Record grooves under an electron microscope

I'm with Donaudio. This is the tool to use to evaluate different Lp cleaning methods and products.

It could also be used to diagnose different Pressing flaws. Or to evaluate injuries. Mold growth, etc.

-Steve

The "magnified further still" link is funny.

Cheapest electron microscpe used $25,000 but for a GOOD used one cough up $350,000.

Are the grooves really that small?

Electron microscopes are certainly the cutting edge, but maybe other more accessible kinds of microscopes or magnification devices could produce similar images for evaluation if one were interested enough to try?

according to wikipedia:

"The (electron) microscope has a greater resolving power (magnification) than a light-powered optical microscope, because it uses electrons that have wavelengths about 100,000 times shorter than visible light (photons), and can achieve magnifications of up to 1,000,000x, whereas light microscopes are limited to 1000x magnification."

I think 1000X magnification would do it well for record groove details.

I have access to an electron microscope at work and would be glad to take a couple pictures if someone has interest.

The only problem is that to get a decent image on something like vinyl you really need to sputter a little gold on first and I don't have a machine to do that.

Mark