Color Representation of Electron Microprobe Area-Scan Images by a Color Separation Process

Composite color photographs were prepared using x-ray area scanned images from the electron probe microanalyzer. Three-color composites are completely interpretable in terms of the primary color (red, green or blue) chosen to represent each element. The color pictures were obtained by preparing conventional black-and-white scanning images which were then used as color-separation-positives, with appropriate filters, to make color prints. Methods for preparing and interpreting color composites are considered. Specifically, color mixing, proper choice of filters to match film characteristics, exposure criteria, and choice for each partial image are discussed in detail. Finally, typical applications drawn from the fields of metallurgy, mineralogy, and biology are shown to illustrate the principles described. With the use of Polaroid film this procedure is quite convenient.