OPERATION
Axio Imager
Illumination and contrast methods
Carl Zeiss
M70-2-0020 e 06/2009
430000-7344-001
171
4.9.9
Setting reflected-light DIC and reflected-light C-DIC
(1) Application
The reflected-light DIC and reflected-light C-DIC technique (DIC = Differential Interference Contrast,
C-DIC = Differential Interference Contrast in Circularly polarized light) serves for producing high-contrast
images of phase specimens, i.e. those specimens which only change the phase of the light in contrast to
amplitude specimens.
(2) Instrument
equipment
−
Axio Imager MAT with connected and adjusted HAL 100 halogen illuminator.
−
Rotary mechanical stage 75x50/240°
−
EC Epiplan-Neofluar, Epiplan objectives additionally labeled with "DIC" or "Pol".
−
DIC slider, that specially fits the objective that is engraved with magnification and aperture on the top
of the slider or 6x20 C-DIC slider (in connection with the reflector module C DIC P&C), 6x20
compensator mount or 4-position modulator turret).
(3)
Reflected-light DIC, preferably for Epiplan 5x - 100x and LD-Epiplan 10x - 100x objectives
•
Prepare the microscope as described in Section 4.9.7 for reflected-light brightfield. The luminous-field
diaphragm should just disappear from the field of view to avoid reflections.
•
Rotate the reflector turret to move the C DIC P&C reflector module into the light path.
•
Rotate the nosepiece to swing in the objective position with DIC slider slot.
•
Push the DIC slider into the slot on the nosepiece (above the objective).
•
Place the specimen on the stage, focus on it and rotate the mechanical stage until the specimen
structure of interest appears at maximum contrast.
•
To optimize the contrast, you can turn the knurled screw on the DIC slider.
(4) Reflected-light
C-DIC
•
Prepare the microscope for reflected-light
brightfield.
•
On the nosepiece, swivel in the objective
suitable for DIC.
•
Switch the C DIC P&C reflector module into the
light path.
•
Push the C-DIC slider 6x20 (4-129/
3
) into the
6x20 compensator mount (4-129/
4
) or rotate
the 4-position modulator turret (4-130/
6
) at
turret wheel (4-130/
5
) to swing in the desired
C-DIC position (
C1
or
C2
).
C1 for 5x … 20x objectives;
C2 for 50x … 100x objectives.
When using objectives of 50x or
higher, it is advisable to use the
reflected-light diffusion disk.
Fig. 4-129 6x20 compensator mount with
6x20 C-DIC slider
