Which type of microscope uses electron beams for imaging?

The correct choice is the electron microscope, which utilizes electron beams to achieve high-resolution imaging of specimens. Unlike optical microscopes that rely on visible light and optical lenses to magnify samples, electron microscopes operate using a focused beam of electrons. This method enables them to achieve much greater magnifications and resolutions, allowing visualization of fine details at the molecular or atomic level.

Electron microscopes can be divided into two primary types: transmission electron microscopes (TEM), which transmit electrons through an ultra-thin specimen, and scanning electron microscopes (SEM), which reflect electrons off the surface of the sample. This capability to utilize electron beams is crucial because electrons have much shorter wavelengths than visible light, which enhances the resolution of the images produced.

In contrast, optical microscopes do not employ electron beams, and laser scanning microscopes use lasers and focuses on fluorescence from samples. Digital microscopes still function within the framework of optical principles, often incorporating digital imaging technology but not using electron beams for their operation. Thus, the distinctive use of electron beams in electron microscopes is what makes them unique for high-resolution imaging tasks.