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5 TYPES OF MICROSCOPES

Simple Microscope - a simple microscope is

defined as the type of microscope that uses a
single lens for the magnification of the
sample. A simple microscope is a convex
lens with a small focal length.

Principle of Simple Microscope

The working principle of a simple microscope
is that when a sample is placed within the focus of the microscope, a virtual, erect and
magnified image is obtained at the least distance of distinct vision from the eye that is
held at the lens.

Application of Simple Microscope

● It is common among the watchmakers as they can view a magnified image of the
smallest parts.
● It is also used by the jewelers for obtaining a magnified image of the fine parts of
the jewelry.
● Most educational institutions such as schools and colleges use a simple
microscope in their laboratories.
● Dermatologists (skin specialists) use simple microscopes to identify different skin
diseases.

Compound Microscope - is defined as the

type of microscope that has more than one
lens. It has a combination of lenses and two
optical parts known as an objective lens and
an eyepiece or ocular lens.
Principle of Compound Microscope
The working principle of the compound microscope is that the combination of lenses
enhances the magnification of the sample. The sample is first viewed as a primary
image in the tube and viewed again in the eyepiece.

Applications of Compound Microscope

The study of bacteria and viruses is possible with the help of a compound microscope.
A compound microscope finds application in forensic laboratories.
It is also used in metallurgy.

Electron Microscope
An electron microscope is defined as the type
of microscope in which the source of
illumination is the beam of accelerated
electrons. It is a special type of microscope
with a high resolution of images as the images
can be magnified in nanometers.

There are two types of electron microscopes:

The transmission electron microscope (TEM)

The scanning electron microscope (SEM)

Principle of Electron Microscope

The metal used in an electron microscope is tungsten. A high voltage current is applied
which results in the excitation of the electrons in the form of a continuous stream that is
used as a beam of light. The lenses used in the electron microscope are magnetic coils.
These magnetic coils are capable of focusing the electron beam on the sample such
that the sample gets illuminated. As the flow of current increases, the strength of the
magnetic lens increases. The electron beam flow is designed such that it cannot pass
through the glass lens.

Application of Electron Microscope

Quality control and failure analysis in industries are done with the help of an electron
microscope. The images obtained in an electron microscope can be captured as
electron micrographs with the help of specialized cameras.
The study of metals and crystals became easy with the introduction of an electron
microscope.

Stereo Microscope
A stereo microscope is defined as a type of
microscope that provides a three-
dimensional view of a specimen. It is also
known as a dissecting microscope. In a
stereo microscope, there are separate
objective lenses and eyepiece such that
there are two separate optical paths for each
eye.

Principle of Stereo Microscope

A stereo microscope works on the reflected light from the sample. The magnification of
the microscope takes place at low power and hence, it is suitable for magnifying opaque
objects. It is suitable for thick and solid samples because it uses light reflected from the
sample. The magnification of the stereo microscope is between 20x and 50x.

Applications of Stereo Microscope

● Examination of historic coins and artifacts is possible with the help of the
stereomicroscope.
● It finds application in microsurgery.
● Viewing of crystals became easy with the use of a stereomicroscope.

Scanning Probe Microscope

The scanning probe microscope is defined
as the type of microscope that finds
applications in industries where the
examination of the specimen is done at the
nanoscale levels. The study of a
specimen’s properties, its reaction time and
its behavior when stimulated can be done
with the help of a scanning probe
microscope.
Principle of Scanning Probe Microscope
The scanning probe microscope has a probe tip that is mounted on the end of a
cantilever. The tip is so sharp that it can move precisely and accurately across the
surface of the sample scanning every atom. The tip is placed close to the surface of the
sample, such that the cantilever experiences a deflection due to forces. This deflection
distance is measured by the laser. The final image after scanning is obtained on the
computer.

Application of Scanning Probe Microscope

● It is used in studying different properties of the sample such as electrical
properties.
● The magnetic property of the sample is studied using this microscope.
● The transferring of information on the sample can be done with the help of this
microscope.

References:
https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=different+types+of+microscope&ie=UTF-
8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-ph&client=safari
https://byjus.com/physics/types-of-microscope/
https://www.microscopeworld.com/t-parts.aspx
 PARTS AND FUNCTIONS OF A MICROSCOPE

Eyepiece Lens: the lens at the top that you look through, usually 10x or 15x power.
Tube: Connects the eyepiece to the objective lenses.
Arm: Supports the tube and connects it to the base.
Base: The bottom of the microscope, used for support.

Illuminator: A steady light source (110 volts) used in place of a mirror. If your
microscope has a mirror, it is used to reflect light from an external light source up
through the bottom of the stage.

Stage with Stage Clips: The flat platform where you place your slides. Stage clips hold
the slides in place. If your microscope has a mechanical stage, you will be able to move
the slide around by turning two knobs. One moves it left and right, the other moves it up
and down.

Revolving Nosepiece or Turret: This is the part of the microscope that holds two or
more objective lenses and can be rotated to easily change power.

Objective Lenses: Usually you will find 3 or 4 objective lenses on a microscope. They
almost always consist of 4x, 10x, 40x and 100x powers. When coupled with a 10x (most
common) eyepiece lens, total magnification is 40x (4x times 10x), 100x , 400x and
1000x. To have good resolution at 1000x, you will need a relatively sophisticated
microscope with an Abbe condenser. An Abbe condenser is composed of two lenses
that control the light that passes through the specimen before entering the objective
lens on the microscope. The shortest lens is the lowest power, the longest one is the
lens with the greatest power. Lenses are color coded and if built to DIN standards are
interchangeable between microscopes. "DIN" is an abbreviation of "Deutsche Industrial
Normen". This is a German standard that has been adopted internationally as an optical
standard used in most quality microscopes. A typical DIN standard microscope
objective lens has a 0.7965" (20.1mm) diameter threads, 36 TPI (threads per inch), and
a 55º Whitworth. Many high power objective lenses are retractable (i.e. 40XR). This
means that if they hit a slide, the end of the lens will push in (spring loaded) thereby
protecting the lens and the slide. All good quality microscopes have achromatic,
parcentered, parfocal lenses.

Rack Stop: This is an adjustment that determines how close the objective lens can get
to the slide. It is set at the factory and keeps students from cranking the high power
objective lens down into the slide and breaking things. You would only need to adjust
this if you were using very thin slides and you weren't able to focus on the specimen at
high power. (Tip: If you are using thin slides and can't focus, rather than adjust the rack
stop, place a clear glass slide under the original slide to raise it a bit higher).

Condenser Lens: The purpose of the condenser lens is to focus the light onto the
specimen. Condenser lenses are most useful at the highest powers (400x and above).
Microscopes with in-stage condenser lenses render a sharper image than those with no
lens (at 400x). If your microscope has a maximum power of 400x, you will get the
maximum benefit by using condenser lenses rated at 0.65 NA or greater. 0.65 NA
condenser lenses may be mounted in the stage and work quite well. A big advantage to
a stage mounted lens is that there is one less focusing item to deal with. If you go to
1000x then you should have a condenser lens with an N.A. of 1.25 or greater. All of our
1000x microscopes use 1.25 Abbe condenser lens systems. The Abbe condenser lens
can be moved up and down. It is set very close to the slide at 1000x and moved further
away at the lower powers.

Diaphragm or Iris: Many microscopes have a rotating disk under the stage. This
diaphragm has different sized holes and is used to vary the intensity and size of the
cone of light that is projected upward into the slide. There is no set rule regarding which
setting to use for a particular power. Rather, the setting is a function of the transparency
of the specimen, the degree of contrast you desire and the particular objective lens in
use.