There are present different types of microscope and each microscope contains different features. The most common microscopes are Light microscope and electron Microscope. These two microscopes contain distinct features for different purposes.
The light microscope is a simple microscope and electron microscopes are highly advanced, which are used to create highly magnified image.
Definition of Light Microscope
(also known as an optical microscope) is an optical instrument, which is used to make objects larger in order to view their details. It uses light to illuminate the objects under view.
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Definition of Electron Microscope
An electron microscope is an optical instrument that uses a beam of electrons to make objects larger for a detailed view.
Difference Between Light Microscope and Electron Microscope
| Topic | Light Microscope | Electron Microscope |
| Invented by | A Dutch spectacles makers Zacharius Jansen and his father Hans | A physicist Ernst Ruska and German engineer Max Knoll. |
| Cost | Low price. | It is expensive. |
| Maintenance cost | low maintenance costs | maintenance costs are high |
| Thickness of specimen | 5 micrometer or thicker | Ultra-thin, 0.1 micrometers or below |
| Focusing | Done by adjusting the lens position mechanically. | Done by adjusting the power of the electric current to the electromagnetic lenses. |
| Mounting of specimen | Mounted on the glass slide. | Mounted on the metallic grid (mostly copper). |
| Coating of specimen | Stained by colored dyes for proper visualization. | Coated with heavy metals to reflect electrons. |
| Dehydration of Specimen | Specimens need not be dehydrated before viewing. | Only dehydrated specimens are used. |
| Difficulty | Simple to use | Users require technical skills |
| Invention Year | In the 16th century. | In 1931 |
| Illuminating source | Uses light to illuminate the object | Uses Electron beam to illuminate the object |
| Principle | The image formed by absorption of light waves. | The image formed by scattering or transmission of electrons. |
| Lens type | Light Microscope uses a glass lens | Electron Microscope uses Electromagnetic lenses. |
| Sample Preparation | The preparation of the sample is quick and simple. | Complex preparation and long processes. |
| Filament | No filament used. | Tungsten filament is used. |
| Radiation leakage | No radiation risk. | There is a risk of radiation leakage. |
| Magnification Power | Low magnification of up to 1,500x | Electron Microscope’s Magnification Power is about 10,00,000X. |
| Availability | Easily available and cheaper in rate. | Not easily available and expensive. |
| Sample Type | Living and dead, both cells are observed. | Only dead (fixed) organisms can be viewed. |
| 3D Structure | Don’t create a 3D Image it shows a 2D image of the specimen. | 3D structure is obtained due to which it is easy to study the structural and other details of organisms. |
| Resolving Power | Low resolving power, usually below 0.30µm. | High resolving power of up to 0.0001µm. |
| Screen | Uses Projection screen. | Uses a Fluorescent screen. |
| Voltage Required | No need for high voltage electricity. | High voltage electric current is required (around 50,000 volts and above). |
| Color of the specimen | The natural color of the specimen is obtained. | Only black and white image is obtained. |
| Image observation | The image can be seen directly. | The image is seen only on the fluorescent screen. |
| Surface View | Poor surface view | Good surface view and internal details |
| Vacuum | No need vacuum | Operates under a high vacuum |
| Size | It is compact in size. | Large in size, required separate room for installation. |
| Cooling system | No required of the Cooling system | It has a high cooling system in order to move out the heat generated by high voltage electric current. |
| Types | 1. Dark-field microscope 2. Phase-contrast microscope 3. Fluorescent microscope 4. Polarized microscope 5. Differential interference contrast microscope | 1. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) 2. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) 3. Transmission scanning electron microscope. 4. Confocal Microscope |
Reference
- https://theydiffer.com/difference-between-a-light-microscope-and-an-electron-microscope/
- https://biodifferences.com/difference-between-light-microscope-and-electron-microscope.html
- https://www.easybiologyclass.com/light-microscope-vs-electron-microscope-similarities-differences-comparison-table/
- https://www.majordifferences.com/2013/10/difference-between-electron-microscope.html
