Direct observation of spherical aberration under microscope using concave micromirrors

Abstract

Many students majoring in science may not have a chance to directly observe spherical aberration or understand its mechanism during their study of optics. In this paper, the author reports a method of directly observing spherical aberration under a microscope by comparing focal spot images of spherical mirrors and parabolic mirrors made of celluloid concave micromirrors, fabricated by Suzuki’s universal microprinting method, invented in Japan in 1930. The application of concave micromirrors to the optical-axis alignment of a microscope light source is also explained. Furthermore, the application of concave micromirrors to a substrate of micro-watch glass, used in microorganism microscopy, is also explained.