Lab Capabilties
Scanning Electron Microscopy
BRC's scanning electron microscopes, a conventional tungsten-gun Jeol 6100 and a field-emission Jeol 840F, offer higher resolution than optical microscopes, and have EDS atomic analysis capability. The 840F operates at high resolution even at very low accelerating potential, allowing observation of nonconductive specimens, such as fractured plastics, without the need for coating.
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Metallography
Materialography, including metallography, at BRC is performed with an upright compound microscope, the fabled Olympus AX70. This allows unencumbered observation of the entire specimen, a luxury not afforded by conventional inverted metallographs. The AX70 is fully equipped for BF, DF, DIC, polarized, and cross-polarized observation techniques. In addition, a second objective turret has a full range of apochromatic objectives, with 20x and higher oil immersion for maximum numerical aperture, and concomitant highest possible resolution. Image capture, as shown below, utilizes a custom SLR adapter and a full-frame Canon SLR, typically an EOS-1Ds Mark II.
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Stereo Microscopy
The stereo microscope is the most universal tool in forensic science. The one shown above, an Olympus SZH10, is BRC's production stereo microscope, mounted on a stout, motor-driven elevator that offers unparalleled speed and convenience. This microscope is also equipped with a unique objective turret manufactured here at BRC. In addition to the conventional Olympus DF mount, it also accommodates Zeiss objectives, including the magnificent 1.6x Plan-Apochromat S. Image capture, as with the compound microscope, uses a custom camera adapter and Phase One software.
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Wood Science
Above is a Heidelberg microtome, used for fine sectioning of a range of polymer and life-science specimens for transmissive microscopic observation. Below are microtomed wood specimens prepared by the noted slide preparator, Ernie Ives of England.
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Rollout Photography
Rollout photos show the round surface of cylinders as if they were "rolled out" flat. This is useful in several applications, including showing heat patterns on cylindrical surfaces such as water heaters. Our system uses a Sinar P2 studio camera with micrometer-controlled swings and shifts, a Betterlight scanning back, and a Linhoff Gigant studio stand (soon to be retrofitted with a servo elevator).
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High Speed Photography
These balloon popping photos are triggered with a microphone and captured with a Redlake ES11000 whose interline-transfer CCD boasts an 8 microsecond shutter lag. Illumination is provided by Palflash or Microflash open-spark, capacitive-discharge units of the type made famous by the original high-speed photographer, the late Prof. Harold Edgerton. The shutter lag is negligible compared to the time it takes for the sound from the bursting balloon to reach the microphone, only a few centimeters away. Interline imagers eliminate the oppressive requirement to operate the experiment in total darkness The multi-ligament pops occur when the balloon is filled to it burst pressure. This same system is immediately suitable to high-resolution imaging of bullets in flight.
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