Fossil Diatom

[KurtM]

Been a while since I posted, but that doesn't mean I haven't been spending time in the lab. Here's a group of pix I took that tries to get all possible detail out of a diatom in order to understand the morphology.

First is through the 16x/.35 lens + 1.6x on the Optovar, DIC. The rainbow colors are naturally occurring diffraction effects, and really pretty:

7-31-18 DMap 16x_pn_lzn.jpg (155.62 KiB) Viewed 3462 times

Then, through the 40x/.65 with DIC, natural color:

7-31-18 DMap 40x_pn_lzn.jpg (144.53 KiB) Viewed 3462 times

Then converted to gray scale:

7-31-18 DMap 40x retouched_lzn_grayscale.jpg (191.76 KiB) Viewed 3462 times

Next, colors inverted, then converted to gray scale:

7-31-18 DMap 40x retouched_pn_lzn_grayscale.jpg (170.55 KiB) Viewed 3462 times

[GaryB]

Those are very pretty. I do like the colors of the 16x and the inverted 40x

[KurtM]

Next is the same through the 63x/1/4 Planapo, DIC, natural light:

7-31-18 DMap retouched 63x.jpg (208.83 KiB) Viewed 3459 times

Then with colors inverted:

7-31-18_DMap retouched_63x_pn_lzn.jpg (224.87 KiB) Viewed 3459 times

And finally, colors inverted and the result converted to gray scale:

7-31-18 DMap retouched 63x pn_lzn_grayscale.jpg (177.62 KiB) Viewed 3459 times

None of this was about creating the prettiest image, but to use all of them to get all possible information on this diatom's morphology. It was a fun exercise, and answered my questions. Thought y'all might enjoy the pix.

[Hobbyst46]

What I mostly like is that under the 16X, the diatom top appears flat (except for the rim), whereas under the 63X, the curvature at the top center shows - a "button" like center, and the rim is also not at the same plane. A nice demonstration of selective focusing to show the cross-sectional curvature of the top surface (lid of frustule). Thanks for posting.

[billbillt]

Great work.. Thanks for posting....

[75RR]

You have been practicing! :) Very nice work

[vasselle]

Bonjour
Superbes images
Cordialement seb

[zzffnn]

Very nice, thank you for sharing, Kurt!