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A micrograph, microphotograph or photomicrograph is a photograph or similar image taken through a microscope or similar device to show a magnified image of an item. Canadian inventor Reginald Aubrey Fessenden is credited with inventing photomicrography.

To produce a micrograph, a camera may be affixed to a microscope either in place of the eyepiece or a specialist microscope may be used which has a camera and eyepiece arrangement. A prepared specimen is put under the microscope in the usual way and photographs taken. Alternatively, the image may be scanned and stored electronically and displayed on a screen and/or printed.

Micrographs are widely used in forensic engineering and forensic science, especially for recording trace evidence. It is also routinely used in scanning electron microscopy, often combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy so that the area of the sample selected for analysis is directly visible.

Types

Photomicrograph

A light micrograph is a micrograph prepared using a light microscope, a process referred to as photomicroscopy. At a basic level, photomicroscopy may be performed simply by hooking up a regular camera to a microscope, thereby enabling the user to take photographs at reasonably high magnification.

Photomicroscopists take photographs of many biologic subjects such as cells and proteins and insect eyes. Roman Vishniac was a pioneer in the field of photomicroscopy, specializing in the photography of living creatures in full motion. He also made major developments in light-interruption photography and color photomicroscopy.

Electron micrograph

An electron micrograph is a micrograph prepared using an electron microscope.

External links

• Make a Micrograph -- This interactive Flash presentation shows how researchers create a three-color micrograph. From the research department of Children's Hospital Boston.
• Shots with a Microscope -- a basic, but comprehensive guide of microphotography