Lawson Scheinzypresse NewsFinally we managed to complete the first 13 pictures of a new series of cross sections of coniferous needles (auto fluorescence*)). The transections are between 35 and 50 μ. The images (panorama of 2 to 7 stacks) may consist of up to 700 single shots. In order to discover all the details, the images have to be extended to more than 1 m, which is unfortunately not possible in the Internet. However, some of them will be shown in an exhibition. 

For me the most amazing point is that images in such a quality would not have been possible last year. The reason for this step forward is the development of a new sensor technology (Nikon Z6) and a lens system placed in the UV-optical path of the microscope. This lens system concentrates the light to a smaller diameter. These two improvements helped to tackle two aspects of one problem. (1) originally up to 30 seconds were needed to take one picture and this long manipulation resulted in a depletion of the auto fluorescence when exposed to UV light. If only single shots are taken this behaviour is not recognized easily but if a panorama (series) is taken the activity has to be constant. With my equipment I can manage shutter times within 1 to 2 seconds, resulting in a massive reduction of the process and the first stack is identically to the last one (even if a stack consists of 100 single shots). 

Some technical details: Olympus objective UPLSAPO 4x, 10x, 20x und 40x; photo ocular 2,5 extension in the optical path and an additional tube extension.

100 W mercury lamp in APO lamphouse, with a fluorescence filter cube blue-wide.

 *) auto fluorescence: the material is stimulated with light (in my case above blue) and emits visible light back in the direction of the sensor.