Microscope Slide

Microscope slides are usually made of soda lime or borosilicate glass with ground or polished edges. Some are made of specialty plastics, and fused quartz is sometimes used for fluorescence microscopy. Microscope slides are used to hold samples and specimens in place. Standard microscope slides measure approximately 75 × 25mm (3 × 1 in.) and are 1mm thick. Other special purpose sizes are also available: 75 × 50mm for geological use, 46 × 27mm for petrographic studies, 48 × 28mm for thin sections. The slides are primarily used for microscopic investigation of tissue sections and cells from suspensions, preparation of specimens and their archiving.