Abstract

Analysis of image formation in a differential interference contrast (DIC) microscope and retrieval of the specimen’s properties require calibration of its key parameters, viz. shear and bias. We present a method of measuring the shear and the bias of a DIC microscope from the interference fringes produced in the back focal plane of the objective. Previous approaches, which use calibrated specimens such as polysty rene or fluorescent beads, provide rather approximate measurements of shear or require a complex optical setup. The method presented is accurate, relies on simple image analysis, and does not require a specimen. We provide a succinct and accurate description of properties of Nomarski prisms to explain the rationale behind the method.

© 2010 Optical Society of America

Partially coherent image formation in differential interference contrast (DIC) microscope

Shalin B. Mehta and Colin J. R. Sheppard
Opt. Express 16(24) 19462-19479 (2008)

Orientation-independent differential interference contrast microscopy

Michael Shribak and Shinya Inoué
Appl. Opt. 45(3) 460-469 (2006)

Quantitative orientation-independent differential interference contrast microscope with fast switching shear direction and bias modulation

Michael Shribak
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 30(4) 769-782 (2013)

Theoretical development and experimental evaluation of imaging models for differential-interference-contrast microscopy

Chrysanthe Preza, Donald L. Snyder, and José-Angel Conchello
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 16(9) 2185-2199 (1999)

White light differential interference contrast microscope with a Sagnac interferometer

Sanjib Chatterjee and Y. Pavan Kumar
Appl. Opt. 53(2) 296-300 (2014)