Revealing the structure of small objects is not so much a fu

Revealing the structure of small objects is not so much a function of the light microscope\'s ability to magnify as its ability to distinguish detail. The ability to distinguish distinct points (within a specimen) is often called the resolving power (RP). Resolving power, or resolution, depends on the wavelength of light used, and on the numerical aperture (NA) of the objective lens, and can be expressed by the formula below. So if we use a filter that gives us light with a wavelength of 590 nm and an objective lens having a numerical aperture of 0.65, then what will be the minimum distance between two points such that they can be distinguished as separate points? RP = lambda/2 times NA

Solution

Here wavelength of light 650 nm (lambda) & Numerical aperture ( NA) = 0.65

so , Resolving power (RP) , ability to distinguish as separate point will be 650/ (2 x 0.65) = 500 nm