Apparatus And Instruments For Microscopy

Apparatus And Instruments For Microscopy

Microscopy is the scientific field that deals with the study of small objects and structures that cannot be seen with the naked eye. It is a crucial tool in many scientific disciplines, including biology, medicine, materials science, and nanotechnology. The study of such small objects requires the use of specialized instruments and apparatus that can magnify and illuminate the specimens under investigation. The most basic instrument for microscopy is the light microscope, which uses visible light to magnify the specimen. Light microscopes can be further divided into two categories: compound microscopes and stereo microscopes. Compound microscopes use a series of lenses to magnify the specimen, while stereo microscopes use two separate optical paths to provide a three-dimensional view of the specimen. Another type of microscope is the electron microscope, which uses a beam of electrons to illuminate the specimen. Electron microscopes can achieve much higher magnifications than light microscopes and can provide detailed information about the structure of the specimen at the atomic level. There are two types of electron microscopes: transmission electron microscopes (TEMs) and scanning electron microscopes (SEMs). TEMs use a thin section of the specimen to produce an image, while SEMs scan the surface of the specimen to produce a three-dimensional image. Other specialized microscopes include confocal microscopes, which use lasers to illuminate the specimen and produce high-resolution images, and atomic force microscopes, which use a tiny probe to scan the surface of the specimen and provide information about its topography and mechanical properties. In addition to microscopes, there are many other instruments and apparatus used in microscopy. These include sample preparation tools such as microtomes, which are used to cut thin sections of specimens for observation under a microscope, and staining agents, which are used to enhance the contrast of the specimen. There are also specialized cameras and software used to capture and analyze images produced by microscopes.

microscopy, light microscope, compound microscope, stereo microscope, electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, confocal microscope, atomic force microscope, microtome, staining agent, camera, software

— Kevin Harris

CITATION : "Kevin Harris. 'Apparatus And Instruments For Microscopy.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=285896 (Accessed on April 21, 2025)"