Microscope for IC die inspection

Hi,

I'm currently in the process of decapping some IC's by means of chemical etching and I would like to know what kind of microscope I should buy to inspect the die afterwards. According to the documents on decapping that I read, I need around 100x magnification (they are early eighties IC's, the density isn't that high by modern standerds).

I was wondering if the Konus Konusfirst would be sufficient. Probably I need to attach some ultra-bright leds to get good lighting conditions, but that's no problem. I specifically like the projection viewer as that would enable me to take photographs from a tripod directed at the viewer and with a long exposure time.

This is the sole purpose I need a microscope for. Would this enable me to get a reasonable picture of the die or should I forget about it and go for a more expensive microscope?

Regards,
--Ivo

Hi

No, you need a stereo microscope any time you are using specimens too large to mount on a slide. try the excellent http://www.opticsplanet.net/sfstermic.html, which will give you 100x and also enough working room. The LOMO is widely used in industrial applications. A cheap Konus, or any cheap microscope, wouldn't last a week in an industrial setting.

For a beginners guide on how to choose your first micrscope, see my article, Microscope Guide for Beginners