Microscope pictures - photomicrographs

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on photomicrographs taken through various microscopes, primarily showcasing recrystallized ascorbic acid and crystals formed with NH4 perchloric acid and chloroplatinic acid. Participants share their admiration for the images, particularly those captured using polarized light microscopy, such as the Olympus BH-2 PLM and Zeiss Ultraphot III. The conversation also touches on the evolution of digital cameras in microscopy, highlighting the Sony A850's capabilities and the use of differential interference contrast (DIC) techniques for enhanced image quality.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of polarized light microscopy techniques
  • Familiarity with differential interference contrast (DIC) imaging
  • Knowledge of photomicrography and microscopy equipment
  • Basic concepts of crystallography and crystal formation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the capabilities and features of the Olympus BH-2 PLM microscope
  • Explore advanced techniques in differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy
  • Learn about the principles of polarized light and its applications in microscopy
  • Investigate the impact of camera technology on photomicrography, focusing on DSLRs like the Sony A850
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for microscopy enthusiasts, researchers in materials science, and photographers interested in photomicrography techniques and equipment.

  • #31
edward said:
Fairly good pictures could be taken with an inexpensive fixed focus disposable film camera.

That's an excellent site, and serves to remind us that good pictures only require a good photographer!
 
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  • #32
Andy Resnick said:
Here's a few I took today, with my new camera (Sony a850). It's sitting on a Zeiss Ultraphot III, and all except one are taken using epi-DIC. The oddball is trans-DIC. All images were cropped and re-sized (I hope...). I also have a set of Luminars, and those images may appear someday.

This is a razor blade (8x):
Mica (4x):

I like the razor blade and Mica the best. Arg, why does your mica have pretty colours? I have analyzed mica under the microscope with crossed polars and have never seen it look like that. :frown:
 
  • #33
Not limited to optical microscopy, are we? Here's something a little different.

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That's an Atomic Force Microscope image I scanned a few months ago, showing a tiny gold electrode (250nm diameter, 50nm thick - patterned by e-beam lithography) deposited on a nanocrystalline oxide layer.
 
  • #34
~christina~ said:
I like the razor blade and Mica the best. Arg, why does your mica have pretty colours? I have analyzed mica under the microscope with crossed polars and have never seen it look like that. :frown:

Thanks!

Those images were taken using differential interference contrast (DIC). The colors come from something called a 'lambda plate'- those images are all 'exactly' what you see in the eyepiece.

Most people are familiar with trans-illumination DIC:

http://www.microscopyu.com/tutorials/java/phasedicmorph/

but these were all epi-illuminated. The razor blade image (and DIC in general) basically converts height information into color; I suppose the mica image is similar but don't really know- is mica birefringent?

Sir Michael Berry had a paper showing how to generate these really cool optical vortices and catastrophes with overhead transparencies... I have to find the exact paper, but you can easily make things like this:

http://www.phy.bris.ac.uk/people/berry_mv/the_papers/berry347.pdf
http://www.phy.bris.ac.uk/people/berry_mv/the_papers/berry355.pdf

Edit- here it is http://www.phy.bris.ac.uk/people/berry_mv/the_papers/Berry303.pdf
 
  • #35
The Atomic Force Microscope image looks amazing, and I'd meant to say how nice Christina's images looked, too!