Types Of Microscopes

Microscopes are mechanical devices used for viewing objects and materials so minute in size that they are undetectable by the naked eye. The process conducted with such an instrument, called Microscopy, uses the combined schools of optical science and light reflection, controlled and manipulated through lenses, to study small objects at close range.

The basic microscope consists of several complex and interrelated parts: a cylinder that provides a necessary space of air between the ocular lens (eye piece) situated at the top and the objective lens fixed at the bottom, hovering close to a stage containing an optical assembly on a rotating arm and a centered hole through which a light shines from a solid U-shaped stand beneath. Magnifying values for the ocular range through X5, X10, to X20, while the values for the objective lens has a broader span: X5, X10, X20, X40, X80, and X100. These values provide the observer with a spectrum of possible distance orientations and degrees of sharpness as are necessary for viewing and analysis.

The types of microscopes are:

1. Compound Microscopes
A Compound Microscope is a microscope that consists essentially of two or more double convex lenses fixed in the two extremities of a hollow cylinder. The upper lens is the eyepiece and the lower lines in the objective. The cylinder is mounted upright on a screw device that permits it to be raised or lowered until the object is in focus and until a clear image is formed.

When an object is in focus, a real inverted image is formed by the lower lens at a point inside the principal focus of the upper lens. This image serves as an object for the upper lens that produces another image larger still and visible to the eye of the observer.

2. Stereo Microscopes
A Stereo Microscope is a lower powered microscope instrument that features a large stage for closer viewing of the non-microscopic world. This microscope makes tiny objects gigantic. It is known as a dissecting microscope. This microscope is also known as the Dissecting Microscope, and uses two separate optical shafts (for both eyes) to create a three-dimensional image of the object through two slightly different viewpoints. This kind of microscope conducts microsurgery, dissection, watch-making, small circuit board manufacturing, etc.

With stereo microscopes, tiny things became large, in layman's terms, the flaws in gemstones and coins become obvious. There are inexpensive models that are available for children and students. The stereo microscopes provides zoom, improved optics and enhanced lighting that meet the demand of professional use.

3. Electron Microscopes
Electron Microscopes are those microscopes that use electrons rather than visible light to produce images. Electron microscopes can magnify very small detail with high resolving power. This kind of microscope employs electron waves running parallel to a magnetic field providing higher resolution. Two Electron Microscopes are the Scanning Electron Microscope and the Transmission Electron Microscope.

This was invented by a German physicist Ernst Ruska. After Ruska introduced his invention to the world, the electron microscopes have evolved into something that is very distinct and advanced as a vital tool in the medical world today.

4. Digital Microscopes
The Digital Microscope is the newest innovation of microscopy that uses a digital camera in imaging. It utilizes USB technology to produce live image viewable on a computer monitor.

It makes use of an inverted lens design so specimens of variable sizes and shapes can be viewed with little or no preparation and a rotatable lamp that enables the illumination of opaque specimens by reflected light.

5. Video Microscopes
A Video Microscope is like a digital microscope. It is being powered through the use of video and digital cameras with many features that are specifically designed to suit microscopy.

The video and cameras used in video microscopes offer high resolutions coupled with high sensitivity. All are designed for broad range of imaging applications. They are designed to excel at rapid acquisition of low-light level fluorescence images.

6. Scanning Probe Microscopes
This kind of microscope measures interaction between a physical probe and a sample to form a micrograph. Only surface data can be collected and analyzed from the sample. Types of Scanning Probe Microscopes include the Atomic Force Microscope, the Scanning Tunneling Microscope, the Electric Force Microscope, and the Magnetic Force Microscope.

For instance, the scanning tunnelling microscopes are instruments used in scanning probe microscopy. It can view very small images of any conductive surface and can inspect an area as small as 2 x 10-10 m or 0.2 nanometer. Using its tip, it can alter the material being investigated by manipulating its atoms. This tip is connected to a scanner, a positioning device then a computer where the data is transmitted.

The scanning tunnelling microscope allows a scientist to visualize areas of high electron density, consequently letting them understand the position of individual atoms, where before most could only give an educated guess.

7. Confocal Microscopy
Confocal Microscopy is a great tool used to get high-resolution images and restructured to create a 3 dimensional image of the scanned object. They are able to provide smooth and clear smudge free images with different depths then reconstructed to give an in-depth picture. A computer is used in this process allowing for a faster and easier image production. The use of lasers in later models allowed for it to be extremely accurate.

8. Optical Microscope
This is the first ever created. The optical microscope has one or two lenses that work to enlarge and enhance images placed between the lower-most lens and the light source.

9. Simple Optical Microscope
This uses one lens, the convex lens, in the magnifying process. This kind of microscope was used by Anton Van Leeuwenhoek during the late-sixteen and early-seventeenth centuries, around the time that the microscope was invented.

10. Petrographic Microscope
This kind of microscope features a polarizing filter, a rotating stage, and gypsum plate. Petrographic Microscopes specialize in the study of inorganic substances whose properties tend to alter through shifting perspective.

11. Pocket Microscope
This kind of microscope consists of a single shaft with an eye piece at one end and an adjustable objective lens at the other. This old-style microscope has a case for easy carry.

Science wouldn't be what it is today without the microscope, as this device is the primary instrument by which the world and all of its elements are measured and assessed. It is with the microscope that we take a look inside of ourselves so we can learn and understand who we are and how we work.