Diffraction Iridescence

"Truth may best be found at the cusp, where waves crash and colorful pebbles wash ashore." 

  This study began as a deep dive into image degradation due to small aperture diffraction. When the ragged edge of raw light was explored through long-extension macro imaging, these astonishing colors appeared.

At the Edge of Light:
Macro image of 0.01" (0.254mm) graduations on a stainless steel machinist rule (inset at lower left corner). 10.66:1 macro ratio on Olympus OM-D E-M1II using 38mm f/2.8 OM Auto-Macro 1/8sec f/2.8 ISO320 w/ 405mm bellows. Not noise, but colorful diffraction iridescence coaxed from the metal's fine granular surface. The magnified ring is approximately 0.004" (0.1mm or 100,000nm) on the ruler. 

 
An Iridescent Penny Saved:
Macro image of 2022 US One Cent adjacent to the date numerals. Olympus OM-D E-M1II using 38mm f/2.8 OM Zuiko Auto-Macro 1/2sec f/2.8 ISO320 w/ 412mm Bellows, 10.8:1 macro ratio on original M4/3 image. Note the colorful, Airy disc diffraction pattern visible in the closeup circle (diameter ~0.0066" on penny) at the resolution limit of visible light. 

The Razor's Edge:
Macro of stainless steel utility knife blade, Olympus OM-D E-M1II using 38mm f/2.8 OM Zuiko Auto-Macro 1/80sec f/8 ISO320 w/ 285mm bellows, 7.5:1 macro ratio on M4/3. The ground edge of the blade is 0.0655", while the 0.002" honed edge is mirror smooth.

The "i" of an Apple:
The aluminum alloy shell of an iPhone has a texture exhibiting iridescence in colorful clumps. Olympus OM-D E-M1II using an 80mm OM Auto-Macro lens + matched 170mmCU 1/80sec f/5.6 w/ 423mm of bellows produced the image.

 
Aluminum Foil:
Matte side of aluminum foil, where sheets were milled facing together. 10.66:1 macro ratio, Olympus OM-D E-M1II with 38mm f/2.8 OM Zuiko Auto-Macro 1/160sec @f/2.8 w/ 405mm bellows length.

 
Brassiness of Light:
Abrasions in 1.5mm section of polished brass at macro ratio of 11.33:1 with magnified circle of 0.15mm in Micro Four Thirds image. Olympus OM-D E-M1II & 38mm f/2.8 OM Zuiko Auto-Macro lens. Exposure was 1/13sec at f/2.8 with 430mm bellows length.
 
JFK's Eye:
Eye of President Kennedy on 1964 silver US Half Dollar has a macro ratio of 11.4:1. Olympus OM-D E-M1II with 38mm 1/25sec @ f/2.8 OM Zuiko Auto-Macro with 420mm bellows length. The magnified area has a diameter of approximately 0.14mm or 0.0055".

Eye of Peacock Feather:
Pure color of iridescent feather exhibits Airy disk patterns at a macro ratio of 11.18:1. Olympus OM-D E-M1II with 38mm f/2.8 OM Zuiko Auto-Macro 1/13sec @f/2.8 w/ 425mm bellows length. 

 
FRACTURED STEEL:
Airy disks beyond & in focal plane of fractured tool steel. 10.48:1 macro ratio, Olympus OM-D E-M1 MkIII with 38mm f/2.8 OM Zuiko Auto-Macro 1/30sec @f/2.8 ISO 200 and 400mm bellows length.
 

 The Macro Setup:
The subject is placed on a microscope stage, frontally lighted, with the lens mounted on the Olympus OM Auto Bellows, which is attached to the copy stand. Added are an OM Telescopic Auto-Tube 65-116, two sets of OM Macro Tubes, OM to M4/3 adapter, topped by the camera body.

 
 
All images are original works by the author ©2023

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