Hi Sandro and others,

I've had good results using a flatbed scanner that includes the capability 
to scan in transmitted light (Epson V750pro, so probably similar to your 
scanner).  I think the pixel size at full resolution is about 6 um.  For 
our scanner, the key to avoiding blurry results is (just as you note) not 
to put the slide directly on the glass.  The holders for 35mm slides, 
negatives, etc. keep the film slightly above the glass, and the scan 
setting are designed for this distance when scanning in "film" mode.  A 
thin section can be balanced in the 35mm slide holder, giving a sharp 
image.  Using two polarizing films to produce XPL scans works well, though 
I haven't tried it with our current scanner.

Chris

On Fri, 27 Jan 2017, SANDRO MELI wrote:

> Dear all,
>
> I, too, tried to scan thin sections with "normal" scanner (an Epson mod. 
> Perfection V700), not so new, which "states" to reach 11800 dpi resolution 
> (see also Spear comments about this). However, my results were somewhat 
> defocused (I don't know why it should happen with a scanner, but the result 
> was this). Maybe the polarizer, held by an old 6x6 "traditional" slide 
> support,  would produce such an effect, keeping the thin section 1 mm away 
> from the scanner surface. If this list can give some hint, everyone should be 
> able to perform that scanning with "normal" scanners.
>
> Regards
>
> Sandro Meli
>
>
> ****************************************************************************
> *_Sandro Meli /Ph.D.
> /_*Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability
> *Università degli Studi di Parma
> *Parco Area delle Scienze 157/A
> 43124 - Parma
> ---------------------------------------------------
> Tel. +39-0521-905376
> Fax. +39-0521-905305
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]
> skype: aotearoa1964
> http://www.geo.unipr.it/meli/
> ORCID  0000-0002-4911-2957
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Il 27/01/2017 17.22, Carl Guilmette ha scritto:
>>
>>  Hi all,
>>
>>     I need a thin section scanner with crossed polars capacity, we're
>>  talking in the 4000 dpi ballpark. I know of the Nikon Super Coolscan5000
>>  but it's not in production anymore. Any recommendations?
>>
>>  Cheers
>>
>>  Carl
>>
>>  ____________________________________________
>>  Carl Guilmette, B.Eng. PhD.
>>  Professeur
>>  Metamorphic petrology and tectonics
>>  Université Laval
>
>
>

__
Chris Mattinson
Associate Professor & Graduate Program Coordinator
Department of Geological Sciences
Central Washington University
400 E. University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7418
Tel: 509.963.1628