Beneath
the
Crystal
Scope
TYPE: EXPERIMENTATION
DATE: 21—06—2023
PRACTICE(S): PHOTOGRAPHY, MICROSCOPY, CHEMISTRY
Crystallisation can happen in various contexts and in different substances. It is a physical process in which a material transitions from a disordered state to a more ordered, structured state. This process occurs when the particles of a substance, such as: molecules, ions, or atoms, come together in a regular, repeating pattern to form a solid crystal lattice. I became intrigued by this process after viewing it as it were happening under a microscope.
In order to promote crystal growth rapidly and consistently, I utilised a method in which varying contents are dissolved in water or alcohol and later left to dry on a microscopic slide. As the liquid evaporates, the original contents are allowed to recrystallise. A singular droplet will do the trick. All the showcased imagery involves a field of view of only millimetres.
Besides the crystallisation process, I took an interest in how these gems interact with light. Some crystals exhibit a property known as birefringence, or double refraction. When a beam of light passes through a crystal, it is split into two polarised rays with different refractive indices. These rays travel at different speeds and paths through the crystal, resulting in a noticeable separation when viewed under a microscope. As the microscope’s light passes through cross-polarisation (both the crystal and additional sources of polarisation), unique colouration occurs and beautiful images can be seen or captured. Below I’ve provided visual representations of how the light is manipulated.
Besides the crystallisation process, I took an interest in how these gems interact with light. Some crystals exhibit a property known as birefringence, or double refraction. When a beam of light passes through a crystal, it is split into two polarised rays with different refractive indices. These rays travel at different speeds and paths through the crystal, resulting in a noticeable separation when viewed under a microscope. As the microscope’s light passes through cross-polarisation (both the crystal and additional sources of polarisation), unique colouration occurs and beautiful images can be seen or captured. Below I’ve provided visual representations of how the light is manipulated.
Crystallisation can happen in various contexts and in different substances. It is a physical process in which a material transitions from a disordered state to a more ordered, structured state. This process occurs when the particles of a substance, such as: molecules, ions, or atoms, come together in a regular, repeating pattern to form a solid crystal lattice. I became intrigued by this process after viewing it as it were happening under a microscope.
In order to promote crystal growth rapidly and consistently, I utilised a method in which varying contents are dissolved in water or alcohol and later left to dry on a microscopic slide. As the liquid evaporates, the original contents are allowed to recrystallise. A singular droplet will do the trick. All the showcased imagery involves a field of view of only millimetres.