Sulfur Double Circles Photomicrograph on Cradleboard by Monica Phillips
8" by 16"
Science is beautiful! This image is a photograph of Sulfur crystals. Sulfur is a element known for its bright yellow color and is found naturally in foods and minerals and essential for human health. It has many uses, from treating dandruff and acting as an early antibiotic in powder form. Sulfur is a vital component in proteins and other compounds, playing a critical role in biological processes. Pure sulfur powder is dissolved in xylene and mixed. A drop of the sulfur solution is placed onto a microscope slide and allowed to dry. As the slide dries, the sulfur very slowly forms crystals which may only be seen under a microscope. Sulfur has an optical property called birefringence which allows the crystals to act as tiny prisms. When polarized lenses are used, birefringent substances naturally appear as vibrant rainbow colors. None of the colors of this photomicrograph have been enhanced by Photoshop. Ten to 12 images were taken and focus-stacked (placed on top of each other and aligned) to sharpen the image. The print should last decades if kept out of direct sunlight. This is a limited-edition photo. Once sold it’s not printed again.