microscope Definition

an optical instrument consisting of a lens or combination of lenses for making enlarged images of minute objects; especially : compound microscope

a non-optical instrument (such as one using radiations other than light or using vibrations) for making enlarged images of minute objects

an instrument used for mapping the atomic-scale topography of a surface by means of the repulsive electronic forces between the surface and the tip of a microscope probe moving above the surface —abbreviation AFM

a microscope consisting of an objective and an eyepiece mounted in a drawtube

ultramicroscope

a low-magnification stereomicroscope used especially in examining or dissecting biological specimens

an electron-optical instrument in which a beam of electrons is used to produce an enlarged image of a minute object

a microscope that translates differences in phase of the light transmitted through or reflected by the object into differences of intensity in the image —called also phase microscope

an electron microscope in which a beam of focused electrons moves across the object with the secondary electrons produced by the object and the electrons scattered by the object being collected to form a three-dimensional image on a display screen —called also scanning microscope

a microscope that makes use of the phenomenon of tunneling electrons to map the positions of individual atoms in a surface or to move atoms around on a surface

in a state of being watched very closely