Microscopy

Microscopy is the technical field of using microscopes to view samples and objects that are not within the resolution range of the normal eye. There are three well-known branches of microscopy: optical, electron, and scanning probe microscopy. Microscopes are commonly used to view all types of cells, analyze clinical specimens, and to scan nanomaterials. Common varieties include light microscopes, infrared microscopes, scanning electron microscopes, stereo microscopes, and fluorescence, or confocal, microscopes. Microscopes often come bundled with a computer for automatic data collection. Accessories available for microscopes include actuators, slides and cover slips, stages, digital cameras, filters, and light sources. When considering microscopy equipment it important to determine which applications you plan to cover with the instrument. Other important factors are how much space you will need between the microscope’s light source and stage, whether you need a camera attached to the microscope, what wavelengths of light you will need, the cost of the instrument, user-friendly image acquisition and image analysis, and ergonomic design.