Stereoscopic Photography in Transmitted Light Microscopy

Abstract

The present contribution describes two techniques for the efficient generation of scientifically useable 3D images. The first method is the production of stereo pairs by photographing a microscopic object from two slightly different perspectives, achieved by rotating the sample slide by 5-10°. The second method involves the generation of an image stack, where the focus plane is stepped through a transparent object. At each position of the focus plane a separate image is recorded. Stereo pairs or stacked images are subsequently converted to anaglyphs using specific computer software. Applicability of the described techniques is demonstrated with several examples.

Stereoscopic Effects from Single SEM Images

“…From each color code an individual image is reconstructed so that an image stack is produced at the end. This stack is used for the generation of the 3D image according to a well-defined procedure [10]. In general, two semi-images characterized by different focus planes show a stereoscopic deviation, where object points of the left image do not have exactly the same positions as corresponding object points of the right image.…”

“…In general, two semi-images characterized by different focus planes show a stereoscopic deviation, where object points of the left image do not have exactly the same positions as corresponding object points of the right image. As a consequence of this phenomenon, simultaneous viewing of both images as a stereo-pair produces a spatial effect due to the image fusion capability of the brain [7–10]. Concretely speaking, the brain cannot distinguish between viewing two images with different perspective of the object and watching the object itself.

Figure 2Concept of object-depth mapping and related 3D imaging offered by the computer program Picolay [9].

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“…As a consequence of this phenomenon, simultaneous viewing of both images as a stereo-pair produces a spatial effect due to the image fusion capability of the brain [7–10]. Concretely speaking, the brain cannot distinguish between viewing two images with different perspective of the object and watching the object itself.

Figure 2Concept of object-depth mapping and related 3D imaging offered by the computer program Picolay [9]. (a) Working space window with the raw image (conodont species Apsidognathus tuberculatus ) and menu bar, (b) computed depth map of the microscopic object, (c) resulting red-cyan anaglyph (basic photo from UCL MIRACLE).

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“…Concept of object-depth mapping and related 3D imaging offered by the computer program Picolay [9]. (a) Working space window with the raw image (conodont species Apsidognathus tuberculatus ) and menu bar, (b) computed depth map of the microscopic object, (c) resulting red-cyan anaglyph (basic photo from UCL MIRACLE).…”