Description

Microscopy is a dynamic area of science, incorporating both basic classroom microscopes and sophisticated research style instruments that can be driven by light, electrons or X-rays. The rate of advance in the area over the last 50 years has led to a number of technological advances.

In this Very Short Introduction Terence Allen, an established expert on microscope techniques, describes the scientific principles behind the main forms of microscopy and the exciting new developments in the field. Focusing on the main underlying principles and introducing the power of what is achievable today using microscopes, Allen demonstrates how microscopy impinges on almost every aspect of our daily lives, from medical diagnosis to quality control in manufacture. Beginning with a brief history of the early stages of microscopy development, Allen then concludes with a comprehensive account of the diverse spectrum of microscopy available today.

Book Features:

Describes the scientific principles behind the main forms of microscopy
Outlines the exciting new developments and technological advances in the field
Explores the history and background of major figures in the field
Shows how scientific advances in other areas are incorporated into microscopy
Part of the bestselling Very Short Introduction series – over seven million copies sold worldwide
Table of Contents:

Microscopy and the discovery of a new world
A spectrum of microscopies
Light microscopy – from Abbe to superresolution
Identifying what we see – from FISH to quantum dots
Electron microscopy -The dawn of atomic resolution
The Electron microscopy of surfaces – scanning electron microscopy
Microscopy and nanotechnology – magnification by other routes
The impact of microscopy
Further reading
Index