* Compound microscopes use two lenses, an objective lens and an eyepiece lens, to magnify small objects. The objective lens gathers light from the object and focuses it on the eyepiece lens. The eyepiece lens then magnifies the image of the object.

* Simple microscopes use only one lens, the objective lens, to magnify small objects.

Electron microscopes

* Transmission electron microscopes (TEMs) use a beam of electrons to pass through a thin sample of the object. The electrons interact with the atoms in the sample, and the resulting image is magnified.

* Scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) use a beam of electrons to scan the surface of the object. The electrons interact with the atoms on the surface, and the resulting image is magnified.

Scanning probe microscopes

* Scanning tunneling microscopes (STMs) use a sharp metal probe to scan the surface of the object. The probe moves back and forth across the surface, and the resulting image is magnified.

* Atomic force microscopes (AFMs) use a sharp cantilever with a tip at its end to scan the surface of the object. The cantilever moves back and forth across the surface, and the resulting image is magnified.

Other types of microscopes

* Fluorescence microscopes use a fluorescent dye to stain the object. The dye emits light when it is exposed to light of a certain wavelength, and the resulting image is magnified.

* Confocal microscopes use a focused beam of light to illuminate the object. The light is detected by a sensor, and the resulting image is magnified.

* Multiphoton microscopes use two or more photons to excite the electrons in the object. The resulting image is magnified.