Synopses & Reviews
This book describes the principles of operation of each type of microscope currently available and of use to biomedical and materials scientists. It explains the mechanisms of image formation, contrast and its enhancement, and accounts for ultimate limits on the size of observable details (resolving power and resolution). Finally it provides an account of Fourier optical theory. Principles behind the photographic methods used in microscopy are also described and there is some discussion of image processing methods. Throughout, the text emphasizes the underlying similarity of all microscope systems and, recognizing that biologists may often be uncomfortable with mathematical approaches every effort has been made to present concepts verbally.
Review
"What a refreshing change to open a new book on microscopy that is not only packed with information on recent advances in the field but also contains a broad foundation of theoretical principles. The volume is slim, and it is hard to believe that the wide range of material is covered in such depth until one realizes what has been left out: the usual dreary rules of thumb for operating microscopes that might as well be describing masonic rituals for all the explanation--or intellectual stimulation--that they offer." Graham Dunn, Nature
Synopsis
This book describes the principles of operation of each type of microscope currently available and of use to biomedical and materials scientists.
Table of Contents
Preface; List of common abbreviations used; 1. Introduction; 2. Light and electrons; 3. Wave interactions; 4. Interference effects and diffraction patterns; 5. Polarized light; 6. Lenses; 7. Imaging: microscopy and diffraction; 8. Contrast; 9. Resolution; 10. The light microscope; 11. Imaging of phase objects; 12. Polarizing microscopy; 13. Prospects of biological X-ray microscopy; 14. The conventional transmission electron microscope; 15. Scanning microscopes; 16. Aspects of practical electron microscopy; 17. The quest for ultimate EM resolution; 18. Innovations in microscope development; 19. Photography; Appendix: image location; Author index; Subject index.