| Optical Microscope |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_microscope |
Optical |
General biological and medical microscopy |
Improved lens quality and microscope design for better image clarity and detail. |
Zacharias Janssen (attributed) |
1590 |
200 |
| Electron Microscope |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_microscope |
Electron |
Cellular biology, materials science, virology |
Enhanced magnification and resolution, allowing visualization of structures at the atomic level. |
Ernst Ruska and Max Knoll |
1931 |
0.2 |
| Scanning Tunneling Microscope |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scanning_tunneling_microscope |
Scanning Probe |
Surface science, nanotechnology |
Ability to image surfaces at the atomic level. |
Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer |
1981 |
0.1 |
| Confocal Microscope |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confocal_microscopy |
Optical |
3D imaging of biological samples |
Provides optical sectioning capability to observe multiple layers within specimens. |
Marvin Minsky |
1957 |
200 |
| Atomic Force Microscope |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_force_microscopy |
Scanning Probe |
Nanotechnology, surface engineering |
Can image non-conductive materials, providing a three-dimensional surface profile. |
Gerd Binnig, Calvin Quate, Christoph Gerber |
1986 |
0.1 |
| Fluorescence Microscope |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorescence_microscope |
Optical |
Biological sciences, medical diagnostics |
Uses fluorescence and phosphorescence to study properties of organic or inorganic substances. |
Oskar Heimstädt |
1911 |
200 |
| Phase Contrast Microscope |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase_contrast_microscopy |
Optical |
Live cell imaging without staining |
Enhances contrast in transparent and colorless samples. |
Frits Zernike |
1934 |
200 |
| Transmission Electron Microscope |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmission_electron_microscopy |
Electron |
Material science, cancer research, virology |
Capable of imaging at a significantly higher resolution than light microscopes, down to the level of atomic structures. |
Ernst Ruska |
1933 |
0.05 |
| Scanning Electron Microscope |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scanning_electron_microscope |
Electron |
Materials research, forensic examinations, biological research |
Produces high-resolution images of a sample surface, revealing detailed topography. |
Manfred von Ardenne |
1942 |
1 |
| Digital Microscope |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_microscope |
Optical |
Education, industrial inspection, clinical research |
Integration with digital cameras and computers for enhanced imaging and analysis. |
Various contributors |
1980 |
200 |
| Stereo Microscope |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereo_microscope |
Optical |
Manufacturing, botany, entomology |
Provides a three-dimensional viewing experience by using two separate optical paths. |
Cherubin d'Orleans |
1671 |
10000 |
| X-ray Microscope |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-ray_microscopy |
X-ray |
Material sciences, paleontology |
Uses X-rays to penetrate samples and create images of the internal structure. |
Raymond Castaing |
1946 |
50 |
| Cryo-Electron Microscopy |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryo-electron_microscopy |
Electron |
Structural biology, virology |
Allows imaging of samples at cryogenic temperatures, preserving native state. |
Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank, Richard Henderson |
1975 |
0.1 |