micrographs

A micrograph is a photograph or digital image produced by a microscope, intended to depict structures visible only at high magnification. Micrographs can be optical, using visible light, or electron micrographs formed with electron beams. Scanning probe techniques such as atomic force microscopy may also be described as micrographs.

Optical micrographs are obtained with light microscopes and methods such as brightfield, dark-field, phase-contrast, differential interference contrast, and fluorescence. Sample preparation ranges from simple mounts to staining and sectioning. Electron micrographs require more complex preparation, including dehydration, embedding, ultrathin sectioning for transmission electron microscopy, or coating for scanning electron microscopy. Cryo-preservation methods are used for biological samples in cryo-EM.

Micrographs support qualitative morphology assessment and quantitative measurements, often with a scale bar to indicate size. They are widely used in biology to study cells and tissues, in materials science to examine surfaces and microstructures, and in geology and forensics. Image analysis and digital processing are commonly applied, but must preserve original data integrity.

The development of micrography parallels advances in microscopy and imaging technologies since the 17th century, enabling precise documentation of microscopic features and facilitating scientific communication.