Computer chips ~ My entry to POBphotocontest: TECHNOLOGY

This week's topic in the photo contest by @friendlymoose is a very interesting one - technology. I nearly missed the deadline, but thankfully I remembered on time. Sadly, last week I had prepared a photo but when I realised that I should post it, it was too late.

So, here is my entry to the contest - a closeup of a computer chip. I love technology and I'm fascinated by the beautiful iridescence that the silicon surface creates when light shines on it.

I don't actually remember exactly what device this comes from. It might have been a memory card controller or from a hard drive, not sure.

Extracting chips is actually very difficult and the success rate isn't impressive. Chips are coated in black epoxy, which resists pretty much any chemical. The results are well worth the effort, though. Take a look at another chip.

And one more. The angle of incidence of the light produces different colours. The photos below are of the same chip. Without the direct light, it looks just like an ordinary silvery object.

Also, you probably noticed that these are really small. You can see the imperfections of the printed barcode. I used a reversed wide-angle lens in order to achieve a decent magnification. Taking the actual photos is not particularly easier than reaching the silicon. The depth of field is less than a millimetre, and focusing can be done by simply stepping closer or further away from the tripod. And no, I don't work on a carpet or any other soft surface.

It's a pity that some people assume that they can obtain gold from computer chips. The amounts are insignificant. It hurts to watch a video where somebody smashes a CPU with a hammer to obtain its pins...