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A Nomarski prism is a modification of the Wollaston prism that is used in differential interference contrast microscopy. It is named after its inventor, Polish and naturalized-French physicist Georges Nomarski. Like the Wollaston prism, the Nomarski prism consists of two birefringent crystal wedges (e.g.
Nomarski Prism Action in Polarized LightWavefront Shear in Wollaston and Nomarski Prisms
Polarization (waves) Prisms (optics) Microscopy
A Nomarski prism is a modification of the Wollaston prism that is used in differential interference contrast microscopy. It is named after its inventor, Polish and naturalized-French physicist Georges Nomarski. Like the Wollaston prism, the Nomarski prism consists of two birefringent crystal wedges (e.g. quartz
Quartz is a hard, crystalline mineral composed of silica (silicon dioxide). The Atom, atoms are linked in a continuous framework of SiO4 silicon–oxygen Tetrahedral molecular geometry, tetrahedra, with each oxygen being shared between two tet ...
or calcite
Calcite is a Carbonate minerals, carbonate mineral and the most stable Polymorphism (materials science), polymorph of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). It is a very common mineral, particularly as a component of limestone. Calcite defines hardness 3 on ...
) cemented together at the hypotenuse (e.g. with Canada balsam). One of the wedges is identical to a conventional Wollaston wedge and has the optical axis oriented parallel to the surface of the prism. The second wedge of the prism is modified by cutting the crystal so that the optical axis
An optical axis is an imaginary line that passes through the geometrical center of an optical system such as a camera lens, microscope or telescopic sight. Lens elements often have rotational symmetry about the axis.
The optical axis defines ...
is oriented obliquely with respect to the flat surface of the prism. The Nomarski modification causes the light rays to come to a focal point outside the body of the prism, and allows greater flexibility so that when setting up the microscope
A microscope () is a laboratory equipment, laboratory instrument used to examine objects that are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Microscopy is the science of investigating small objects and structures using a microscope. Microscopic ...
the prism can be actively focused.
See also
* Glan–Foucault prism * Glan–Thompson prism * Nicol prism *Prism (optics)
An optical prism is a transparent optical element with flat, polished surfaces that are designed to refract light. At least one surface must be angled—elements with two parallel surfaces are ''not'' prisms. The most familiar type of optic ...
* Rochon prism
* Sénarmont prism
References
*{{cite journal, last=Allen, first=RD, author2=David, GB , author3=Nomarski, G , title=The zeiss-Nomarski differential interference equipment for transmitted-light microscopy., journal=Zeitschrift für wissenschaftliche Mikroskopie und mikroskopische Technik, date=November 1969, volume=69, issue=4, pages=193–221, pmid=5361069, url=http://zeiss-campus.magnet.fsu.edu/referencelibrary/abstracts/dic05.htmlExternal links
Nomarski Prism Action in Polarized Light
Polarization (waves) Prisms (optics) Microscopy