18 Comparison: optical and electron microscope
1Radiation used
Optical microscope
- visible light (photons)
Electron microscope
- beam of electrons
2Wavelength
Optical microscope
- 400–700 nm
Electron microscope
- about 0.005–0.01 nm (depends on voltage)
3Lenses
Optical microscope
- glass lenses
Electron microscope
- magnetic (or electric) lenses
4Resolving power
Optical microscope
- low
Electron microscope
- very high
5Image
Optical microscope
- seen by eye
Electron microscope
- on a fluorescent screen or detector
6Medium
Optical microscope
- air
Electron microscope
- high vacuum