# Microscope resolution / target reference samples

**URL:** <https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/microscope-resolution-target-reference-samples/407>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [2 February 2021 19:09 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/microscope-resolution-target-reference-samples/407 "2021-02-02T19:09:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mikebeversluis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@mikebeversluis](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/mikebeversluis)\
**Post date:** [2 February 2021 19:09 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/microscope-resolution-target-reference-samples/407/1 "2021-02-02T19:09:41Z")

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hi - has anyone found a low cost sample material or reference for calibrating the stage motion or microscope image sampling?

I suspect CDs / DVDs could be used if appropriately opened?

Ideally I would like to get something with micron or sub-micron features.

Thanks,

Mike

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**Author:** ![WilliamW](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/openflexure.discourse.group/williamw/32/106_2.png) [@WilliamW](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/WilliamW)\
**Post date:** [2 February 2021 20:52 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/microscope-resolution-target-reference-samples/407/2 "2021-02-02T20:52:26Z")

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We were recently discussing different ideas for readily available calibration targets.

You can see the tracks on a CD with 20x objective (just) or above. In transmission you need to peel off the foil. Put tape on the CD, then pull up. May need to score to get an edge to pull up. Blank CDR are good. The tracks are on the side if the disk that the foil pulled off. You may need dust or a pen mark so that you can focus as the tracks are low contrast and hard to see except when well focused. DVD and blue-ray construction is different and this does not work.

There is a standard CD track spacing, but I have not looked at how much variation there is, so whether this is a good reference.

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**Author:** ![r.w.bowman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/openflexure.discourse.group/r.w.bowman/32/15_2.png) [@r.w.bowman](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/r.w.bowman)\
**Post date:** [3 February 2021 12:47 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/microscope-resolution-target-reference-samples/407/3 "2021-02-03T12:47:06Z")

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My go-to target is a [thorlabs USAF slide](https://www.thorlabs.de/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=R3L1S4P) but that’s about £150. You can pick up a basic “stage micrometer” for around £20, e.g. from [GT Vision](https://www.gtvision.co.uk/epages/es141397.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es141397/Products/5151) though they are obtainable more cheaply from other, less official looking sources like eBay. You don’t get a calibration certificate with either of those, so while they’ll be about right, don’t assume they are exactly the distance they claim.

Using a CD or something (particularly if we can check the calibration with a laser pointer diffraction experiment afterwards) would be really cute!