USE OF CONFOCAL MICROSCOPY IN THE SEARCH FOR OPTICAL COUNTERPARTS TO GAMMA-RAY BURSTS

A number of star-like images have been found on archival photographic plates, however there is debate as to whether these are optical emissi ons relating to Gamma-Ray bursts, or simply plate defects. Results fro m photographic science are summarized so that the characteristic shape of different types of images on photographic plates can be theoretica lly predicted. Explanation for the formation of the relief image and r easons for its continued study are described. New methods in the use o f laser scanning confocal microscopy are presented to study the relief image and the depthwise disposition of silver so that a test procedur e can be established to end the speculation surrounding the astrophysi cal truth of stellar-like images on photographic plates.