Final answer:
An optical inspection system is used to distinguish the chemical composition and structural details of a specimen, applicable in fields like materials science and biomedical research. It employs scattered monochromatic light for high-contrast imaging and uses contrast enhancement techniques and condensers for better visibility at high magnifications.
Step-by-step explanation:
An optical inspection system is primarily used to distinguish the chemical composition of a specimen as well as structural details. Advanced microscopes with the aid of monochromators and spectral analyzers can detect scattered monochromatic light from a laser, which, when interacting with the sample, provides information analogous to molecular fingerprints, thereby offering high contrast and detailed insight into the sample's characteristics. This technology is increasingly crucial in fields such as materials science, nanotechnology, and biomedical sciences and is involved in the detection of intricate details in biochemical processes.
Enhancing image contrast can be a challenge due to the light-absorbent nature of microscopic objects. Techniques like using stains and employing wave interference can enhance contrast significantly. In microscopy, it's often necessary to use a condenser for increasing the light intensity on the specimen, especially when observed at higher magnifications. With advancements in technology, new prototype microscopes are in development with the potential of offering better diagnostic and research capacities.