How good are these DIC images?

curt0909 · Post by **curt0909** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 3:09 pm

You mentioned that you haven't changed the height of the condenser. Try to raise it until it touches the slide and see what results you get.

pwnell · Post by **pwnell** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 3:16 pm

Did that just now. Same as when in Kohler. I see no appreciable difference.

curt0909 · Post by **curt0909** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:46 pm

http://www.microscopy-news.com/download ... of_DIC.pdf Here's a good pdf showing the different upper DIC prisms and their effect on contrast(Olympus BX2 series). Your images are very much like the ones in the pdf. One more question. Can you adjust your upper slider so that the background is near black? Also have you tried stopping down the condenser aperture?

discomorphella · Post by **discomorphella** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:04 pm

Your pictures look pretty good. Which objectives (mag / NA) are you using? There are some more specialized diagnotics for setting up your DIC setup which might help you optimize your DIC images. It helps to have a phase telescope or other way to comfortably view the back focal plane of your objectives, but you can take out your eyepieces and squint if nothing else. I'll try to find the references and repost. You need to have your Kohler set up very well. And although you probably know this already, to get the optimal contrast you'll have to readjust your DIC retardation (the micrometer screw on the upper prism) for each specimen / condition, even for different water thickness under the coverslip. Also, you don't typically want to use exactly 90 degrees (darkest background) for the best DIC effect. In general you want to back off the retardation from 90 degrees (what Olympus calls "sensitive grey") to get the best DIC images.

David

pwnell · Post by **pwnell** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:38 am

Thanks for your comment. I am using Olympus UPlanSApo's. These photos were mostly taken with the 40x/0.95 and 60x/1.35 oil. I also used a magnification changer, so several of these photos were taken at 2x additional magnification.

Kohler is set up correctly. I did not know about deviating from the 90 degree angle of the polarizer / analyzer. I will be sure to play with those. Thanks again.

I have decided to place my order for one of these microscopes. Should arrive in 4 weeks!

discomorphella · Post by **discomorphella** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 7:45 pm

Excellent. I'm sure you'll love it. I have used all varieties of scopes from all the major manufacturers over the years, and at home I rely on my BX-60 (identical in almost all respects to your '53, the newer 6X series have motorized stages but the 60 doesn't). I am assuming you have the standard 5 or 8 position condenser, like a U-UCD8 on your scope.
The procedure for DIC setup is outlined in the manual for the U-UCD8. A quick Google search shows for example
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... nf9DppHuoQ

or google U-UCD8 and find the manual. The instructions are easy to follow, and you really don't need a phase telescope although depending on your vision it may help but its not essential.
Pages 4 and 10-14 will get you set up. If you can't find the link send me a PM and I can get you a PDF of the manual.
Have fun, its an amazing instrument...
David

pwnell · Post by **pwnell** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 8:30 pm

Thanks, got the PDF. Will make sure to review it carefully when the microscope arrives.

RogelioMoreno · Post by **RogelioMoreno** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 4:39 am

Very good pictures, a little play with the U-DICTS slider and you will get more contrast.

Congratulations for the BX-53!

Rogelio