Birefringence of Ice
Birefringence of Ice
It's pretty cold outside here in Calgary, AB and I had read that ice is birefringent (anistropic) or has 2 or more refractive indices which result in different colours when observed through a microscope using a polarizer and analyzer. A full wave plate can also enhance the colours. I took several microscope slides placed a drop of water on them and put them outside. I also took several more slides placed water and coverslip and put them in a metal tray and placed them in my backyard for about an hour (it was about -10 C outside). Both slides with and without coverslips worked fine though the crystals under the coverslip were thinner. I took one slide at a time inside and viewed them on my microscope - I put them on top of a thin metal plate with a hole on the stage so they would stay colder a little longer. They start to melt immediately but when observed with a 10X objective and polarized light they form colourful abstracts. I have between 1-5 minutes at most to take the pictures before they completely melt. You can also watch changes in the birefingence (colours) as the ice melts. Black spots are air bubbles.
I tested tap water and distilled water but results were similar. Below are a few photomicrographs which show that even something as simple as ice can be interesting when viewed by polarized light. Something to try on a cold winter day. You could take your microscope outside or put in the garage - I have done this with snowflakes, but however you do it - it can be fun.
I tested tap water and distilled water but results were similar. Below are a few photomicrographs which show that even something as simple as ice can be interesting when viewed by polarized light. Something to try on a cold winter day. You could take your microscope outside or put in the garage - I have done this with snowflakes, but however you do it - it can be fun.
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Re: Birefringence of Ice
That’s very cool.
Radazz
Radazz
Arnold, Missouri
Olympus IX70
Olympus BX40
Olympus SZ40
Olympus IX70
Olympus BX40
Olympus SZ40
Re: Birefringence of Ice
Nice colors, I would have thought the ice would melt too fast, do you use an led light source?
Re: Birefringence of Ice
Wonderful results - with the added discipline of having to work so quickly. Thanks.
Re: Birefringence of Ice
Hi Rob,
thank you for showing these beautiful images! Ice really is an interesting topic.
Bob
thank you for showing these beautiful images! Ice really is an interesting topic.
Bob
- ImperatorRex
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Re: Birefringence of Ice
I really enjoy your images, thanks for sharing.
Re: Birefringence of Ice
Really nice images. For some reason they look very 70s to me.
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)
Re: Birefringence of Ice
Thank you for kind words. I hope to try some more of this type of photography and also see if I can photograph the birefringence in snowflakes this winter. I will post the photos and\or article later this winter.
Re: Birefringence of Ice
The discriminating feature of these very beautiful images is the gradual and continuous transition of color accross a large area, peculiar to the ice crystal (and organic polymers) and different from the crystallization patters of various chemicals and drugs that we often see.
Re: Birefringence of Ice
Yes, well done, fascinating images. I wonder if the dots are contamination particles?