Microscopic view of an Opal Gemstone

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======= Background Information =======
Opals! Photonic crystals! Structural color! Opals are examples of natural photonic crystals. They are composed of small silica nanoparticles ranging in size from 50-300nm, and packed tightly together in a semi-regular "lattice"

The individual silica nanoparticles (glass beads, basically) are clear, but when packed together in certain configurations can give rise to flashes of color. This is due to Bragg diffraction off the different layers in the opal, with different reflected photons interferring with each other.

Particle sizes: this is somewhat tricky to ascertain in a packed structure like this. Due to the radius of the tip, diameter of a particle is best determined by the height rather than the diameter. But in a substance with many layers, this is hard since you don't know where the "base" of the particle is. With some calibration you can use the diameter of the particle but I was too lazy to do that, so I just guestimated :)

For more information, check out Thought Emporium's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7MvGFX_VKo

Applied Science: https://www.youtube.com/user/bkraz333

======= Equipment and techniques =======
nGauge AFM from ICSPI: https://www.icspicorp.com/
Scans are post processed in Gwyddion (http://gwyddion.net/) and 3D images rendered in Blender
Microscope: "3.5X-180X Simul-Focal Stereo Zoom Microscope with 30W LED Illuminator" from Amscope

======= Timeline =======
0:00 Opals!
1:00 Thought Emporium & Applied Science
1:43 Opals from eBay
2:00 Polished face under AFM
2:56 Nanoparticles - 10x10um scan
3:51 4x4um scan
4:04 2x2um scan
4:13 500x500nm scan
4:36 Sharp tips

Видео Microscopic view of an Opal Gemstone канала Breaking Taps