Nomarski Prism

Currently, differential interference contrast (DIC) method has been widely applied in microscopic observation of small-contrast objects, and allows to observe them in the form of illumination or color variations. At the same time, the object seems prominent. The main optical components which provides this method of observation, is Nomarski prism with forward plain of localization of interferential ribbon, which allows to use micro-objectives of any opertures with exit pupils, located at different distance from the supporting plain. Nomarski prism consists of two glued wedges of crystalline quartz, where the optical axis of the first wedge forms a certain angle with the entering plain and is transverse to the edge of the wedge, and the optical axis of the second wedge is parallel to the edge of the wedge. For applying DIC method, it is necessary to have specially calculated Nomarski prisms. At the same time, leg edges of the triangular section of the both wedges directed along the system axis, are rather small (7- 10 times smaller than the two other edges) which provides possibility for localization of interferential ribbons beyond the prism, which allows to set the microscope easily.

You may be interested in reading about:
- Nomarski Prisms for DIC-Microscopy
- Senarmon compensators in DIC-microscopy