This comprehensive reference work provides an overview of and practical guide to the various computer-aided microscopic techniques used in materials science today. After introducing the basic concepts of optics, the interactions between light and matter, and image processing, Microscopy Techniques for Materials Science goes on to discuss both 2D reflection microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy in depth. Hundreds of photographs and illustrations and through specific case studies illustrate the application of these techniques to the characterization of materials. The authors also discuss other modern optical imaging techniques as well as non-optical ones including x-ray micrography.