Smartphone microscopy: Design and implementation of a dual magnification system

Abstract

This paper presents a dual magnification smartphone microscope designed for versatile imaging, enabling low magnification for wide-field viewing and high magnification for detailed biological sample analysis and automatic control of the working distance. It offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional lab microscopes, particularly in low-resource settings. Simulated, optimized, and designed using Ansys Zemax OpticStudio, the microscope was fabricated with 3D printing technology. Dual magnification (150x and 1000x) was achieved with two optical paths, improving resolution to 1 µm at higher and 1.5 µm at lower magnifications.  The design provides clear and accurate images. The smartphone integration enhances usability, allowing easy magnification switching, image capture, and potential use of diagnostic applications.