutorial explores an individual topic and takes advantage of powerful Java technology to create interactive features that allow the visitor to change parameters and observe how this affects the phenomenon being studied. Use the links below to navigate to interactive Java tutorials of interest.

Anatomy of the Microscope - Explore the basics of microscope configuration and operation with these interactive tutorials. Subjects range from elementary aspects of magnification and illumination to specialized objectives, condensers, and the latest designs in microscope eyepieces. Also reviewed in this section is Köhler illumination, optical aberrations, image formation, and reflected light microscopy.

Light and Color - Examine fundamental properties of light such as reflection, diffraction, refraction, polarization, and interference with interactive Java tutorials in this section of the primer. Basic aspects of ray tracing through lenses and from the surfaces of mirrors are also explored as are various aspects of color. Also included are several tutorials on birefringence, human vision, and filtration of light.

Specialized Techniques - Among the advanced techniques utilized by modern microscopists are fluorescence, differential interference contrast, infrared imaging, polarized light, darkfield, Hoffman modulation contrast, phase and contrast. Interactive Java tutorials in this section are intended to allow visitors and students to examine complex topics involved with these specialized techniques and to master the intricate details of advanced optical microscopy.

Photomicrography - Although classical photomicrography on film is rapidly yielding ground to advances in digital imaging, many microscopists continue to capture images with chemical-impregnated emulsions. Interactive Java tutorials on both photomicrography and digital imaging are included in this section, as well as tutorials on the fundamentals of CCD operation, color temperature, and filters for microscopy.

Virtual Microscopy - Discover how advanced optical microscopy techniques are employed to produce images of specimens with these interactive Java tutorials. Among the microscopy techniques simulated are polarized light, phase contrast, Hoffman modulation contrast, differential interference contrast, reflected light, fluorescence, and Rheinberg illumination.