Editing Microscope slide (section)

==Dimensions and types==
[[File:Microscope slides.svg|right|thumb|Common dimensions of microscope slides (in mm).]]
A standard microscope slide measures about 75&nbsp;mm by 25&nbsp;mm (3″ by 1″) and is about 1&nbsp;mm thick. A range of other sizes are available for various special purposes, such as 75 x 50&nbsp;mm for [[geological]] use, 46 x 27&nbsp;mm for [[petrographic]] studies, and 48 x 28&nbsp;mm for [[thin section]]s. Slides are usually made of common glass and their edges are often [[ground glass|finely ground]] or polished.

Microscope slides are usually made of optical quality [[glass]], such as [[soda lime glass]] or [[borosilicate glass]], but specialty plastics are also used. [[Fused quartz]] slides are often used when [[ultraviolet]] transparency is important, e.g. in [[fluorescence microscopy]].<ref name=tedpella>
  [http://www.tedpella.com/histo_html/quartz-micro-slides.htm Quartz Microscospe Slides and Cover Slips] from a commercial website (Ted Pella). Accessed on 2010-01-23.
</ref><ref name=spi>[http://www.2spi.com/catalog/ltmic/quartz.shtml Quartz Microscope Slides and Cover Slips] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810194644/http://2spi.com/catalog/ltmic/quartz.shtml |date=2015-08-10 }} catalog page from a commercial website (SPI Supplies).  Accessed on 2010-01-23.</ref>

While plain slides are the most common, there are several specialized types. A '''concavity slide''' or '''cavity slide''' has one or more shallow depressions ("wells"), designed to hold slightly thicker objects, and certain samples such as liquids and [[tissue culture]]s.<ref name=emsdia/>  Slides may have rounded corners for increased safety or robustness, or a cut-off corner for use with a slide clamp or cross-table, where the slide is secured by a spring-loaded curved arm contacting one corner, forcing the opposing corner of the slide against a right angled arm which does not move. If this system were used with a slide which did not incorporate these cut-off corners, the corners would chip and the slide could shatter.<ref name=emsdia/>

A '''graticule slide''' is marked with a [[wikt:grid|grid]] of lines (for example, a 1&nbsp;mm grid) that allows the size of objects seen under magnification to be easily estimated and provides reference areas for counting minute objects.   Sometimes one square of the grid will itself be subdivided into a finer grid.  Slides for specialized applications, such as [[hemocytometer]]s for cell counting, may have various reservoirs, channels and barriers [[etching|etched]] or [[ground glass|ground]] on their upper surface.<ref name="lentz">
{{cite web|url=https://www.huidainstrument.com/info/lentz-microscopy-collection-a-marvel-of-histo-96083781.html|title=Lentz Microscopy Collection|access-date=30 May 2024}}
</ref>  Various permanent markings or masks may be [[printing|printed]], [[sand blasting|sand-blasted]], or deposited on the surface by the manufacturer, usually with inert materials such as [[polytetrafluoroethylene|PTFE]].<ref name=tekdon>
  [http://www.tekdon.com/microscope-slides.html  Microscope Slides] catalog page from a commercial website (TEKDON).  Accessed on 2010-01-23.
</ref>
<gallery mode=packed>
File:Neubauer improved counting chamber.jpg|A [[Hemocytometer|Neubauer slide]] for cell counting.
File:Neubauer improved with cells.jpg|Microscope image of a Neubauer slide's graticule being used to count [[Cell (biology)|cells]].
File:Urinary phase-contrast microscopy.jpg|A Neubauer slide held in place on a microscope stand by a slide clamp on a cross-table.
File:Standard and large microscope slide.jpg|Standard (75 x 25&nbsp;mm or 3x1″) and large (75 x 51&nbsp;mm or 3x2″) microscope slide.
</gallery>
Some slides have a [[frosted glass|frosted]] or [[vitreous enamel|enamel-coated]] area at one end, for labeling with a pencil or pen.<ref name=emsdia>
  [http://www.emsdiasum.com/microscopy/products/histology/slides.aspx Histology and Light Microscopy] catalog page from a commercial website (EMS).  Accessed on 2010-01-23.
</ref> Slides may have special coatings applied by the manufacturer, e.g. for chemical inertness or enhanced [[cell adhesion]].  The coating may have a permanent [[electric charge]] to hold thin or powdery samples. Common coatings include [[poly-L-lysine]], [[silane]]s, [[epoxy resin]]s,<ref name=emsdia/><ref name=tekdon/> or even [[gold]].<ref name=asyl>
  [http://www.asylumresearch.com/Products/GoldSlides/GoldSlidesDSHR.pdf Gold Coated Microscope Slides and DNA Imaging Kit]  catalog page from a commercial website (Asylum Research).  Accessed on 2011-08-31.
</ref>