Optical microscopy from 1X to 1000X is achieved with a variety of microscopes. Images can be formed in bright field, dark field, and differential interference contrast (DIC or ‘Nomarski’) modes. Optical microscopy is often used before any other techniques to document samples. Color and morphology are important clues in materials identification.

Dendrites shorting
solder balls.

        Corrosion of coating.

Movies can be made of component operation.