What is the function of the iris diaphragm? The substage condenser? The iris diaphragm controls the amount of light passing through the slide or specimen, while the substage condenser focuses a cone of light on the slice or specimen. What is the function of the iris diaphragm The substage condenser? A microscope condenser, also called a substage condenser when it’s not above the stage (as in an inverted microscope), is defined as an optical lens which renders a divergent beam from a point source into a parallel or converging beam to illuminate an object. Where is the substage condenser on a microscope? Condenser lenses are most useful at the highest powers (400x and above). The purpose of the condenser lens is to focus the light onto the specimen. What is the iris diaphragm? It is located below the stage of a microscope and functions to collect Light and direct it onto the object being examined. What is the difference between the iris diaphragm and the condenser in a light microscope?
