Nomarski prism

A modified version of a Wollaston prism, it's made up of two birefringent quartz wedges glued together in order to split incident light into an ordinary and extraordinary ray.

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Nomarski Prism Action in Polarized Light

When a Nomarski or modified Wollaston compound differential interference contrast (DIC) prism is sandwiched between two crossed polarizers and examined with light transmitted through both polarizers and the prism, a pattern of parallel interference fringes with a predominant central black band (fringe) can be observed. This interactive tutorial explores how varying prism wedge geometry, utilized for different objective numerical apertures, affects the interference pattern observed between crossed polarizers.