Compound microscope

Compound Microscope

A Compound Microscope is an optical instrument used in microscopy to magnify images of small objects. It consists of multiple lenses, the main ones being the objective lens and the eyepiece.

History

The compound microscope was invented in the 17th century by Robert Hooke and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. Hooke's microscope used a concave mirror to focus light on the specimen, while Leeuwenhoek's microscope used a simple magnifying glass.

Design and Function

A compound microscope uses multiple lenses to enhance the magnification of an object. The light from the object is first magnified by the objective lens, and then magnified again by the eyepiece. The total magnification is the product of the magnifications of the individual lenses.

Types of Compound Microscopes

There are several types of compound microscopes, including the monocular microscope, the binocular microscope, and the trinocular microscope. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, and is used for different purposes.

Applications

Compound microscopes are used in various fields, such as biology, medicine, and material science. They are essential tools for cell biology, microbiology, histology, and pathology.

See Also

• Microscope
• Optical microscope
• Electron microscope
• Scanning probe microscope

References

Compound microscope Resources
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