Types of Microscope

Optical Microscopes

• Compound Microscopes
A compound microscope works by illuminating
the slide from underneath with a light bulb.
The specimen is then magnified by a series of
lenses, one near the slide (called the
objective lens) and one near the top (called
the eyepiece).
• Compound microscope parts vary per design, but
are usually pretty standard. This makes them easy
for anyone to learn and use.
• Other advantages of compound microscopes are
that they can go up to a high magnification and
are affordable for amateurs, students, and
scientists.
•A disadvantage is that they have
a lower resolution, so your image
will never be as crisp and sharp
as some more advanced types of
microscopes.
• Stereo Microscopes
A stereo microscope differs from
a compound microscope in a few
key features. The most critical
difference you may notice is
that it has two eyepieces
instead of one.
 •The purpose of the stereo
microscope is to produce a three-
dimensional image, hence the two
eyepieces that send a different
image to the right and left eye.
•The specimen is usually lit from
above, rather than underneath. This
makes the stereo microscope ideal for
dissection, inspection, circuit board
work, manufacturing, or use with any
opaque specimen.
Confocal Microscopes
• Unlike stereo and compound
microscopes, the visible light
source comes from a laser. The
laser scans the sample with the
help of a series of scanning mirrors,
assembles the image in a computer,
and displays the image on a screen.
No eyepieces here.
•Create a three-dimensional image from
a selected depth of the specimen. So
you can examine interior structures of
a non-opaque specimen, or look at the
surface of an opaque specimen as deep
as the laser light can penetrate.
 Electron Microscopes
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
• A SEM sends a beam of focused
electrons to the sample, which
bounce off to create a three-
dimensional surface image. With this
method, you can create a picture
with high magnification and high
resolution, but it will always be an
exterior view.
Transmission Electron Microscope
(TEM)
• A TEM works by sending the beam
of electrons through a very thin
specimen. So rather than
scanning over and bouncing off,
the electrons pass through the
sample to create a highly
detailed two-dimensional image.
Reference:

• https://www.microscope-detective.com/types-of-
microscopes.html#other