Question

The maximum resolution in nm achieved through an oil immersion lens of numerical aperture 1.4 using an incident light of wavelength 380 nm is ........... (decimal digits up to 2 places)

Hint:

Use the Rayleigh criterion to calculate the maximum resolution of a microscope based on the wavelength of light and the numerical aperture.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 162

Step 1: Use the Rayleigh criterion for resolution.
The resolution \( R \) of a microscope is given by the formula: \[ R = \frac{0.61 \lambda}{NA}, \] where \( \lambda \) is the wavelength of light and \( NA \) is the numerical aperture of the lens.

Step 2: Substitute the given values.
Given \( \lambda = 380 \, \text{nm} \) and \( NA = 1.4 \), substitute these values into the equation: \[ R = \frac{0.61 \times 380 \, \text{nm}}{1.4} = \frac{231.8 \, \text{nm}}{1.4} = 271.43 \, \text{nm}. \]

Step 3: Conclusion.
The maximum resolution is approximately 271.43 nm.