DIY phase contrast annulus

[Smith, Benjamin E.]

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Hey Microscopists,
    A lab here has a nice phase objective but no annulus, so I decided to see if I could make one for them.  I measured the phase plate diameter at the focal plane, and printed out an annulus that lined-up perfectly.  However, too much light gets through the ink to be of much use, so I was wondering if anyone had experience with an easy way to make a fully opaque annulus.

Cheers,
   Ben Smith

Benjamin E. Smith, Ph.D.
Samuel Roberts Noble Microscopy Laboratory
Research Scientist, Confocal Facility Manager
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK 73019
E-mail: [hidden email]
Voice   405-325-4391
FAX  [phone]
http://www.microscopy.ou.edu/

[Craig Brideau]

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Have you considered printing multiple copies and stacking them to increase
contrast of the ring?

Craig

On Mon, Sep 28, 2015 at 5:53 PM, Smith, Benjamin E. <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Hey Microscopists,
>     A lab here has a nice phase objective but no annulus, so I decided to
> see if I could make one for them.  I measured the phase plate diameter at
> the focal plane, and printed out an annulus that lined-up perfectly.
> However, too much light gets through the ink to be of much use, so I was
> wondering if anyone had experience with an easy way to make a fully opaque
> annulus.
>
> Cheers,
>    Ben Smith
>
> Benjamin E. Smith, Ph.D.
> Samuel Roberts Noble Microscopy Laboratory
> Research Scientist, Confocal Facility Manager
> University of Oklahoma
> Norman, OK 73019
> E-mail: [hidden email]
> Voice   405-325-4391
> FAX  [phone]
> http://www.microscopy.ou.edu/

[Rusty Nicovich]

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*****

Ben,

You could use chemical etching to reproduce your printed annulus on a piece
of copper or brass.  Electronics DIYers make PC boards by laser printing a
pattern onto glossy paper, using an iron to transfer the toner to a piece
of copper-clad PC board, and the ferric chloride to etch away the copper.
Same principle will work on brass.  Takes some trial and error and a few
nasty chemicals, but is a great way to get high-resolution parts out of
sheet metal.

Another option is to have the annulus laser-cut.  Shouldn't cost more than
$20 for something annulus-sized.  Usually you need to supply the operator
with an Adobe Illustrator or other vector drawing format but you already
have the drawing.  The cutter here is run by the architecture design school
and their cutter has a resolution of ~300 microns.  Should be able to get
stainless steel or even powder-coated aluminum cut without too much
hassle.  This would be my preference since it requires less OH&S work on my
part.

Rusty

On Tue, Sep 29, 2015 at 9:53 AM, Smith, Benjamin E. <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Hey Microscopists,
>     A lab here has a nice phase objective but no annulus, so I decided to
> see if I could make one for them.  I measured the phase plate diameter at
> the focal plane, and printed out an annulus that lined-up perfectly.
> However, too much light gets through the ink to be of much use, so I was
> wondering if anyone had experience with an easy way to make a fully opaque
> annulus.
>
> Cheers,
>    Ben Smith
>
> Benjamin E. Smith, Ph.D.
> Samuel Roberts Noble Microscopy Laboratory
> Research Scientist, Confocal Facility Manager
> University of Oklahoma
> Norman, OK 73019
> E-mail: [hidden email]
> Voice   405-325-4391
> FAX  [phone]
> http://www.microscopy.ou.edu/

[JOEL B. SHEFFIELD]

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*****

We have made Hoffman condensers using aluminum foil.  I see no reason that
you couldn't do something similar, using the mask that you have generated,
to carefully cut out the ring in a sheet of aluminum that is already tacked
down to a piece of glass.

Joel



Joel B. Sheffield, Ph.D
Department of Biology
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Voice: 215 204 8839
e-mail: [hidden email]
URL:  *http://tinyurl.com/khbouft <http://tinyurl.com/khbouft>*

On Mon, Sep 28, 2015 at 8:56 PM, Rusty Nicovich <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Ben,
>
> You could use chemical etching to reproduce your printed annulus on a piece
> of copper or brass.  Electronics DIYers make PC boards by laser printing a
> pattern onto glossy paper, using an iron to transfer the toner to a piece
> of copper-clad PC board, and the ferric chloride to etch away the copper.
> Same principle will work on brass.  Takes some trial and error and a few
> nasty chemicals, but is a great way to get high-resolution parts out of
> sheet metal.
>
> Another option is to have the annulus laser-cut.  Shouldn't cost more than
> $20 for something annulus-sized.  Usually you need to supply the operator
> with an Adobe Illustrator or other vector drawing format but you already
> have the drawing.  The cutter here is run by the architecture design school
> and their cutter has a resolution of ~300 microns.  Should be able to get
> stainless steel or even powder-coated aluminum cut without too much
> hassle.  This would be my preference since it requires less OH&S work on my
> part.
>
> Rusty
>
> On Tue, Sep 29, 2015 at 9:53 AM, Smith, Benjamin E. <[hidden email]
> >
> wrote:
>
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> > Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> posting.
> > *****
> >
> > Hey Microscopists,
> >     A lab here has a nice phase objective but no annulus, so I decided to
> > see if I could make one for them.  I measured the phase plate diameter at
> > the focal plane, and printed out an annulus that lined-up perfectly.
> > However, too much light gets through the ink to be of much use, so I was
> > wondering if anyone had experience with an easy way to make a fully
> opaque
> > annulus.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >    Ben Smith
> >
> > Benjamin E. Smith, Ph.D.
> > Samuel Roberts Noble Microscopy Laboratory
> > Research Scientist, Confocal Facility Manager
> > University of Oklahoma
> > Norman, OK 73019
> > E-mail: [hidden email]
> > Voice   405-325-4391
> > FAX  [phone]
> > http://www.microscopy.ou.edu/
>

[Guy Cox-2]

This all seems really over the top.  I made one simply by drawing it with Indian ink on optical glass.  I cleaned the pattern off an old one which didn't match any objective I had, and used a Rotring pen to draw the inner and outer circles with a compass, then inked in around them.  Of course it took care, but microscopists are surely used to delicate work.  Cost - zilch.  This was 35 years ago -  I still have it and anyone is  welcome to visit and try it.  

                                       Guy

Guy Cox, Honorary Associate Professor
School of Medical Sciences

Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis,
Madsen, F09, University of Sydney, NSW 2006

-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of JOEL B. SHEFFIELD
Sent: Tuesday, 29 September 2015 11:29 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: DIY phase contrast annulus

*****
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*****

We have made Hoffman condensers using aluminum foil.  I see no reason that you couldn't do something similar, using the mask that you have generated, to carefully cut out the ring in a sheet of aluminum that is already tacked down to a piece of glass.

Joel



Joel B. Sheffield, Ph.D
Department of Biology
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Voice: 215 204 8839
e-mail: [hidden email]
URL:  *http://tinyurl.com/khbouft <http://tinyurl.com/khbouft>*

On Mon, Sep 28, 2015 at 8:56 PM, Rusty Nicovich <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Ben,
>
> You could use chemical etching to reproduce your printed annulus on a
> piece of copper or brass.  Electronics DIYers make PC boards by laser
> printing a pattern onto glossy paper, using an iron to transfer the
> toner to a piece of copper-clad PC board, and the ferric chloride to etch away the copper.
> Same principle will work on brass.  Takes some trial and error and a
> few nasty chemicals, but is a great way to get high-resolution parts
> out of sheet metal.
>
> Another option is to have the annulus laser-cut.  Shouldn't cost more
> than
> $20 for something annulus-sized.  Usually you need to supply the
> operator with an Adobe Illustrator or other vector drawing format but
> you already have the drawing.  The cutter here is run by the
> architecture design school and their cutter has a resolution of ~300
> microns.  Should be able to get stainless steel or even powder-coated
> aluminum cut without too much hassle.  This would be my preference
> since it requires less OH&S work on my part.
>
> Rusty
>
> On Tue, Sep 29, 2015 at 9:53 AM, Smith, Benjamin E.
> <[hidden email]
> >
> wrote:
>
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> > Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> posting.
> > *****
> >
> > Hey Microscopists,
> >     A lab here has a nice phase objective but no annulus, so I
> > decided to see if I could make one for them.  I measured the phase
> > plate diameter at the focal plane, and printed out an annulus that lined-up perfectly.
> > However, too much light gets through the ink to be of much use, so I
> > was wondering if anyone had experience with an easy way to make a
> > fully
> opaque
> > annulus.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >    Ben Smith
> >
> > Benjamin E. Smith, Ph.D.
> > Samuel Roberts Noble Microscopy Laboratory Research Scientist,
> > Confocal Facility Manager University of Oklahoma Norman, OK 73019
> > E-mail: [hidden email]
> > Voice   405-325-4391
> > FAX  [phone]
> > http://www.microscopy.ou.edu/
>

[Julian Smith III]

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*****

I've made them with black varnish on an old phase-plate.  Mount in
lathe, score the dried varnish on the inside and outside edges of the
ring, and clean away the excess with a soft-steel scraper.
Julian

On 9/28/15 9:29 PM, JOEL B. SHEFFIELD wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lists.umn.edu_cgi-2Dbin_wa-3FA0-3Dconfocalmicroscopy&d=BQIBaQ&c=82NFg6qkAwmLf-ElsTDuMzmUibVPgLssK8WcsyJgSiA&r=D67eBmNxz222Vdk0xqrsRlq4A21dYeahvvFbxFeCvQc&m=z2XJWKDxo9uW6sTc_-WVXTyJF8PmW5twCQnydbx1UoA&s=fnDVZTxTXik8cNqRLFQ1c8kIX_K6l1TVRvALASeH6x0&e=
> Post images on https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.imgur.com&d=BQIBaQ&c=82NFg6qkAwmLf-ElsTDuMzmUibVPgLssK8WcsyJgSiA&r=D67eBmNxz222Vdk0xqrsRlq4A21dYeahvvFbxFeCvQc&m=z2XJWKDxo9uW6sTc_-WVXTyJF8PmW5twCQnydbx1UoA&s=iyTKm-29d0U1wdtQ2QJUgHsbQTqvB21iUFRYRCKGNTM&e=  and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> We have made Hoffman condensers using aluminum foil.  I see no reason that
> you couldn't do something similar, using the mask that you have generated,
> to carefully cut out the ring in a sheet of aluminum that is already tacked
> down to a piece of glass.
>
> Joel
>
>
>
> Joel B. Sheffield, Ph.D
> Department of Biology
> Temple University
> Philadelphia, PA 19122
> Voice: 215 204 8839
> e-mail: [hidden email]
> URL:  *https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__tinyurl.com_khbouft&d=BQIBaQ&c=82NFg6qkAwmLf-ElsTDuMzmUibVPgLssK8WcsyJgSiA&r=D67eBmNxz222Vdk0xqrsRlq4A21dYeahvvFbxFeCvQc&m=z2XJWKDxo9uW6sTc_-WVXTyJF8PmW5twCQnydbx1UoA&s=anmyvSvM5ZU5pMYk604oe2P2pfngnGg68Z4QH-0yPBk&e=  <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__tinyurl.com_khbouft&d=BQIBaQ&c=82NFg6qkAwmLf-ElsTDuMzmUibVPgLssK8WcsyJgSiA&r=D67eBmNxz222Vdk0xqrsRlq4A21dYeahvvFbxFeCvQc&m=z2XJWKDxo9uW6sTc_-WVXTyJF8PmW5twCQnydbx1UoA&s=anmyvSvM5ZU5pMYk604oe2P2pfngnGg68Z4QH-0yPBk&e= >*
>
> On Mon, Sep 28, 2015 at 8:56 PM, Rusty Nicovich <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
>> *****
>> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lists.umn.edu_cgi-2Dbin_wa-3FA0-3Dconfocalmicroscopy&d=BQIBaQ&c=82NFg6qkAwmLf-ElsTDuMzmUibVPgLssK8WcsyJgSiA&r=D67eBmNxz222Vdk0xqrsRlq4A21dYeahvvFbxFeCvQc&m=z2XJWKDxo9uW6sTc_-WVXTyJF8PmW5twCQnydbx1UoA&s=fnDVZTxTXik8cNqRLFQ1c8kIX_K6l1TVRvALASeH6x0&e=
>> Post images on https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.imgur.com&d=BQIBaQ&c=82NFg6qkAwmLf-ElsTDuMzmUibVPgLssK8WcsyJgSiA&r=D67eBmNxz222Vdk0xqrsRlq4A21dYeahvvFbxFeCvQc&m=z2XJWKDxo9uW6sTc_-WVXTyJF8PmW5twCQnydbx1UoA&s=iyTKm-29d0U1wdtQ2QJUgHsbQTqvB21iUFRYRCKGNTM&e=  and include the link in your posting.
>> *****
>>
>> Ben,
>>
>> You could use chemical etching to reproduce your printed annulus on a piece
>> of copper or brass.  Electronics DIYers make PC boards by laser printing a
>> pattern onto glossy paper, using an iron to transfer the toner to a piece
>> of copper-clad PC board, and the ferric chloride to etch away the copper.
>> Same principle will work on brass.  Takes some trial and error and a few
>> nasty chemicals, but is a great way to get high-resolution parts out of
>> sheet metal.
>>
>> Another option is to have the annulus laser-cut.  Shouldn't cost more than
>> $20 for something annulus-sized.  Usually you need to supply the operator
>> with an Adobe Illustrator or other vector drawing format but you already
>> have the drawing.  The cutter here is run by the architecture design school
>> and their cutter has a resolution of ~300 microns.  Should be able to get
>> stainless steel or even powder-coated aluminum cut without too much
>> hassle.  This would be my preference since it requires less OH&S work on my
>> part.
>>
>> Rusty
>>
>> On Tue, Sep 29, 2015 at 9:53 AM, Smith, Benjamin E. <[hidden email]
>> wrote:
>>
>>> *****
>>> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>>> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lists.umn.edu_cgi-2Dbin_wa-3FA0-3Dconfocalmicroscopy&d=BQIBaQ&c=82NFg6qkAwmLf-ElsTDuMzmUibVPgLssK8WcsyJgSiA&r=D67eBmNxz222Vdk0xqrsRlq4A21dYeahvvFbxFeCvQc&m=z2XJWKDxo9uW6sTc_-WVXTyJF8PmW5twCQnydbx1UoA&s=fnDVZTxTXik8cNqRLFQ1c8kIX_K6l1TVRvALASeH6x0&e=
>>> Post images on https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.imgur.com&d=BQIBaQ&c=82NFg6qkAwmLf-ElsTDuMzmUibVPgLssK8WcsyJgSiA&r=D67eBmNxz222Vdk0xqrsRlq4A21dYeahvvFbxFeCvQc&m=z2XJWKDxo9uW6sTc_-WVXTyJF8PmW5twCQnydbx1UoA&s=iyTKm-29d0U1wdtQ2QJUgHsbQTqvB21iUFRYRCKGNTM&e=  and include the link in your
>> posting.
>>> *****
>>>
>>> Hey Microscopists,
>>>      A lab here has a nice phase objective but no annulus, so I decided to
>>> see if I could make one for them.  I measured the phase plate diameter at
>>> the focal plane, and printed out an annulus that lined-up perfectly.
>>> However, too much light gets through the ink to be of much use, so I was
>>> wondering if anyone had experience with an easy way to make a fully
>> opaque
>>> annulus.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>>     Ben Smith
>>>
>>> Benjamin E. Smith, Ph.D.
>>> Samuel Roberts Noble Microscopy Laboratory
>>> Research Scientist, Confocal Facility Manager
>>> University of Oklahoma
>>> Norman, OK 73019
>>> E-mail: [hidden email]
>>> Voice   405-325-4391
>>> FAX  [phone]
>>> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.microscopy.ou.edu_&d=BQIBaQ&c=82NFg6qkAwmLf-ElsTDuMzmUibVPgLssK8WcsyJgSiA&r=D67eBmNxz222Vdk0xqrsRlq4A21dYeahvvFbxFeCvQc&m=z2XJWKDxo9uW6sTc_-WVXTyJF8PmW5twCQnydbx1UoA&s=p_0y79O5jdi7KzRZbwmTjiLndLyC_vBP36Ei5qFliIA&e=

--
Julian P.S. Smith III
Director, Winthrop Microscopy Facility
Dept. of Biology
Winthrop University
349 Columbia Ave
Rock Hill, SC  29733

803-323-2111 x6427 (vox)
803-323-3448 (fax)
803-524-2347 (cell)
Research Website www.birdnest.org/smithj
Personal Website www.rociada-east.net

[Leoncio Vergara-2]

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*****

Seems a lot of high salaried personnel spending time on a relatively cheap
microscope accessory ($80?)... just sayin ... don't want to ruin the fun

On Tue, Sep 29, 2015 at 5:54 AM, Guy Cox <[hidden email]> wrote:

> This all seems really over the top.  I made one simply by drawing it with
> Indian ink on optical glass.  I cleaned the pattern off an old one which
> didn't match any objective I had, and used a Rotring pen to draw the inner
> and outer circles with a compass, then inked in around them.  Of course it
> took care, but microscopists are surely used to delicate work.  Cost -
> zilch.  This was 35 years ago -  I still have it and anyone is  welcome to
> visit and try it.
>
>                                        Guy
>
> Guy Cox, Honorary Associate Professor
> School of Medical Sciences
>
> Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis,
> Madsen, F09, University of Sydney, NSW 2006
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]]
> On Behalf Of JOEL B. SHEFFIELD
> Sent: Tuesday, 29 September 2015 11:29 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: DIY phase contrast annulus
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> We have made Hoffman condensers using aluminum foil.  I see no reason that
> you couldn't do something similar, using the mask that you have generated,
> to carefully cut out the ring in a sheet of aluminum that is already tacked
> down to a piece of glass.
>
> Joel
>
>
>
> Joel B. Sheffield, Ph.D
> Department of Biology
> Temple University
> Philadelphia, PA 19122
> Voice: 215 204 8839
> e-mail: [hidden email]
> URL:  *http://tinyurl.com/khbouft <http://tinyurl.com/khbouft>*
>
> On Mon, Sep 28, 2015 at 8:56 PM, Rusty Nicovich <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> > Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> posting.
> > *****
> >
> > Ben,
> >
> > You could use chemical etching to reproduce your printed annulus on a
> > piece of copper or brass.  Electronics DIYers make PC boards by laser
> > printing a pattern onto glossy paper, using an iron to transfer the
> > toner to a piece of copper-clad PC board, and the ferric chloride to
> etch away the copper.
> > Same principle will work on brass.  Takes some trial and error and a
> > few nasty chemicals, but is a great way to get high-resolution parts
> > out of sheet metal.
> >
> > Another option is to have the annulus laser-cut.  Shouldn't cost more
> > than
> > $20 for something annulus-sized.  Usually you need to supply the
> > operator with an Adobe Illustrator or other vector drawing format but
> > you already have the drawing.  The cutter here is run by the
> > architecture design school and their cutter has a resolution of ~300
> > microns.  Should be able to get stainless steel or even powder-coated
> > aluminum cut without too much hassle.  This would be my preference
> > since it requires less OH&S work on my part.
> >
> > Rusty
> >
> > On Tue, Sep 29, 2015 at 9:53 AM, Smith, Benjamin E.
> > <[hidden email]
> > >
> > wrote:
> >
> > > *****
> > > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > > http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> > > Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> > posting.
> > > *****
> > >
> > > Hey Microscopists,
> > >     A lab here has a nice phase objective but no annulus, so I
> > > decided to see if I could make one for them.  I measured the phase
> > > plate diameter at the focal plane, and printed out an annulus that
> lined-up perfectly.
> > > However, too much light gets through the ink to be of much use, so I
> > > was wondering if anyone had experience with an easy way to make a
> > > fully
> > opaque
> > > annulus.
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > >    Ben Smith
> > >
> > > Benjamin E. Smith, Ph.D.
> > > Samuel Roberts Noble Microscopy Laboratory Research Scientist,
> > > Confocal Facility Manager University of Oklahoma Norman, OK 73019
> > > E-mail: [hidden email]
> > > Voice   405-325-4391
> > > FAX  [phone]
> > > http://www.microscopy.ou.edu/
> >
>

[Kathleen Pullin]

*****
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*****

>Seems a lot of high salaried personnel spending time on a relatively cheap
microscope accessory ($80?)... just sayin ... don't want to ruin the fun

(Just finished my degree, going to code school, job-hunting
starving-artist, so, my 2 cents is cheap.)

How about three-d printing one? The new printers are great, no reason you
couldn't print it on a slide, and you could meet some technicians and
coders at the local maker space to guide you through it, they'd have fun,
and you may have some more ideas for 3-d printing; or if your school has
one you could do it on campus.

India ink, as Guy suggests, does work well on glass, though--I use it for
my glass negatives, and it is opaque to my enlarger light for very long
exposures.

Kleo Pullin

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kleo Pullin
Denver, CO
[hidden email]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kleopullin
https://twitter.com/resolvingdust

On Tue, Sep 29, 2015 at 10:31 AM, Leoncio Vergara <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
> -----------------------
> Sender:       Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]>
> Poster:       Leoncio Vergara <[hidden email]>
> Subject:      Re: DIY phase contrast annulus
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Seems a lot of high salaried personnel spending time on a relatively cheap
> microscope accessory ($80?)... just sayin ... don't want to ruin the fun
>
> On Tue, Sep 29, 2015 at 5:54 AM, Guy Cox <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> > This all seems really over the top.  I made one simply by drawing it with
> > Indian ink on optical glass.  I cleaned the pattern off an old one which
> > didn't match any objective I had, and used a Rotring pen to draw the
> inner
> > and outer circles with a compass, then inked in around them.  Of course
> it
> > took care, but microscopists are surely used to delicate work.  Cost -
> > zilch.  This was 35 years ago -  I still have it and anyone is  welcome
> to
> > visit and try it.
> >
> >                                        Guy
> >
> > Guy Cox, Honorary Associate Professor
> > School of Medical Sciences
> >
> > Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis,
> > Madsen, F09, University of Sydney, NSW 2006
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]]
> > On Behalf Of JOEL B. SHEFFIELD
> > Sent: Tuesday, 29 September 2015 11:29 AM
> > To: [hidden email]
> > Subject: Re: DIY phase contrast annulus
> >
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> > Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> posting.
> > *****
> >
> > We have made Hoffman condensers using aluminum foil.  I see no reason
> that
> > you couldn't do something similar, using the mask that you have
> generated,
> > to carefully cut out the ring in a sheet of aluminum that is already
> tacked
> > down to a piece of glass.
> >
> > Joel
> >
> >
> >
> > Joel B. Sheffield, Ph.D
> > Department of Biology
> > Temple University
> > Philadelphia, PA 19122
> > Voice: 215 204 8839
> > e-mail: [hidden email]
> > URL:  *http://tinyurl.com/khbouft <http://tinyurl.com/khbouft>*
> >
> > On Mon, Sep 28, 2015 at 8:56 PM, Rusty Nicovich <[hidden email]
> >
> > wrote:
> >
> > > *****
> > > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > > http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> > > Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> > posting.
> > > *****
> > >
> > > Ben,
> > >
> > > You could use chemical etching to reproduce your printed annulus on a
> > > piece of copper or brass.  Electronics DIYers make PC boards by laser
> > > printing a pattern onto glossy paper, using an iron to transfer the
> > > toner to a piece of copper-clad PC board, and the ferric chloride to
> > etch away the copper.
> > > Same principle will work on brass.  Takes some trial and error and a
> > > few nasty chemicals, but is a great way to get high-resolution parts
> > > out of sheet metal.
> > >
> > > Another option is to have the annulus laser-cut.  Shouldn't cost more
> > > than
> > > $20 for something annulus-sized.  Usually you need to supply the
> > > operator with an Adobe Illustrator or other vector drawing format but
> > > you already have the drawing.  The cutter here is run by the
> > > architecture design school and their cutter has a resolution of ~300
> > > microns.  Should be able to get stainless steel or even powder-coated
> > > aluminum cut without too much hassle.  This would be my preference
> > > since it requires less OH&S work on my part.
> > >
> > > Rusty
> > >
> > > On Tue, Sep 29, 2015 at 9:53 AM, Smith, Benjamin E.
> > > <[hidden email]
> > > >
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > > *****
> > > > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > > > http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> > > > Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> > > posting.
> > > > *****
> > > >
> > > > Hey Microscopists,
> > > >     A lab here has a nice phase objective but no annulus, so I
> > > > decided to see if I could make one for them.  I measured the phase
> > > > plate diameter at the focal plane, and printed out an annulus that
> > lined-up perfectly.
> > > > However, too much light gets through the ink to be of much use, so I
> > > > was wondering if anyone had experience with an easy way to make a
> > > > fully
> > > opaque
> > > > annulus.
> > > >
> > > > Cheers,
> > > >    Ben Smith
> > > >
> > > > Benjamin E. Smith, Ph.D.
> > > > Samuel Roberts Noble Microscopy Laboratory Research Scientist,
> > > > Confocal Facility Manager University of Oklahoma Norman, OK 73019
> > > > E-mail: [hidden email]
> > > > Voice   405-325-4391
> > > > FAX  [phone]
> > > > http://www.microscopy.ou.edu/
> > >
> >
>

[Smith, Benjamin E.]

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
*****

So, I tried reprinting the same image twice on a laser printer compatible transparency and it worked great.  The background is a little blue due to the residual light transmitting through the ink, but the phase contrast image is top notch!  The best part is we can make replacement annuli at about $0.001 per annulus and in about 1 minute to both print and cut out , rather than the going market rate of $200 and a couple days in shipping.

Thanks for all the input,
   Ben Smith
________________________________________
From: Confocal Microscopy List [[hidden email]] on behalf of Smith, Benjamin E. [[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, September 28, 2015 6:53 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: DIY phase contrast annulus

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
*****

Hey Microscopists,
    A lab here has a nice phase objective but no annulus, so I decided to see if I could make one for them.  I measured the phase plate diameter at the focal plane, and printed out an annulus that lined-up perfectly.  However, too much light gets through the ink to be of much use, so I was wondering if anyone had experience with an easy way to make a fully opaque annulus.

Cheers,
   Ben Smith

Benjamin E. Smith, Ph.D.
Samuel Roberts Noble Microscopy Laboratory
Research Scientist, Confocal Facility Manager
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK 73019
E-mail: [hidden email]
Voice   405-325-4391
FAX  [phone]
http://www.microscopy.ou.edu/