Final answer:
Scientists first use optical microscopy to match a fiber to a location, then potentially employ electron microscopy for higher magnification details, and finally may use atomic-level models. Fiber optics and molecular beacon technology can provide non-intrusive diagnostics and gene identification respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
When scientists attempt to match a fiber to a location, they initially examine certain characteristics of the fiber using various microscopy techniques. The information provided talks about a progression from a macroscopic view of a cotton boll, to a microscopic and even atomic-level analysis. Initially, an optical microscope is utilized to examine a single cotton fiber at a magnification of 40 times, which provides information on the fiber's general morphology and surface characteristics. A more detailed image can be obtained with an electron microscope, which significantly surpasses the magnification capabilities of an optical microscope and can show finer structural details of the fiber. At the most detailed level, atomic-level models of the fiber are used, where different atoms are represented by spheres of various colors.
Advanced fiber optics technology, including the use of special tiny lenses attached to fiber bundles, allows for focused light to image tiny spots, which can be scanned for high-quality imaging. This technology has applications in nonintrusive diagnostics, such as assessing the extent of internal cancers. Similarly, researchers might use antibodies linked to nanogold particles to define specific structures within biological samples, providing further specificity in localization.
Finding a gene of interest involves using a DNA probe labeled with a molecular beacon, enabling it to hybridize with its complementary strand in the sample, indicating its presence. Lastly, optical fibers are mentioned in relation to their use in transmitting light from galaxies to a spectrometer in an astronomical study, showcasing the versatility of these fibers in various fields of science.