Laboratory Report No.

1
The Different Types of Microscopes
Submitted by: John Michael L. Morante
BSEd Science III
Eastern Samar State University – Salcedo Campus
[email protected]

Submitted to: Rica C. Elacion

Assistant Professor
Eastern Samar State University – Salcedo Campus
[email protected]

Date Submitted: January 17, 2024

microorganisms he termed "animalcules" under

his microscopes (I).
The tool used to magnify small objects
is called a microscope. Even at the cellular
level, certain microscopes enable researchers to
TYPES OF MICROSCOPES
view an object's structure, including its nucleus,
mitochondria, and other organelles. Even though There are various kinds of microscopes,
a modern microscope has a lot of parts, its lenses and each one has a unique application. While
are the most crucial ones. An object's image can some are used in educational institutions, others
be enlarged and examined in detail using the are appropriate for biological applications.
microscope's lenses. An elementary light Certain types of microscopes are also used in
microscope modifies the way light enters the eye metallurgy and in the study of three-dimensional
by means of a convex lens, which has an samples (II).
outward curvature on both sides. The light bends
in the direction of the eye as it travels through There are 5 such microscope types that
the lens after reflecting off of an object under a are discussed along with their diagram, working
microscope. As a result, the object appears principle and applications. These five types of
larger. microscopes are: Simple microscope (1),
Compound microscope (2), Electron microscope
Technological advancements have (3), Stereomicroscope (4), and Scanning probe
improved the quality of the images produced by microscope (5).
the microscope and made it easier to use
throughout its history. The Dutch spectacle A simple microscope is characterized as
makers Zacharias and Hans Jansen created the one that magnifies a sample using just one lens.
compound microscope in 1590. It has at least A convex lens with a short focal length serves as
two lenses. Furthermore, Antoine Van a basic microscope. The basic microscope's
Leeuwenhoek, a Dutchman, made some of the magnification is stated as:
first microscopes. The tiny glass ball that D
Leeuwenhoek used in his microscopes was m=1+
F
enclosed in a metal frame. He gained notoriety
for studying freshwater, single-celled Where, D is the least distinct vision and
F is the focal length of the convex lens.
 Figure 1. Diagram of a simple microscope Figure 2. Diagram of a compound microscope
A simple microscope works on the basis The compound microscope's operating
that an erect, virtual image is magnified and principle is that the sample's magnification is
obtained at the closest distance of distinct vision increased by the combination of lenses. The
from the eye held at the lens when a sample is sample is seen twice: once in the tube as a
placed within the microscope's focus. primary image and once more through the
eyepiece.
Simple microscopes’ application is
common among the watchmakers as they can Compound microscopes are commonly
view a magnified image of the smallest parts. It used in the study of bacteria and viruses. It is
is also used by the jewelers for obtaining a also applicable in forensic laboratories. And it is
magnified image of the fine parts of the jewelry. also used in metallurgy.
Most educational institutions such as schools
and colleges use a simple microscope in their An electron microscope is a particular
laboratories. And dermatologists (skin kind of microscope where the electron beam that
specialists) use simple microscopes to identify accelerates is the source of light. Because it is a
different skin diseases. unique kind of microscope that can magnify
images to nanometers, it has very high-
A compound microscope is resolution images.
characterized by the presence of multiple lenses.
It is composed of two optical components, an There are two types of electron
eyepiece or ocular lens and an objective lens. microscopes: Transmission Electron
The compound microscope's magnification is as Microscope (TEM), and the Scanning Electron
follows: Microscope (SEM).
Transmission electron microscopes
D L
m= × (TEMs) produce images that are greatly
fo fe
magnified by using an electron particle beam to
Where, D is the least distinct vision, L view specimens. Up to a million times
is the length of the microscope tube, f o is the magnification is possible with TEMs. Consider
how tiny a cell is to gain a better understanding
focal length of the objective lens, and f e is the
of how tiny that is. It makes sense that TEMs are
focal length of the eyepiece. now so valuable in the fields of biology and
medicine.
 A concentrated beam of high-energy
electrons is used by the scanning electron
microscope (SEM) to produce a range of signals
at the surface of solid objects. Information about
the sample, such as its external morphology
(texture), chemical composition, and the
orientation and crystalline structure of the
materials that make up the sample, can be found
in the signals that result from electron-sample
interactions.

presence of separate objective lenses and an

eyepiece.

Figure 4. Diagram of a stereo microscope.

The reflected light from the sample is
what a stereo microscope uses to operate. The
low power of the microscope's magnification
makes it appropriate for enlarging opaque
Figure 3. Diagram of electron microscopes. objects. Because it makes use of light reflected
Tungsten is the metal found in electron from the sample, it works well with thick and
microscopes. When a high voltage current is solid samples. The stereo microscope has a
applied, the electrons are excited and create a magnification of 20–50 times.
continuous stream that is used as a light beam. The stereomicroscope makes it possible
Magnetic coils are used as lenses in electron to examine ancient coins and artifacts. It is used
microscopes. These magnetic coils have the in the field of microsurgery. Using a
ability to concentrate the electron beam so that it stereomicroscope made it simple to view
illuminates the sample. The magnetic lens crystals.
becomes stronger as the current flow increases.
Because of the way the electron beam is made, it A scanning probe microscope is a type
is unable to flow through the glass lens. of microscope used in industries where
specimens are examined at nanoscale levels.
An electron microscope is used in With the aid of a scanning probe microscope,
industry for quality control and failure analysis.
With the aid of specialized cameras, images
obtained with an electron microscope can be
recorded as electron micrographs. With the
invention of the electron microscope, studying
metals and crystals became easy.
A stereo microscope is characterized as
a kind of microscope that shows a specimen in
three dimensions. Another name for it is a
dissecting microscope. A stereo microscope has characteristics, response time, and behavior
two distinct optical paths for each eye due to the upon stimulation of a specimen can be studied.
 Figure 5. Diagram of a scanning probe microsc electron ly high for ultra-
microscope. ope beams magnifi small
instead of cation, structures,
A scanning probe microscope is a type light for reaching such as
of microscope used in industries where higher up to 50 nanomater
specimens are examined at nanoscale levels. resolution million ials or
With the aid of a scanning probe microscope, and times or individual
characteristics, response time, and behavior detailed more. molecules.
upon stimulation of a specimen can be studied. imaging.
Stereom Provides Lower Ideal for
A scanning probe microscope is used to icroscop a magnifi examining
examine a sample's various characteristics, e stereosco cation larger
including its electrical properties. With the aid of pic (3D) compare specimens
this microscope, the sample's magnetic view d to with
properties are investigated. This microscope can using compou depth,
assist in the transfer of information about the separate nd commonly
sample. optical microsc used in
paths for opes, dissection
COMPARISON each eye. typically and
up to assembly.
A wide variety of tools with specialized 100x.
uses is used in microscopy, an essential tool for Scannin Uses a Varies, Essential
scientific study. Everything from the most g probe sharp but can for
sophisticated electron microscopes to the most microsc probe to achieve nanotechn
basic yet educational simple microscopes offer ope scan the atomic- ology and
unique advantages in terms of application, surface, scale studying
magnification, and image formation. creating a resolutio surface
detailed n. structures
Microsc Image Magnifi Usage map of at the
ope Formatio cation the atomic
n specimen. level.
Simple Uses a Limited Suitable Table 1. Tabular comparison of the different
microsc single magnifi for types of microscopes.
ope lens to cation, observing
magnify typically small, CONCLUSION
the up to transparent
specimen 300x. objects; In conclusion, the realm of microscopes
directly. Commonl spans a spectrum of instruments, each playing a
y used in pivotal role in scientific investigation. The
educationa simple microscope, employing a single lens,
l settings. serves as an educational cornerstone with
Compou Employs Higher Widely limited magnification. Compound microscopes,
nd multiple magnifi used in utilizing multiple lenses, provide detailed 3D
microsc lenses to cation, biology images crucial for biological studies. Electron
ope magnify often up and microscopes, with their electron beam
the to medicine technology, achieve unparalleled magnification,
specimen; 1000x for unveiling the intricacies of nanoscale structures.
Produces or more. studying Stereomicroscopes offer a three-dimensional
a detailed, cells and
perspective, ideal for dissecting and assembling
3D image. tissues.
larger specimens. Lastly, scanning probe
Electron Utilizes Extreme Essential
microscopes, using sharp probes, delve into the 6) Brown, T.A. (2019). Biotechnology for
atomic realm, contributing significantly to Beginners. Academic Press.
nanotechnology. 7) Alberts, B., et. al. (2014). Molecular
Biology of the Cell. Garland Science.
Defined by their working principles and
8) Kardong, K. V. (2018). Vertebrates:
tailored for specific applications, these
Comparative Anatomy, Function,
microscopes collectively expand our
Evolution. McGraw-Hill Education.
understanding of the microscopic world. From
9) Giessibl, F. J. (2019). Advances in
unraveling the complexities of cellular structures
Atomic Force Microscopy. Revies of
to exploring nanoscale landscapes, these
Modern Physics, 71(1), 147-211.
instruments empower researchers with diverse
tools for scientific inquiry. As technology
advances, the synergy between these microscope
types continues to propel discoveries, driving
progress across various scientific disciplines.

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