MICROSCOPY | CONCEPTS IN MICROSCOPY

Key concepts

Magnification:

This is the process of making an object appear larger than its actual size. A compound microscope achieves high magnification by using two lens systems: the objective lens, which is close to the specimen, and the ocular lens, which is in the eyepiece. The total magnification is the product of the magnifications of both lenses.
Resolution:

This is the ability to distinguish between two closely spaced points as separate entities. Higher resolution means finer detail can be seen. It is measured in linear units, like micrometers (

$mu m$

).
Illumination:

A light source is used to shine light through the specimen, allowing the lenses to create a magnified image. Some advanced techniques, like phase contrast, use light variations to create contrast in transparent specimens.
Contrast:

This is the difference in intensity between different parts of an image, which is crucial for visibility. Contrast-enhancing techniques can be used to make features more distinct.