Final answer:
Electron microscopy uses a beam of electrons to scan the specimen and generate a three-dimensional image. It provides higher magnification and resolution than optical microscopy, allowing for detailed observations at the atomic level.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of microscopy that uses a beam of electrons to scan the specimen, followed by the conversion of the excited electrons to a three-dimensional image is electron microscopy.
There are two main types of electron microscopy: transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). TEM passes electrons through a thin sample in a vacuum to visualize small structures, while SEM scans the specimen's surface to create a 3D image.
Electron microscopy provides much higher magnification and resolution than optical microscopy, allowing us to see details at the atomic level.