Industries Information

Microscopes are instruments that magnify images of small objects using lenses as the locus of magnification.  Specialty microscopes are different from garden-variety microscopes in that they are designed for specific applications, or they use specialized techniques or technologies to produce magnification.

Specialty microscopes application types include life sciences, gemology and metallurgical microscopes, toolmaking, forensics, and semiconductor inspection. Specialty microscopes for biological and life sciences applications include those that transmit light or environmental scanning electron microscopes (SEM).  Gemological microscopes use polarized light with lower magnifying powers to allow for brighter, sharper images combined with a wide field of view. Tool making specialty microscopes are often used for dimensional measurement with lower magnifying powers to allow for brighter, sharper images combined with a wide field of view.  Forensic microscopes are often hands-free, binocular microscopes with lower magnifying powers to allow for brighter, sharper images combined with a wide field of view.  Metallurgical microscopes are often inverted for viewing the bottom of a sample with lower magnifying powers to allow for brighter, sharper images combined with a wide field of view. Semiconductor inspection specialty microscopes used to study the layers in a semiconductor wafer or fabricated IC components.  This inspection type calls for greater precision and throughput.

Some specialty microscopes are differentiated by their methods of producing magnification.  Some of the more common microscope types include acoustic and ultrasonic, microwave, portable field, scanning probe and atomic force types, and laser or confocal specialty microscopes. Acoustic and ultrasonic microscopes use sound waves to create images of the sample.  These types of microscopes can be used to examine delimitations, cracks and other anomalies nondestructively.  Microwave microscopes use electromagnetic radiation, which has a long wavelength (between 1 mm and 30 cm), to study specimens. Portable field specialty microscopes are designed for use outside of the laboratory setting.  They may have a portable energy source, such as a battery, or they may use natural light for illumination.  These microscopes are generally lightweight and handheld.

Scanning probe and atomic force (SPM / AFM) microscopes are used to study surface features by moving a sharp probe over the object’s surface (e.g., the scanning tunneling microscope).  Atomic force microscopes enable the user to image the topography of a sample, and to monitor simultaneously ultrasonic surface vibrations in the MHz range. For detection of the distribution of the ultrasonic vibration amplitude, a part of the position-sensing light beam reflected from the cantilever is directed to an external knife-edge detector.

Confocal specialty microscopes or laser microscopes use laser light to image one plane of a specimen at a time.

Optical and light microscopes use the visible or near-visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to magnify images of objects. There are two basic types of devices. Stereomicroscopes use two light paths for three-dimensional (3D) viewing. They provide high depth perception, low resolution, and low magnification. Some devices include a built-in light source and zoom capabilities. Compound microscopes are optical and light microscopes that use a single light path. Both monocular and binocular versions are available. Typically, compound microscopes are used for viewing very small specimens such as cells, pond life samples, and other microscopic life forms. They have low depth perception, but high resolution and magnification.

There are three grades of optical and light microscopes: student, benchtop, and research. Student microscopes are the smallest and least expensive type of device. They are capable of advanced techniques and are designed for bright field, dark field, and phase contrast examinations. Benchtop microscopes provide a range of examination techniques, but can perform only a few methods at one time. Research microscopes are large devices that weigh between 30 kg and 50 kg and contain complex optical, mechanical, and electronics systems. These devices include multiple cameras and can perform the widest range of simultaneous examinations. Many research microscopes contain built-in computers that control the cameras and functions such as focus management and image processing.

Selecting optical and light microscopes requires an analysis of performance specifications and features. Performance specifications include total magnification, resolution, field of view, working distance, and number of objective lenses. Some optical and light microscopes can be controlled or monitored via a computer interface. Others include a digital display or application software for analyzing images. Devices that are equipped with mechanical stages can hold specimen slides firmly in place or allow the rotation of slides. Spring loaded front lenses prevent damage to objects that are driven accidentally onto the surfaces of slides. Oil immersion lenses are sealed and designed for immersion in an oil-based medium. Optical and light microscopes with a variable working distance allow the imaging of specimens through glass cover slips of variable thickness.   

Optical and light microscopes differ in terms of eyepiece style. Monocular eyepieces have only one objective and one body tube. Binocular microscopes are fitted with double eyepieces to reduce user eyestrain and muscular fatigue, problems that may result from high-power monocular microscopy. Dual head microscopes include a vertical eyepiece lens and an eyepiece angled at 45° on the side. They allow two users to view a sample at the same time. Trinocular microscopes have a vertical tube at the top and regular binocular eyepieces at 30°. Typically, the vertical tube is used by a digital camera or a second observer.   

There are many applications for optical and light microscopes. Biological and life science microscopes transmit light or use environmental scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Gemological devices use polarized light with lower magnifying powers to produce sharp, bright images in a wide field of view. Measuring microscopes are used to measure the dimensional properties of tools and provide lower magnifying powers to allow for brighter, sharper images combined with a wide field of view. Medical and forensic microscopes are usually hands-free and binocular. Some optical and light microscopes are used to examine the layers in semiconductor wafers and fabricated integrated circuit (IC) components. These devices provide superior precision and throughput.

Microscopes are instruments that are capable of producing a magnified image of a small object.  They are used in many applications in the scientific and industrial arenas.  Common applications include manufacturing inspection, high-technology quality control in areas such as semiconductor processing, medical imaging, cell research, and metallurgical analysis.  Microscopes are supplied in one of three common configurations, student, benchtop and research.

There are many types of microscopes available including acoustic or ultrasonic, compound, fluorescent or ultraviolet, inverted, laser or confocal, polarizing, portable field, scanning electron microscope (SEM), scanning force or atomic probe microscope (SFM/AFM), stereoscopes and transmission electron microscopes.

Acoustic and ultrasonic microscopes use sound waves to create images of the sample.

Compound microscopes use a single light path. They can either have a single eyepiece (monocular) or a dual eyepiece (binocular). Compound microscopes have low depth perception but high resolution and magnification.

Fluorescent and UV microscopes use high-energy, short-wavelength light (usually ultraviolet) to excite electrons within certain molecules inside a specimen, causing those electrons to shift to higher orbits. When they fall back to their original energy levels, they emit lower-energy, longer-wavelength light (usually in the visible spectrum), which forms the image.

An inverted microscope has the illumination system above the stage and the lens system below the stage.

A confocal microscope or laser microscope uses a laser to light image one plane of a specimen at a time.

The polarized light microscope uses two polarizers, one on either side of the specimen, positioned perpendicular to each other so that only light that passes through the specimen reaches the eyepiece. Light is polarized in one plane as it passes through the first filter and reaches the specimen. Regularly spaced, patterned, or crystalline portions of the specimen rotate the light that passes through. Some of this rotated light passes through the second polarizing filter, so these regularly spaced areas show up bright against a black background.

A portable field microscope is designed for use outside of a laboratory setting.  It may have a portable energy source, such as a battery, or it may use natural light for illumination.

An electron microscope in which the image is formed by a detector synchronized with a focused electron beam scanning the object. The intensity of the image-forming beam is proportional to the back scattered or secondary emission of the specimen where the probe strikes it.  The magnification is controlled by the length or area scanned.

Scanning probe and atomic force (SPM / AFM) microscopes are used to study surface features by moving a sharp probe over the object’s surface (e.g., the scanning tunneling microscope).  Atomic force microscopes enable the user to image the topography of a sample, and to monitor simultaneously ultrasonic surface vibrations in the MHz range. For detection of the distribution of the ultrasonic vibration amplitude, a part of the position-sensing light beam reflected from the cantilever is directed to an external knife-edge detector.

A stereomicroscope, or stereoscope, uses two different paths of light. This allows you to see a specimen in 3-D. Stereomicroscopes have high depth perception but low resolution and magnification. The best models have a built-in light source and zoom capabilities.

Transmission electron microscopes (TEM) pass image-forming rays through the specimen being observed.  Contrast or diffracted beam images are used to analyze the sample.

Important parameters in specifying microscopes include total magnification and resolution.  Microscopes can come in one of many types of eyepiece styles.  These include monocular, binocular, trinocular or dual head.  Important features in specifying microscopes include a digital display, mechanical stages, oil immersion lenses, fine focus, computer interfaces, and image analysis processing software.

Microscope stages are platforms where specimens are placed for observation with a microscope. They are often equipped with a mechanical device which holds the specimen slide in place, but allows the back-and-forth and side-to-side movement of the slide. There are many different types of microscope stages. Examples include automated, manual, motorized, rotary, and Z-axis stages. The motion and operation of an automated stage is controlled from a personal computer (PC) or other control system. By contrast, manual stages are adjusted by hand. Motorized stages such as scanning stages have a motorized drive system to move the slide. Scanning stages can be designed to hold one slide or multiple slides, allowing the user to examine numerous samples without changing slides on the microscope stage and refocusing the lens. Rotating or rotary stages are round platforms that can rotate 360 degrees, and typically come with a measurement scale printed on the edge. Z-axis stages allow adjustments to the distance from the microscope to the stage surface.

Microscope stages differ in terms of travel, lighting, and features. Maximum X-distance is the greatest distance that stages can travel in the X direction. Maximum Y-distance is the greatest distance that stages can travel in the Y direction. Minimum step size or resolution is the smallest amount by which a microscope stage can be adjusted. There are two lighting styles for microscope stages: reflected and transmitted. Reflected light comes from the microscope or other light source above the stage. Transmitted light originates within the stage or from below the stage. In terms of features, microscope slides may be cleanroom-compatible, graduated, programmable, or temperature-controlled. Graduated stages or measuring stages are equipped with hardware and/or software to allow the user to take or make measurements of the specimen.

Most microscope stages are used with glass microscope slides and covers. Some microscopes use a special printed microscope slide. A microscope printed slide is specially-treated with substances to allow for easier slide preparation. For example, printed slides for biological applications may be treated with bonding substances that encourage cells to adhere to the slide. Printed microscope slides also feature printed grids or arrays, typically using a hydrophobic ink to ensure that the ink doesn’t react with the water or solution from the specimen. Another type of microscope slide is a prepared microscope slide. Prepared microscope slides contain specimens already treated and mounted on the slides. Many biological supply companies produce these slides for students to help them learn how to use a microscope and begin to recognize specific organisms. Prepared microscope slides can feature botanical specimens, stained biological cells, or cross-sections of microorganisms. Microscope stage incubators may also be available from companies that sell microscope stages.

Metallurgical microscopes are used for metallurgical inspection including metals, ceramics and other materials.  A microscope is an instrument capable of producing a magnified image of a small object.  The most common configurations of metallurgical microscopes are student, benchtop and research.  Student microscopes are the smallest and least expensive type of microscope. They are capable of advanced techniques and documentation even though they are for student use. Benchtop microscopes are used in various industries like textiles and animal husbandry.  Benchtop microscopes can do many techniques but are limited by the amount of techniques they can be used for at one time.  Research microscopes are large, weighing in the range of 30Kg to 50 Kg. This mass is composed of complex optical, mechanical, and electronic systems. They may use multiple cameras, large specimens, and the widest range of simultaneous techniques.

Metallurgical microscopes can be one of many types of technologies.  The most common metallurgical microscopes are acoustic or ultrasonic microscopes which can be used to examine delimitations, cracks and other anomalies nondestructively and inverted microscopes which are useful for flat polished metallurgical, ceramic, or optical samples.  Other technologies include microwave microscopes, compound microscopes, fluorescent microscopes, laser or confocal microscopes, polarizing microscopes, portable field microscopes, scanning electron (SEM) microscopes, scanning probe or atomic force microscopes (SPM / AFM), stereoscopes and transmission electron microscopes (TEM).

Important parameters in specifying metallurgical microscopes include total magnification and resolution.  Total magnification is a ratio of the size of an image to its corresponding object. This is usually determined by linear measurement.  Resolution is the fineness of detail in an object that is revealed by an optical device. Objectively, resolution is specified as the minimum distance between two lines or points in the object that are perceived as separate by the human eye. Subjectively, the images of the two resolved points must fall on two receptors (rods or cones), which are separated by at least one other receptor on the retina of the eye.

Metallurgical microscopes can come in one of many types of eyepiece styles.  These include monocular, binocular, trinocular or dual head.  A monocular eyepiece has one objective and one body tube for monocular vision.  Binocular microscopes are fitted with double eyepieces for vision with both eyes. The purpose in dividing the same image from a single objective of the usual compound microscope is to reduce eyestrain and muscular fatigue, which may result from monocular, high-power microscopy.  These types of microscopes are also used for stereoscopic vision, which allows for depth perception of the sample.  Trinocular microscopes are fitted with a vertical tube at the top and regular binocular eyepieces at 30 degrees.  The vertical tube is often used for a digital camera or a second observer.  A dual head has one vertical eyepiece lens and a second eyepiece off the side at 45 degrees (So that two people can view the sample at one time, or one person and a camera.  Important features in specifying metallurgical microscopes include a digital display, mechanical stages, fine focus, computer interfaces, and image analysis processing software.

Measuring microscopes are used for dimensional measurements. They provide lower magnifying powers to allow for brighter, sharper images combined with a wide field of view. The most common configurations of measuring microscopes are student, benchtop and research.  Student microscopes are the smallest and least expensive type of microscope. They are capable of advanced techniques and documentation even though they are for student use. Benchtop microscopes are used in various industries like textiles and animal husbandry.  Benchtop microscopes can do many techniques but are limited by the amount of techniques they can be used for at one time.  Research microscopes are large, weighing in the range of 30Kg to 50 Kg. This mass is composed of complex optical, mechanical, and electronic systems. They may use multiple cameras, large specimens, and the widest range of simultaneous techniques.

Measuring microscopes can be one of many types of technologies.  The most common measuring microscopes are compound microscopes used for viewing very small specimens such as cells, pond life samples, and other microscopic life forms, inverted microscopes, which are better for looking through thick specimens, such as dishes of cultured cells, because the lenses can get closer to the bottom of the dish, where the cells grow and stereomicroscopes which are great for dissecting as well as for viewing fossils and insect specimens.  Other technologies include acoustic and ultrasonic microscopes, microwave microscopes, fluorescent microscopes, laser or confocal microscopes, polarizing microscopes, portable field microscopes, scanning electron (SEM) microscopes, scanning probe or atomic force microscopes (SPM / AFM), and transmission electron microscopes (TEM).

The magnification of measuring microscopes is the ratio of the size of an image to its corresponding object. This is usually determined by linear measurement.  Resolution is the fineness of detail in an object that is revealed by an optical device. Objectively, resolution is specified as the minimum distance between two lines or points in the object that are perceived as separate by the human eye. Subjectively, the images of the two resolved points must fall on two receptors (rods or cones), which are separated by at least one other receptor on the retina of the eye.  Field of view is defined as the extent of the visible image field that can be seen when the microscope is in focus.

Measuring microscopes can come in one of many types of eyepiece styles.  These include monocular, binocular, trinocular or dual head.  A monocular eyepiece has one objective and one body tube for monocular vision.  Binocular microscopes are fitted with double eyepieces for vision with both eyes. The purpose in dividing the same image from a single objective of the usual compound microscope is to reduce eyestrain and muscular fatigue, which may result from monocular, high-power microscopy.  These types of microscopes are also used for stereoscopic vision, which allows for depth perception of the sample.  Trinocular microscopes are fitted with a vertical tube at the top and regular binocular eyepieces at 30 degrees.  The vertical tube is often used for a digital camera or a second observer.  A dual head has one vertical eyepiece lens and a second eyepiece off the side at 45 degrees (So that two people can view the sample at one time, or one person and a camera.  Important features in specifying measuring microscopes include a digital display, mechanical stages, oil immersion lenses, fine focus, computer interfaces, and image analysis processing software.

 Electron microscopes use a focused beam of electrons instead of light to "image" the specimen and gain information as to its structure and composition.  Common types of information yielded are topography, morphology, composition and crystallographic information.  Electron microscopes can be used in one of several applications including biological or life science, gemological, medical or forensic, metallurgical, measuring or inspection and semiconductor inspection.

Electron microscopes are one of two main types: scanning electron microscopes (SEM) and transmission electron microscopes (TEM).  Scanning electron microscopes are microscopes in which the image is formed by a detector synchronized with a focused electron beam scanning the object. The intensity of the image-forming beam is proportional to the back scattered or secondary emission of the specimen where the probe strikes it.  The magnification is controlled by the length or area scanned.  Transmission electron microscopes (TEM) pass image-forming rays through the specimen being observed.  Contrast or diffracted beam images are used to analyze the sample.

Important parameters in specifying electron microscopes include accelerating voltage, total magnification and resolution.  Accelerating voltage is the range of voltage used to produce electrons in scanning and transmission electron microscopes.  Total magnification is a ratio of the size of an image to its corresponding object. This is usually determined by linear measurement.  Resolution is the fineness of detail in an object that is revealed by an optical device. Objectively, resolution is specified as the minimum distance between two lines or points in the object that are perceived as separate by the human eye. Subjectively, the images of the two resolved points must fall on two receptors (rods or cones), which are separated by at least one other receptor on the retina of the eye.

Features common to electron microscopes are digital displays, computer interfaces, image analysis processing software and environmental, low vacuum or variable pressure chambers, which allows it to maintain a pressure differential between the high vacuum levels required in the gun and column area and the relatively low pressures used in the chamber. This facility means that the microscope can be used to examine uncoated specimens such as type material, pinned insects, mineralogical specimens and fossils.  Variable pressure electron microscopes allow the pressure in the sample chamber to be maintained at a much higher level than in conventional SEMs.  The presence of molecules of air (or inert gas) in the chamber has two major effects. First, it significantly reduces outgassing from samples that are hydrated or oily. This allows these types of samples to be examined without the need for complex sample preparation, such as freeze-drying or critical point drying, etc. The second important benefit is that the air molecules also help dissipate the build up of charge on the surface of nonconducting specimens, which means that they no longer need to be coated with a conducting layer before examination.

Digital and video microscopes are instruments that use digital technology to magnify images of objects. They include built-in cameras and a series of high-powered lenses that provide superior image quality and resolution. Some digital and video microscopes require users to view objects through a standard eyepiece. Others provide a computer interface that displays images on a monitor. Image analysis processing software allows adjustments to both linear dimensions and resolution. Total magnification, the ratio of the image size to the actual object, is usually determined by linear measurement. This specification represents the device’s entire magnification range, including both eyepiece magnification and objective magnification.

There are three grades of digital and video microscopes: student, benchtop, and research. Student microscopes are the smallest and least expensive type of device. They are capable of advanced techniques and are designed for bright field, dark field, and phase contrast examinations. Benchtop microscopes are used in industries such as textiles and animal husbandry. They provide a range of examination techniques, but can perform only a few methods at one time. Research microscopes are large devices that weight between 30 kg and 50 kg and contain complex optical, mechanical, and electronics systems. These devices include multiple cameras and can perform the widest range of simultaneous examinations. Many research microscopes contain built-in computers that control the cameras and functions such as focus management and image processing.

Digital and video microscopes use several imaging technologies. Acoustic and ultrasonic devices use sound waves and are suitable for non-destructive testing. Compound microscopes, which use a single light path, are designed for viewing very small specimens such as cells. Fluorescent and ultraviolet (UV) microscopes use high-energy, short-wavelength light to excite electrons within specific molecules. Inverted microscopes place the illumination system above the stage and the lens system below the stage for viewing thick specimens. Laser or confocal microscopes use a laser of light to image one plane at a time. Polarizing microscopes position polarizers perpendicular to each other so that the only light that passes through the specimen reaches the eyepiece. Portable field microscopes are lightweight devices that include an energy source such as a battery. Scanning electron microscopy (SPM) forms images with a detector that is synchronized with a focused electron beam. Scanning probe microscopes (SPMs), atomic force microscopes (AFMs), and transmission electron microscopes (TEMs) are also available. Microwave microscopes use electromagnetic radiation, which has a long wavelength between 1 mm and 30 cm. Stereomicroscopes use two different paths of light so that users can view specimens in three dimensions.

There are a variety of configurations and applications for digital and video microscopes. Gemological devices use polarized light with lower magnifying powers to produce sharp, bright images in a wide field of view. Medical and forensic microscopes are often hands-free and binocular. Measuring microscopes are used in applications such as tool making. Biological and life science microscopes transmit light or use environmental scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Digital and video microscopes are also used to examine the layers in semiconductor wafers and fabricated integrated circuit (IC) components. These digital and video microscopes provide superior precision and throughput.

Biological microscopes are used to study organisms and their vital processes.  Microscopes used in this field range widely, from relatively simple optical microscopes to very advanced imaging systems used in cell research, forensic medicine, and state-of-the-art high resolution molecular studies.  The most common configurations of biological microscopes are student, benchtop and research.  Student microscopes are the smallest and least expensive type of microscope. They are capable of advanced techniques and documentation even though they are for student use. Benchtop microscopes are used in various industries like textiles and animal husbandry.  Benchtop microscopes can do many techniques but are limited by the amount of techniques they can be used for at one time.  Research microscopes are large, weighing in the range of 30Kg to 50 Kg. This mass is composed of complex optical, mechanical, and electronic systems. They may use multiple cameras, large specimens, and the widest range of simultaneous techniques.

Biological microscopes can be one of many types of technologies.  The most common biological microscopes are compound microscopes used for viewing very small specimens such as cells, pond life samples, and other microscopic life forms, inverted microscopes, which are better for looking through thick specimens, such as dishes of cultured cells, because the lenses can get closer to the bottom of the dish, where the cells grow and stereomicroscopes which are great for dissecting as well as for viewing fossils and insect specimens.  Other technologies include acoustic and ultrasonic microscopes, microwave microscopes, fluorescent microscopes, laser or confocal microscopes, polarizing microscopes, portable field microscopes, scanning electron (SEM) microscopes, scanning probe or atomic force microscopes (SPM / AFM), and transmission electron microscopes (TEM).

The magnification of biological microscopes is the ratio of the size of an image to its corresponding object. This is usually determined by linear measurement.  Resolution is the fineness of detail in an object that is revealed by an optical device. Objectively, resolution is specified as the minimum distance between two lines or points in the object that are perceived as separate by the human eye. Subjectively, the images of the two resolved points must fall on two receptors (rods or cones), which are separated by at least one other receptor on the retina of the eye.  Field of view is defined as the extent of the visible image field that can be seen when the microscope is in focus.

Biological microscopes can come in one of many types of eyepiece styles.  These include monocular, binocular, trinocular or dual head.  A monocular eyepiece has one objective and one body tube for monocular vision.  Binocular microscopes are fitted with double eyepieces for vision with both eyes. The purpose in dividing the same image from a single objective of the usual compound microscope is to reduce eyestrain and muscular fatigue, which may result from monocular, high-power microscopy.  These types of microscopes are also used for stereoscopic vision, which allows for depth perception of the sample.  Trinocular microscopes are fitted with a vertical tube at the top and regular binocular eyepieces at 30 degrees.  The vertical tube is often used for a digital camera or a second observer.  A dual head has one vertical eyepiece lens and a second eyepiece off the side at 45 degrees (So that two people can view the sample at one time, or one person and a camera.  Important features in specifying biological microscopes include a digital display, mechanical stages, oil immersion lenses, fine focus, computer interfaces, and image analysis processing software.