Which piece of equipment is used to sterilize articles through steam under pressure?

The equipment used to sterilize articles through steam under pressure is the autoclave. An autoclave operates by using high-pressure steam to achieve temperatures of approximately 121 degrees Celsius or higher. This process effectively kills bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores, making it an essential tool in medical and laboratory settings where sterile conditions are critical.

The autoclave's ability to penetrate fabrics, even in the presence of moisture, ensures that surgical instruments and other tools are thoroughly sterilized. This method of sterilization is particularly advantageous because it is faster and more effective than many other methods, providing a high level of assurance that all microorganisms have been eliminated.

In contrast, while all the other choices are related to different processes or environments, they do not perform steam sterilization under pressure. An incubator is designed to maintain a stable environment for growing cultures, a sterilizer may refer to a general term that could include various devices, but does not specifically indicate steam under pressure, and a microwave is intended for heating and cooking food and does not offer sterilization capabilities in the way an autoclave does.