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SIMPLE MICROSCOPE
The simple microscope is generally considered to be the first microscope. It was
created in the 17th century by Antony van Leeuwenhoek, who combined a convex
lens with a holder for specimens. Magnifying between 200 and 300 times, it was
essentially a magnifying glass. While this microscope was simple, it was still powerful
enough to provide van Leeuwenhoek information about biological specimens,
including the difference in shapes between red blood cells.
COMPOUND MICROSCOPE
With two lenses, the compound microscope offers better magnification than a simple
microscope; the second lens magnifies the image of the first. Compound microscopes
are bright field microscopes, meaning that the specimen is lit from underneath, and they
can be binocular or monocular.
STEREO MICROSCOPE
The stereo microscope, also called a dissecting microscope, provides magnification
of up to 300 times. These binocular microscopes are used to look at opaque objects
or objects that are too large to be viewed with a compound microscope, since they
do not require a slide preparation. Although their magnification is relatively low,
they are still useful. They provide a close-up, 3-D view of objects surface textures,
and they allow the operator to manipulate the object during viewing.
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CONFOCAL MICROSCOPE
Unlike stereo and compound microscopes, which use regular light for image
formation, the confocal microscope uses a laser light to scan samples that have been
dyed. These samples are prepared on slides and inserted; then, with the aid of a
dichromatic mirror, the device produces a magnified image on a computer screen.
Operators can create 3-D images, as well, by assembling multiple scans.
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE (SEM)
The scanning electron microscope, or SEM, uses electrons rather than light for
image formation. Samples are scanned in vacuum or near-vacuum conditions, so
they must be specially prepared by first undergoing dehydration and then being
coated with a thin layer of a conducive material, such as gold. After the item is
prepared and placed in the chamber, the SEM produces a 3-D, black-and-white
image on a computer screen. Offering ample control over the amount of
magnification,
TWO
The simplest optical microscope is the magnifying glass and is good to
about ten times (10X) magnification. The compound microscope
has two systems of lenses for greater magnification, 1) the ocular, or
eyepiece lens that one looks into and 2) the objective lens, or the lens
closest to the object.