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. They provide a close-up, 3-D view of objects’
surface textures, and they allow the operator to manipulate
the object during viewing.Stereo microscopes are used in
biological and medical science applications as well as in the
electronics industry.

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. They are commonly
used in cell biology and medical applications.

SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE

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. SEM produces a 3-D, black-and-white image on
a computer screen.SEMs are used by researchers in the
physical, medical and biological sciences to examine a range
of specimens from insects to bones.

TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPE

The transmission electron microscope (TEM) uses
electrons in creating a magnified image, and samples are
scanned in a vacuum so they must be specially prepared.
Unlike the SEM, however, the TEM uses a slide preparation
to obtain a 2-D view of specimens, so its more suited for
viewing objects with some degrees of transparency. It is
useful in the physical and biological sciences, metallurgy,
nanotechnology and forensic analysis.

FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPE
Microscopes can be used to view different aspects of
a sample by varying how an image is created. Fluorescence
microscopes use specific colors of light to interact with dyes.
As the dyes become illuminated, certain structures can be
isolated and viewed with their respective dyes. This type of
microscope is useful to observe specific proteins within a cell.
A camera is usually attached to capture images from the
microscope.