Optical Cage System Application: Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) Digital Microscope
What is a differential interference contrast (DIC) digital microscope?
Differential interference contrast microscopy is a technique used to enhance contrast of object features that are otherwise difficult to observe using traditional brightfield microscopy. It does so by converting refractive index and/or surface slope or thickness variations—gradients in optical path length (OPL)—into intensity differences at the image plane. Slopes, valleys and surface discontinuities are imaged with improved contrast to reveal the profile of the surface. It is an effective method for accentuating differences in thickness or the refractive index of a sample, highlighting subtle features with vivid color gradients. Images produced with DIC give the appearance of a three-dimensional relief corresponding to the variation of OPL of the sample.
The DIC setup outlined here uses reflected light illumination primarily to view opaque samples. A similar system can be made to implement transmitted light DIC where the sample is illuminated from below and observed from above (or vice versa). Typical DIC applications include qualitative assessment of surface roughness, evaluation of laser damage to coating or substrate surfaces, monitoring process defects in thin films, semiconductor/electronics inspection, as well as examination of unstained biological samples.
Why TECHSPEC® Optical Cage System?
Building a customized DIC microscope with TECHSPEC® Optical Cage System components allows the user to build a microscope quickly and easily with limitless customization options. System magnification can be changed by altering the focal length of the tube lens and/or objective. Filters and additional polarization components can easily be inserted into the optical path. Kohler illumination can be implemented to ensure uniform illumination of the sample in either transmission or reflection.
View Complete Assembly Instructions:
| List of Components for Digital Video Microscope Setup | |||
| Sub-Module | Description | Stock No. | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Camera to C-mounted Beamsplitter | Blackfly® 12V, 1.5A Power Supply | #88-063 | 1 |
| BFLY-PGE-14S2C-CS 1/3" Blackfly® GigE Color Camera | #88-047 | 1 | |
| 40mm Length, C-Mount Extension Tube | #54-631 | 1 | |
| 50mm Length, C-Mount Extension Tube | #54-632 | 1 | |
| 100mm Length, C-Mount Extension Tube | #54-633 | 1 | |
| Mitutoyo MT-1/MT-2 C-mount Adapter | #58-329 | 1 | |
| MT-1 Accessory Tube Lens | #54-774 | 1 | |
| Male C-Mount to Female T-Mount Adapter | #53-483 | 2 | |
| T-Mount Double Male Rotating | #53-950 | 1 | |
| 25mm Cage C-Mount Adapter Plate | #87-419 | 1 | |
| Rotary Mount, M6 | #85-658 | 1 | |
| 25mm Dia. Unmounted Linear Glass Polarizer | #47-216 | 1 | |
| 6mm Diameter x 50mm Length, M3, Cage Support Rod | #85-486 | 4 | |
| 30mm Standard Cage Plate with M6 for Post Mounting | #85-630 | 1 | |
| Mitutoyo Objective Adapter | #86-883 | 1 | |
| C-mounted Beamsplitter | Mount for any 25mm Cube Beamsplitter | #56-263 | 1 |
| 25mm VIS Non-Polarizing Cube Beamsplitter | #47-009 | 1 | |
| From Objective to C-mounted Beamsplitter | 10mm Length, C-Mount Extension Tube | #54-629 | 1 |
| 30mm Cage Plate C-Mount Adapter | #85-719 | 1 | |
| 2" Square Interface Plate* | #85-737 | 6 | |
| 6mm Diameter x 20mm Length, M3, Cage Support Rod | #85-484 | 8 | |
| 6mm Diameter x 100mm Length, M3, Cage Support Rod | #85-488 | 4 | |
| 30 - 25mm Cage Plate Reducing Ring | #85-705 | 2 | |
| 25mm Diameter Blank Disk | #85-702 | 2 | |
| Mitutoyo Objective Adapter | #86-883 | 1 | |
| 20X Mitutoyo Plan Apo Long WD Objective | #46-145 | 1 | |
| From Illuminator to C-mounted Beamsplitter | Metaphase LED Illuminator Power Supply | #87-411 | 1 |
| Metaphase Fiber Optic LED Illuminator | #86-437 | 1 | |
| 0.191" ID Fiber Optic Adapter MX-5 | #66-904 | 1 | |
| 1/8" x 48", Flexible Fiber Optic Light Guide | #39-366 | 1 | |
| 0.191" ID, Fiber Optic Adapter SX-5 | #38-943 | 1 | |
| C-Thread Light Guide Mounting Adapter | #53-047 | 1 | |
| 25mm Cage C-Mount Adapter Plate | #87-419 | 1 | |
| 6mm Diameter x 75mm Length, M3, Cage Support Rod | #85-487 | 4 | |
| 30mm Standard Cage Plate with M6 for Post Mounting | #85-630 | 1 | |
| 30mm Cage 25/25.4mm Diameter Thick Lens Mount | #85-588 | 1 | |
| 25mm Dia., 0.66 NA VIS Coated, Aspheric Lens | #49-101 | 1 | |
| Rotary Mount, M6 | #85-658 | 1 | |
| 25mm Dia. Unmounted Linear Glass Polarizer | #47-216 | 1 | |
| 25mm Cage C-Mount Adapter Plate | #87-419 | 1 | |
| Male C-Mount to Female T-Mount Adapter | #53-483 | 2 | |
| T-Mount Double Male Rotating | #53-950 | 1 | |
| 10mm Length C-Mount Extension Tube | #54-629 | 1 | |
| From Bench plate to Nomarski Prism | 1" Length, ¼-20 Stud, Steel Post | #59-751 | 2 |
| 70mm, Side Drive, Solid Top, English Extended Micrometer | #66-431 | 1 | |
| Z-Bracket for 70mm Stage, English | #66-488 | 1 | |
| 70mm, Center Drive, Thru-Hole, English Extended Micrometer | #66-440 | 1 | |
| DIC Prism Aluminum Mounting Plate | Custom | 1 | |
| DIC Prism Mount Base plate (Delrin) | Custom | 1 | |
| DIC Prism Mount Retainer (Delrin) | Custom | 1 | |
| Flat-Head Socket Cap Screw, 1/4"-20 Thread, 9/16" Long (2 pcs) | McMaster # 91253A289 | 1 pack | |
| Flat-Head Socket Cap Screw, 2-56 Thread, 1/2" Long (4 pcs) | McMaster # 91253A081 | 1 pack | |
| Nomarski Prism | Application Dependent | 1 | |
| Support Structure | 24" x 12", Bench Plate | #03-640 | 1 |
| 18" x 12", Bench Plate | #56-934 | 1 | |
| 12" x 6" Right Angle Bracket Set, Set of 2 | #56-939 | 1 | |
| Hemisphere Sorbothane Feet (Package of 4) | #35-264 | 1 | |
| 3" Length, ¼-20 Thread, Post Holder | #58-979 | 4 | |
| 3" Length, ¼-20 Stud, Steel Post | #59-754 | 4 | |
| 100mm Length, Compact Optical Rail | #54-927 | 1 | |
| ¼-20 x ¾" SHCS (2 pcs from pack) | #55-177 | 1 | |
| 25mm Length x 35mm Width, Compact Carrier | #54-931 | 1 | |
| 50.8mm Length, M6 Stud, Steel Post | #59-759 | 1 | |
| 50.8mm Length, M6 Thread, Post Holder | #58-972 | 1 | |
| 12.7mm - 12.7mm Right Angle Post Clamp | #53-357 | 2 | |
| 50.8mm Length, M4 Stud, Steel Post | #58-952 | 2 | |
| Shaft Collar (2 pk) | #86-845 | 1 | |
| C-Mount 30mm Ring Mount with ¼-20 Tapped Hole | #52-930 | 1 | |
| XYZθ Positioning Stage | 125mm, Side Drive, Solid Top, English Extended Micrometer | #66-455 | 2 |
| 125mm, English Micrometer Z-Stage | #66-508 | 1 | |
| 125mm, English Rotary Stage | #66-518 | 1 | |
| Additional Hardware | 1.5mm Hex Key Size, Metric Allen Wrench | #55-452 | 1 |
| 0.050" Hex Key Size, English Allen Wrench | #56-271 | 1 | |
| 3/16" Hex Key Size, English Allen Wrench | #55-192 | 1 | |
| 5/32" Hex Key Size, English Allen Wrench | #55-191 | 1 | |
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