Minerals & Fossils
Our stereo and research microscopes, combined with the corresponding image processing and analysis software, provide brilliant results for viewing the microstructures of fossils and minerals in 3D or analyzing thin sections.
Rock crystal (quartz) and rutile needles enclosed in rock crystal (quartz), from Minas Gerais, Brazil. Because of the light metallic lustre of the rutile needles (titanium oxide, TiO2), the trade name of this quartz variety is “platinum quartz”. The picture shows a first generation rock crystal inclusion that was enclosed by a second generation of quartz. Although the inclusion and the host material have the same refractive index, the enclosed quartz is easily recognizable due to a thin film of air at the interfaces. Width of image: approx. 6 mm, transmitted light, crossed polarizers, first-order red compensator. © Michael Hügi
Inclusion of a fly in Baltic amber. Amber is a fossil resin, and this sample originated about 35 – 40 million years ago in forests in what is now the Baltic region. Although amber is an amorphous substance and in theory optically isotropic, the flow structures of the resin due to internal strain as well as the strain caused by the inclusions can be visualised in polarised light. The use of polarized light and the first-order red compensator lead to intensive colours in the otherwise golden amber. Combination of darkfield and incident light (glass-fibre), crossed polarizers, red-1 compensator, HDRI tone mapping. © Michael Hügi
