I do realise by now that brightfield illumination can be a bit plain with regards to imaging work with microscopes. However, recently Ive noticed some images that have a blue background. And the subject matter appears overall more colourful too. Very striking. I was wondering what type of lighting (or other techniques) are employed to achieve this?
There are some examples of this effect in this impressive video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W68XfPVqAEE
Blue background in microscopic images?
Moderators: rjlittlefield, ChrisR, Chris S., Pau
HI
to answer your question: the video used the technique of DIC. If you translate the objective DIC slider counterclockwise, you will first see a darkfield like image then grey ( best for pseudo 3D), IF you continue, you would see a series of color from yellow to red to purple to blue and to green. the author of the video stopped at blue or green color.
It is a little difficult to understand without actually using the DIC equipments. I too find that blue color is more pleasing than the "regular" grey pseudo 3D, but the subjects does lose some contrast in blue color.
the second option is to use DIC and compensators, I can achieve the blue background with the combination of one wavelength compensator and a 1/4 wave. depends on the subjects, these combination of technique are quite helpful.
hope this helps. Sam
to answer your question: the video used the technique of DIC. If you translate the objective DIC slider counterclockwise, you will first see a darkfield like image then grey ( best for pseudo 3D), IF you continue, you would see a series of color from yellow to red to purple to blue and to green. the author of the video stopped at blue or green color.
It is a little difficult to understand without actually using the DIC equipments. I too find that blue color is more pleasing than the "regular" grey pseudo 3D, but the subjects does lose some contrast in blue color.
the second option is to use DIC and compensators, I can achieve the blue background with the combination of one wavelength compensator and a 1/4 wave. depends on the subjects, these combination of technique are quite helpful.
hope this helps. Sam
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dragonblade
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Thankyou both of you. I have heard of the term DIC but had not investigated it as yet. I'll look up "Rheinberg illumination" as well. Can staining produce a blue background with sufficient contrast while using standard brightfield illumination? If so, could staining be used in a sample of pond water without any negative effects to the organisms?