electron microscope

views updated

electron microscope Microscope used for producing an image of a minute object. It ‘illuminates’ the object with a stream of electrons, and the ‘lenses’ consist of magnets that focus the electron beam. Smaller objects can be seen because electrons have shorter wavelengths than light, and thus provide greater resolution. The image is obtained by converting the pattern (made by electrons passing through the object) into a video display, which may be photographed. These microscopes can magnify from 2000 to a million times.

More From encyclopedia.com