Microscope pictures - photomicrographs

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the sharing and appreciation of photomicrographs taken through microscopes, with a focus on various substances including recrystallized ascorbic acid and other chemical compounds. Participants share their images, express admiration, and discuss the techniques and experiences related to microscopy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Participants share various photomicrographs, highlighting the beauty of the images and the effects of polarized light.
  • Some participants express that the images would be suitable for display in an art gallery.
  • There is a discussion about the visual interpretations of the images, with some participants seeing faces or other shapes in the crystals.
  • One participant mentions their experience with petrological microscopes and the aesthetics of rocks under magnification.
  • Another participant shares their own photomicrographs taken with a new camera setup, detailing the types of microscopy used (epi-DIC and trans-DIC).
  • There is a conversation about the evolution of digital cameras and their capabilities in capturing microscope images compared to disposable film cameras.
  • Some participants inquire about the specifics of the microscopes used and the types of images produced.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express admiration for the shared images, but there are varying opinions on the interpretation of the visuals and the technical aspects of microscopy. The discussion includes both agreement on the beauty of the images and differing views on the technical capabilities of cameras used in microscopy.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions touch on the limitations of earlier digital cameras in capturing quality images through microscopes, as well as the specific characteristics of various microscope types and their effects on image quality.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in microscopy, photography, crystallography, and the aesthetic aspects of scientific imaging may find this discussion valuable.

  • #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.

1t8wtf.png

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!