210 



Subsurface Geologic Methods 



4. The behavior of the oil and extracts during preparation would 

 be studied, and the reactions to the high vacuums and to the electron 

 bombardment observed. 



5. The R.C.A. engineers and research physicists have photographed 

 what they believe to be giant molecules in the electron microscope. Mole- 

 cules of crude oil are believed to be disposed in some sort of regular pat- 

 tern and may be quite large. Perhaps actual molecular differences may 

 be found in crude oils, in the extracts, or in the various fractions that 

 may be used for correlation. 



Paleontologic Studies 



Generally speaking, paleontologic specimens are too large for study 

 in the electron microscope. It should be valuable, however, in studying 



A 



B 



Figure 90. A — Comparison of photograph of diatom shell under light 

 microscope (left) and electron microscope (right) (X 5,000). 

 The light-microscope picture indicates presence of rows of holes, 

 but the electron microscope shows size and arrangement of 

 these rows of holes. Holes are approximately 0.5fx in diameter, 

 separated in the row by a distance of 0.2\i. The rows themselves 

 are approximately 0.9^ apart. B — Corresponding photographs of 

 diatom shells as in A. Light-microscope picture (left) shows 

 bars in shell and hints at presence of openings in the slots. 

 Electron-microscope picture (right) shows clearly the small 

 holes approximately 0.14(j, in diameter. Rows are about 0.2n 

 apart. (Taken from Burton and Kohl.) 



details of fossils too small for study under a light microscope, such as 

 diatoms, spores, algae, and some protozoans. A comparison of diatom 

 shells photographed with a light microscope and the electron microscope 

 (fig. 90) shows that under the light microscope the number and arrange- 

 ment of the perforations can hardly be determined, while the electron 

 microscope indicates clearly the detail, arrangement, and number of 

 perforations. 



Conclusion 



The electron microscope has opened up a new realm of research and 

 endeavor. It is being adapted to a great number of scientific fields both 

 for research and for industrial purposes. Future developments should 



