Differential Interference Contrast (DIC)
General remarks
- DIC allows observation of unstained specimens by generation of image contrast
- Structures of interest must have different refractive indices (r.i.).
Beam path for DIC microscopy
Keep in mind: there are dedicated DIC prism / objective combinations. Check appropriate combinations from the Objective list of the manual or the Facility web site.
1. Upright microscope in laser scanning mode (from top to bottom)
- Light source (laser)
- No Polarizer (laser has to provide correctly polarized light)
- DIC prism at objective
- Objective
- Sample
- Condenser front lens
- DIC prism (condenser)
- Analyzer (polarizing filter)
- Transmission detector (PMT)
2. Inverted microscope in halogen transillumination mode (from top to bottom)
- light source (halogen lamp)
- Polarizer (polarizing filter)
- DIC prism (condenser)
- Condenser front lens
- Sample
- Objective
- DIC prism at objective
- Analyzer (polarizing filter)
- Detector (camera, eye)
3. Upright microscope in halogen transillumination mode (from top to bottom)
- Detector (camera, eye)
- Analyzer (polarizing filter)
- DIC prism at objective
- Objective
- Sample
- Condenser front lens
- DIC prism (condenser)
- Polarizer (polarizing filter)
- light source (halogen lamp)
4. Inverted microscope in laser scanning mode (from top to bottom)
- Transmission detector (PMT)
- Analyzer (polarizing filter)
- DIC prism (condenser)
- Condenser front lens
- Sample
- Objective
- DIC prism at objective
- no Polarizer (laser has to provide correctly polarized light)
- light source (laser)