A microscope is an optical instrument used to observe tiny objects, which magnifies details that are not visible to the naked eye for detailed study. Microscopes play a vital role in scientific research, medical diagnosis and industrial testing.
The working principle of the microscope is based on optical magnification. By using a range of lenses and optical systems, microscopes are able to magnify samples many or even thousands of times, making fine structures clearly visible. Common types of microscopes include light microscopy, electron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. Optical microscopes use visible light for observation and are suitable for biology and medicine. Electron microscopy uses electron beams to provide higher resolution and is suitable for materials science and nanotechnology; Fluorescence microscopy uses specific wavelengths of light to excite fluorescent dyes in a sample for the study of cells and molecules.
Microscopes are used in a wide range of applications, from biologists studying cell structure, to doctors diagnosing diseases, to engineers detecting defects in materials, all of which provide the ability for in-depth observation and analysis. Modern microscopes have not only increased the accuracy of scientific research, but have also driven technological advances and discoveries in many fields.