Types of Microscope and their uses
A microscope is a tool that creates small objects into enlarged images, allowing the viewer an exceptionally close picture of tiny structures that can quickly examine and analyzes.
Microscopes can even be used to observe an object at the cellular level, allowing scientists to see the shape of a cell, nucleus, mitochondria, and other organelles.
Over the course, technological innovations have made the microscope easier to use and have improved the quality of the images produced.
Usage of the Microscope
Microscopy is used in many fields, and microscopes are useful for different types of imaging. These tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Fluorescence imaging
- Cell imaging
- 3D imaging
- Live cell imaging
- Tissue imaging
- Clinical laboratory imaging
According to microscopecrew.com, there are different types available and what you can see with these microscopes’ help.
Uses of Compound Light Microscope
The compound light microscope is popular among botanists for studying the following things:
The botanists can view the following:
- Bacteria
- Chromosomes
- Parasites
- Plant cells,
- Human cells
- Animal cells.
- Negative stained bacteria
- Metazoans
- Smears
- Organelles
- Blood
- Thick tissue sections
It can be used in forensic labs for identifying drug structures.
Types of the Microscope
The Stereo Microscope
The Stereomicroscope is also known as a dissecting microscope. It has two optical paths at slightly different angles allowing the image to be viewed three-dimensionally under the lenses.
This microscope allows you to work on the following things:
- Surfaces
- Microsurgery
- Watchmaking
- Circuit boards inspecting
- Manufacturing
The Digital Microscope
The digital microscope enters a world of astonishing detail, the computer’s power to view objects not visible to the naked eye.
An advantage of digital microscopes is the ability to email images and comfortably watch moving images for long periods.
The Acoustic Microscope
The Acoustic Microscope is more about finding faults, cracks, or errors from samples during the manufacturing process.
With the use of high ultrasound, this type of microscope is the easiest intra-cavity imaging tool available.
Scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) is the current type of acoustic microscopy.
SAM can view internal structures; it can pick up on sub-micron features, such as:
- Popcorn cracking
- Images that x-ray would not be able to detect.
- Ability to measure the depth of internal layers,
- Check direct ceramic bond for delaminating
- Maintain sample quality of hermetically sealed items
- Evaluating the purity of flip-chip under fill.
Pocket Microscope
The pocket microscope is small, but its abilities are impressive.
Scientists use it for hand-held imaging of various specimens/objects in the field or the laboratory.
Applications include use by emergency medical technicians, trauma and emergency room practitioners, field study by scientists, and hobbyists.
Electron Microscope
For viewing of objects smaller than 0.2 microns, that is where electrons come into play. Electrons can be used to image even smaller objects and can be used even to view atomic planes in crystalline materials.
Some kinds of Electron Microscope
- Transmission electron microscopy: you can see fragile samples (< 100 nm).
- Scanning electron microscopy: This can be used to image bulkier samples.
- Atomic force microscope: Can be used for surface information such as surface roughness.
- Focused ion beam (FIB) microscopes: it is used to deposition and ablation materials at the micron scale.
There are many different types of microscope available which support professional in various sectors:
It helps us see tiny objects that we cannot see through our necked eyes, and it is very commonly used for medical and scientific purposes. A scientist observes small items in detail to learn more about their structures. They examine tissues, blood samples, fibers, viruses, and many more.