Uy, Bryan Paul B.

2G-PH
January 25, 2016
Different types of microscope and their
uses
Aside from lens system classification,
microscopes are classified based on their
area of application and performance,
their cost, their versatile nature or any
other aspect.

Compound Microscope: The

compound microscope is built of
two systems of lenses for greater
magnification (an objective and
an ocular: eye piece). The utmost
useful magnification of a
compound microscope is about
1000x.

Stereo Microscope (dissecting

microscope): The
stereomicroscope is an optical
microscope, which magnifies up
to about maximum 100x and
provides a 3- dimensional view
of the specimen.
Stereomicroscopes are highly
useful for observing opaque
objects.

Optical Microscope: Optical

microscope uses visible light (or UV
light in the case of fluorescence
microscopy) to sharply magnify the
samples. The light rays refract with
optical lenses. Dating back to the first
microscopes that were invented, it is
found that they belonged to this
category. Optical microscopes can be
further subdivided into several
categories:

Confocal Laser Scanning

Microscope: Unlike compound
and stereomicroscope, Confocal
Laser scanning microscope are
reserved for research
organizations. Such microscopes
are able to scan a sample also in
depth. A computer can then
assemble the data to create a 3D
image.

Electron Microscopes: Electron

microscopes are the most advanced
microscopes used in modern sciences.
The electron microscopes essentially
function on the principle of a beam of
electrons that strikes any object that
comes to its path to magnify it. Electron
microscopes are designed specifically
for studying cells and small particles of
matter, as well as large objects.

Transmission Microscope:
Transmission microscopes are designed
for studying cells and tiny slices of
microorganisms like viruses, the
Transmission Microscope is an effective
device used for studying cells and tiny
slices of microorganisms that have been
stained with palladium and gold and
place upon a wire grid.

Scanning Electron Microscope:

Scanning Electron Microscope is
characterized as a microscope that has
lower magnifying power but can provide
3 dimensional viewing of objects. The
Scanning Electron Microscope captures
the image of the object in black and
white after being stained with gold and
palladium.

Reflection Electron Microscope:

Reflection electron microscopes are also
designed on the principle of electron
beams but they are characteristically
different from transmission and scanning
electron microscopes being that it is built
to detect electrons that have been
scattered elastically.

X-ray Microscope: An X-ray

microscope uses a beam of x-rays to
create an unparalleled high-resolution
3D image. Due to the small wavelength,
the image resolution is higher as
compared to optical microscopes. The
greatest useful magnification is therefore
also higher and it lies between the
optical microscopes and electron
microscopes. X-ray microscope holds
significant importance in science and
research and has got one special
advantage over electron microscopes is.
It allows observing the structure of the
living cells. It is adept at slicing together
thousands of images to generate a single
3D X-ray image

Scanning Helium Ion Microscope

(SHIM or HeIM): Scanning Helium Ion
Microscope is a new imaging
technology, which uses a beam of
Helium ions beams to generate an
image. This technology has several
advantages over the traditional electron
microscopes; one advantage lies in the
fact that the sample is left mostly intact
(due to the low energy requirements) and
that it provides a high resolution. The
first commercial systems were released
in 2007.

technology would use neutrons instead

of beams of light or electrons to generate
high-resolution images.

Scanning acoustic microscope (SAM):

Scanning acoustic microscope uses
focused sound waves to generate an
image. An acoustic microscope has a
wide range of applications in materials
science to detect small cracks or tensions
in materials. The scanning acoustic
microscope is a powerful tool, which can
also be used in biology to study the
physical properties of the biological
structure and help uncover tensions,
stress and elasticity inside the biological
structure.

Neutron Microscope: Still under an

experimental stage, Neutron microscope
generates a high-resolution image and
may offer better contrast than other
forms of microscopy. The new

Scanning Probe Microscopes:

Scanning Probe Microscope helps
visualize individual atoms. The image of
the atom is computer-generated,
however. It provides the researchers an
imaging tool for the future where a small
tip measures the surface structure of the
sample. These specialized microscopes
provide high image magnification to
observe three-dimensional specimens. If
an atom projects out of the surface, then
a higher electrical current flows through
the tip. The amount of current that flows
is proportional to the height of the
structure. A computer then assembles the
position data of the tip. An enhanced 3D
image is generated.