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How Electron Microscopes Work
In an electron microscope, an electron generator creates a stream of electrons. The electrons are then accelerated by a positive electrical current directed at the object to be magnified. A system of metal apertures and magnetic lenses confine the beam of electrons within the microscope and finally focus it into the magnified object. The beam of electrons penetrates the object and interacts with its subatomic matter. These interactions are monitored by electronic sensors which produce a magnified image of the object based on its subatomic makeup.
How Light Microscopes Work
Instead of electrons, light microscopes magnify objects through the use of photons. Light microscopes feature an ocular lens, through which the observer looks, and an objective lens, which focuses a beam of light onto the object. The inside of the light microscope is composed of a condenser, which is a system of lenses that each increase the focus of photons in the light beam. When the light beam finally passes through the objective lens and onto the object, it is an extremely thin, condensed beam. This light-condensing effect of the lenses magnifies the object placed beneath the objective lens when looked at through the eyepiece.
Benefits of Electron Microscopes
Since electron microscopes magnify an object based on its subatomic structure, they can be used to create extremely detailed images that display millions of times of magnification. This is thousands of times greater than the magnification power of light microscopes, which are limited by the wavelength property of light. Additionally, electron microscopes can be constructed to magnify the three-dimensional surface of an object. They also feature a greater depth of field than light microscopes.
Benefits of Light Microscopes
Light microscopes are much smaller and simpler in construction than electron microscopes. This allows for the production of inexpensive light microscopes for consumer and classroom use. In contrast, electron microscopes are extremely complex and expensive to produce, and thus are generally used only by professionals. An additional benefit is in the observation of living specimens, such as bacteria and cells. Whereas electron microscopes require that the specimen be fixed and dehydrated, light microscopes allow for the observation of the living organism. This allows the observer to view its biological processes in action.