Types of microscopes and their feature

A well-known device - a microscope, used to increase the image of the object of study. In General, such elements can not be seen with the naked eye, because the microscope helps to get an image magnified thousands of times. Popular areas of use of microscopes are medicine and laboratory research. The devices help to examine dangerous microorganisms and determine the diagnosis.

Who invented the microscope and when?

The microscope originates in 1538, from a similar device created in Italy, by the doctor Girolamo Fracastoro. He installed two glasses of the optical lens in series, which gave an excellent magnification. Further, many scientists from all over the world worked on improving the device.

The main parts of the microscope and their features

Today, different variations of microscopes are already produced, but they all have a similar design. Microscopes consist of:

1. Lens. This is a complex system based on rows of optical lenses. The lens tube can be formed from 14 lenses that transmit the image to each other. All of them are fixed at the right distance in the tube, and shifting the lenses will just ruin the image;
2. Eyepiece. This is also a lens, in the amount of two pieces, which the operator directly looks at. Closer to it-the eye, further - the field lens. The second allows you to adjust the image magnified by the lens for maximum perception and focus of vision;
3. Lighting system. Since natural light does not fall on the image under the lens, illumination is necessary. These can be options for lighting from a conventional lamp, LEDs, in budget devices, the light supply is from the external environment and is adjusted to the image using mirrors;
4. Subject table. A simple, but no less important element that is used to secure the object under the lens.

Types of microscopes: main characteristics

Nowadays, these types of microscopes are most often used:

1. Optical device. A low-cost and simple solution that magnifies the image two thousand times. It can be used to study the structure of cells, tissue surfaces, and the appearance of defects on artificial materials. To maximize the use of high-quality devices, which of course will cost more. Low-cost models have lower magnification rates, simple construction, and medium-quality materials. Often such microscopes can be found in educational institutions. The device consists of several lenses with different multiplicities, which can be changed if necessary, but there is no ultra-precise adjustment of this indicator;
2. Electronic device. An improved version, with an acceptable magnification of about 20 thousand times. The main difference is that instead of light rays, a beam of directed electrons is used. For high-quality images, special magnetic lenses are used in the design, with the property of reacting to the movement of electrons. The accuracy is regulated by the magnetic field. Recently, electron microscopes have been connected to computer equipment, which has allowed to improve the result of multiplicity of magnification, the width of settings, and save the image. Among the disadvantages of this option is the high cost of the device and special working conditions. So, for maximum clarity, it is necessary to place the object of study in a vacuum, to avoid scattering of electrons by air. Other magnetic fields should also be avoided when working. For the operation of such a microscope in the fields of medicine, biology, and industry, special, isolated rooms are used;
3. Scanning probe microscope. It is distinguished by the use of a special probe, which produces three-dimensional images with accurate data about the object. So, the probe in this device replaces the lens and gives a high resolution. The element can be moved, and the result is fixed, with the final result getting a typographic picture of the enlarged object. The probe has sensitive sensors whose main task is to respond to the direction of electrons. But there are models with probes that are equipped with optical lenses. The result of the study has a 3D form, which is sometimes difficult to decipher;
4. Microscope-x-ray. This is a laboratory device that studies objects with the size of x-ray wave lengths. According to the efficiency of the final result, these devices are located in the middle between optical and electron microscopes. The object is read using rays, and sensors detect their refractions to get an image. The use of x-rays is quite effective, because you can not only study the structure of the object, but also its chemical composition. Most often used for the study of thin coatings, analysis of various mixtures of metal, in the field of biology and botany.

Modern equipment will allow you to get the most accurate result, and the choice