There are two main types of electron microscopes:
* Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM): This type of microscope uses a beam of electrons to illuminate a thin sample. The electrons pass through the sample and are then focused by magnetic lenses to create an image on a screen. TEMs are used to study the internal structure of cells, materials, and other objects.
* Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM): This type of microscope uses a focused beam of electrons to scan the surface of a sample. The electrons interact with the sample, producing signals that are used to create an image. SEMs are used to study the surface features of materials, including their topography, composition, and crystal structure.
Both TEM and SEM offer much higher resolution than light microscopes, allowing scientists to visualize objects at the nanoscale.