SEM Micrographs

A Gallery of Scanning Electron Microscope Images

A collection of high-resolution micrographs captured with our restored JEOL JSM-6400 Scanning Electron Microscope. Explore the micro-world of insect eyes, digital mirrors, silicon chips, and butterfly scales.

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Two Ants: No conductive coating

These ants were collected and placed in 100% ethanol for a week. The ants were then placed inserted into the microscope without a conductive coating. They were observed under low electron beam accelerating voltages. In one micrograph, a sphericle can be seen. It is a breathing hole on the abdomen of the ant. Who knew!?

Digital Light Processing (DLP)

The DLP chip was scavanged from a projector TV off the side of the road. The DLP chip was made by Texas Instruments with 15µm mirrors.

Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM)

The M27C256B is a 256 Kbit (32Kb x 8) EPROM that is erasable via UV light exposure. This chio was ordered on Ebay and the UV exposure window was removed. X-rays of the chip were taken by a dental X-ray instrument while my brother was getting a cleaning.

Butterfly Wing

This wing was found on the ground. It was placed in the SEM without any preporation to be observed with low accelerating voltage.