Comparison of the optics in light & transmission electron microscopy

Note the similarity of the optical pathways if the light microscope is inverted. Not shown in the electron microscope is an intermediate lens located between the objective and the projector lenses. Each crossover of the electron beam allows for a small portion of the image to be enlarged at the next stage. A real image is produced by the electron microscope that exists in a physical plane, but a virtual image is produced by the compound light microscope when viewed by eye as the enlarged specimen is only perceived by the eye. Carefully trace the optical pathways in each instrument.