Polarizing microscopes, phase contrast microscopes, laboratory microscopes, nomarski microscopes, fluorescence microscopes and darkfield microscopes are all part of scientific research, material research and industrial applications.

For geological and industrial laboratories, a polarized microscope may be required.  A polarizing microscope is equipped with a polarizer and an analyzer and preferably with a circular, rotating, graduated stage.  This is designed to study specimens illuminated with polarized light, perfect for research of rocks and minerals.

To visualize unstained, transparent specimens with transmitted light, phase contrast microscopes are used and specimens can be made to appear darker.  Phase contrast microscopes have an annular stop in the lower focal plane of the condenser and quarter-wave absorbing ring in the upper focal plane of the objective.  Light defracted by the phase differences in the object interferes with the direct light like an interference microscope and leads to an image that appears with variations in brightness.  Differential interference contrast (DIC) can be used to equally good effect.  This may be called a nomarski microscope.  Fluorescence microscopes emit light of a longer wavelength.  The use of fluorescence microscopes allows the observation of fluorescence in some materials when they are irradiated with ultraviolet, blue or green light.  Specimens may also be studied with fluorescence microscopes under low light levels that do not damage the specimen.

Biomedical microscopes and biological microscopes are perfect for laboratory needs and life science applications for medical schools and clinical laboratories.  Biological microscopes help science with plants and animal study.