Different types of microscopes

By :- Veer Singh

Optical microscopes

These microscopes use visible light (or UV light in the case of fluorescence microscopy) to make an image. The light is refracted with optical lenses. The first microscopes that were invented belong to this category.

X-ray microscopes

As the name suggests, these microscopes use a beam of x-rays to create an image. Due to the small wavelength, the image resolution is higher than in optical microscopes. The maximum useful magnification is therefore also higher and is between the optical microscopes and electron microscopes. One advantage of x-ray microscopes over electron microscopes is, that it is possible to observe living cells.

Scanning acoustic microscope (SAM)

These devices use focused sound waves to generate an image. They are used in materials science to detect small cracks or tensions in materials. SAMs can also be used in biology where they help to uncover tensions, stress and elasticity inside biological structure.

Scanning Helium Ion Microscope (SHIM or

HeIM)

As the name suggests, these devices use a beam of Helium ions to generate an image. There are several advantages to electron microscopes, one being that the sample is left mostly intact (due to the low energy requirements) and that it provides a high resolution. It is a relatively new technology and the first commercial systems were released in 2007.

Neutron Microscope

These microscopes are still in an experimental stage. They have a high resolution and may offer better contrast than other forms of microscopy.

Electron Microscopes

Modern electron microscopes can magnify up to 2 million times. This is possible, because the wavelength of high energy electrons is very small. At the same time, the high energy electrons are pretty tough on the sample being observed. It may take a long time to completely dehydrate and prepare the specimen. Some biological specimens also need to be coated with a very thin layer of a metal before they can be observed.

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