FM Illumination Methods: Coaxial Vs. Oblique  » December 12, 2005 There are two types of lighting commonly used for termination inspection: coaxial and oblique. Each has its advantages, so we offer both types of microscopes. Our C-Series and DI-Series incorporate coaxial illumination to provide maximum light transmission and render the clearest view of polish quality. In short, you see scratches very clearly with this type of illumination. This design is far preferred by fiber specialists because they can see exactly what type of polish quality they have produced. This product is recommended only for those experienced with installing and maintaining in-service fiber, as an inexperienced installer can waste time over-polishing because they can see too much detail. Our L-Series, E-Series, and DI-Series all utilize oblique illumination. This lighting method provides a clear view of core condition and cleanliness. This product is very popular with field technicians who are polishing connectors for a moderate bandwidth system and are not critically concerned with small scratches. These microscopes may be better suited for less-experienced technicians who are not highly-trained fiber installers. Both coaxial and oblique microscopes provide an excellent view of the ferrule end-face. We recommend 200x magnification for multimode and 400x magnification for single mode. If you frequently terminate fiber and have received professional training, you are probably best served by our C-Series microscope. If you only occasionally terminate fiber, and are unsure, you might consider the L-Series or E-Series. While the DI-Series incorporates both illumination techniques, it is available in only 100x and 200x magnifications. FOR INFORMATION CONTACT / Joe Bradlo VP Sales & Marketing T (425) 398-1298   Email