Surface Tension Microscopy

Burkhard Neumann; Horst Engel; Bernd Schleifenbaum

doi:10.1117/12.962712

22 December 1989 Surface Tension Microscopy

Burkhard Neumann, Horst Engel, Bernd Schleifenbaum

Proceedings Volume 1161, New Methods in Microscopy and Low Light Imaging; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.962712
Event: 33rd Annual Technical Symposium, 1989, San Diego, United States

Abstract

A new microscopic technique will be presented for imaging surface topography and the locally varying surface tension of the object. With this technique it is possible to image the locally varying chemical composition of the specimen surface on a microscopic scale because the surface tension depends on the chemical composition. The imaging technique can be described as follows: By a simple preparation technique a thin (thickness several microns) liquid layer (e.g. immersion oil), is placed on the surface of the specimen. The resulting surface tension forces the boundary of the liquid layer to move. As the surface tension is a function of the location the boundary is modulated according to the magnitude of the surface tension at each place. Thus registering the shape of the moving boundary of the liquid layer at equidistant time intervals yields information on the specimen surface. The shape of the moving boundary is detected by a light microscope with differential interference contrast in combination with an image analysis system suited for real-time processing of image sequences in a threshold detection mode.

Citation Download Citation

Burkhard Neumann, Horst Engel, and Bernd Schleifenbaum "Surface Tension Microscopy", Proc. SPIE 1161, New Methods in Microscopy and Low Light Imaging, (22 December 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.962712

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available