ASSIGNMENT N0#01

ENGINEERING MATERIAL C.CODE:0246

. MICRO STRUCTURE:
Micro structure is the very small scale structure of a material defined as
the structure of a prepared surface of material as revealed by a
microscope above 25× magnification. The microstructure of a material
(such as metals, polymers, ceramics or composites) can strongly influence
physical properties such as strength, toughness, ductility, hardness,
corrosion resistance, high/low temperature behaviour or wear
resistance.[1] Adapted from ASM Metals Handbook, Ninth Edition, v. 9, "Metallography and Microstructures

MICROSCOPIC TECHNIQUES:
Microscopy is the technique used to view objects that cannot be seen
by the naked eye. The range can be anything between mm and nm.

TECHNIQUES:
There are three main techniques that are used.

 Optical microscopy
 Scanning probe microscopy
 Electron microscopy
OPTICAL MICROSCOPY:
Otherwise known as light microscopy, it involves the use-age of visible
light and one or more lens to produce an enlarged image of an object
that is placed in the focal plane of the lens. This can either branch off
into transmission, where the beam of light passes through the sample
or reflection where the beam reflects off the sample surface, i.e
reflected light microscope. There are many applications to Optical
microscopy such as in nanophysics and biotechnology but in medicine it
is mostly known as being used in diagnosis when we are dealing with
tissues or tests on free cells known as a smear test.[2]WIKILECTURE

OPTICAL MICROSCOPE
SCANNING PROBE MICROSCOPY:
This is another branch of microscopy that involves using a probe to scan
the object. Basically it works by being moved around in a rectangular
pattern known as raster scanning. A type of scanning probe microscopy
is called STM (scanning tunneling microscopy) this is when a very sharp
conducting tip is brought to the surface and a voltage is applied
between them and we are able to find out the tunnel current and if this
is maintained we can trace the elevation of the surface and thus
produce it on an x-ray. There are advantages and disadvantages to SPM
however, for example the major advantages being that small structures
can be created as the interaction can be modified from the probe and
unlike electron microscopy we do not need a vacuum. The
disadvantages being that the maximum image is generally small and the
detailed shape can be hard to distinguish of the scanning [3]
[4]
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY:
This is a form of microscopy that uses electron beams to create an
image of the object being used. They have a much higher magnification
than light microscopes and so a much higher resolution as a result, this
allows us to see smaller specimens in greater detail. The resolution is
able to be increased because as the electrons travel faster their
wavelength becomes shorter so there is a direct correlation between
reducing wavelength and increasing resolution. There are 2 types of
electron microscopes used, Transmission and Scanning electron
microscopes. TEM involves shooting a high voltage beam through a thin
layer of specimen and gathering information about the structure. SEM
in contrast produces images by detecting secondary electrons that have
been emitted off the surface due to excitation by the primary
electron beam. Therefore the electron beam across the surface is
scanned in a raster pattern by mapping the detected signals with the
beam position. While we do get a better quality image and different
kinds of images due to TEM and SEM there are disadvantages.
Unfortunately it is very expensive to build and maintain as it is sensitive
to magnetic fields and needs a cool water supply running through the
lens constantly. Since the electron microscope is a specialized
instrument, a high level of training needs to be done to operate
it[5]study.com
APPLICATION OF MICROSCOPIC TECHNIQUE
THAT USED IN MICROSCOPIC STRUCTURE:
OPTICAL MICROSCOPY:
The main uses of compound optical microscopes include:

The examining small pieces of material, or even a smear or a squash

preparation. This is due to the fact that the optical microscope uses
light to pass beneath the object and enter the lenses. That's why the
item is better be half-transparent. In other uses the optical microscope
may be used to examine metal samples, in order to study the metal's
structure.

At low power, microscopes can be used to examine small living animals

and plants. At high power, they can be used to examine bacteria.

It is important to note that the vast advancement in medicinal fields

and biology in general, is owed to a large extent, to the invention of the
optical microscopes. For example, the way the blood flows in our body
was not fully understood until the microscope made in possible to
examine small blood vessels behavior.

SCANNING PROBE MICROSCOPY:

Scanning probe microscopes (SPMs) are a family of tools used to make
images of Nano scale surfaces and structures, including atoms. They
use a physical probe to scan back and forth over the surface of a
sample. During this scanning process, a computer gathers data that are
used to generate an image of the surface. In addition to visualizing
Nano scale structures, some kinds of SPMs can be used to manipulate
individual atoms and move them to make specific patterns. SPMs are
different from optical microscopes because the user doesn’t “see” the
surface directly. Instead, the tool “feels” the surface and creates an
image to represent it.

ELECTRON MICROSCOPY:
Electron microscopy has a diverse range of applications in practice. The
ability to view the microscopic structure of a specimen at a higher
resolution than what is possible with optical microscopy gives it a
distinct role in scientific research and industry applications. Several of
these applications are covered in more detail below

Scientific Research:
Electronic microscopes are commonly used in research laboratories,
universities, and nanotechnology centers. In these institutions, the
structure of the specimen can be observed in great detail to provide
information about its function. Findings from scientific research centers
can then be built upon and utilized by other bodies, such as industrial
companies.

Industry:
Electron microscopy is often used for industrial purposes to assist in
developing new products and throughout the manufacturing process.
Natural Resources:
Electron microscopy may be used to characterize and analyze organic
materials, which is particularly valuable information for mining
companies. The microscopes can provide automated, objective, and
quantitative information about the environment quickly.
Forensic Science:
Another application of electron microscopy is forensic science, which
involves an analysis to provide evidence for crime and law purposes.
For example, an electron microscope may be used to analyze the acute
details of a relevant specimen, such as residue from a gunshot or a
sample of clothing fibers, blood, or other biological substance.

References:

1. http://www.imaging-git.com/science/electron-and-ion-
microscopy/applications-electron-microscopy-medicine
2. https://www.fei.com/introduction-to-electron-
microscopy/applications/
3. http://www.ammrf.org.au/myscope/tem/background/practical/