OPERATION
Carl Zeiss Illumination and Contrasting Method Axio Scope.A1
82 M60-2-0007 e 05/08
The phase difference results from the interference of the polarization of the sample and the polarization
of the compensator λ.
The larger phase difference occurs when the polarization direction of the sample or the absolute or
relative largest index of refraction (n
γ
or n
γ'
) is parallel to the largest polarization direction of the
compensator λ. The sample appears then e.g. in blue-green.
The smallest phase difference occurs if the direction of polarization of the sample with the absolute or
relative smallest index of refraction (n
α
or n
α'
) is perpendicular to the polarization direction of the
compensator λ. The sample then appears e.g. yellow.
(4) Conclusions
The color grey-white which occurs in the bright position as was discussed in the example above,
corresponds according to the Michel-Lévy color table (
656H656HFig. 4-9) to a phase difference of 150 nm
The surrounding of the artificial fiber which is not birefringent shows after insurgence of the
compensator λ a bright red which corresponds to a phase difference of the compensator of 550 nm (the
interference color 1st order for the phase difference of 550 nm corresponds to 1λ).
If the polarization direction of the birefringence sample which is to be investigated is parallel to the
largest polarization direction of the compensator λ, i.e. in NE-SW direction, the phase difference of the
sample (i.e. grey-white: 150 nm) and the phase difference of the compensator λ (red: 550 nm) add up.
This leads to a change in color of the sample from grey-white to blue-green (resulting phase difference
= 700 nm).
If the polarization direction of the birefringence sample which is to be investigated is perpendicular to the
largest polarization direction of the compensator λ, i.e. in NW-SE direction, the phase difference of the
compensator λ (red: 550 nm) is subtracted from the phase difference of the sample (e.g. grey-white: 150
nm). This leads to a change in color of the sample from grey-white to orange (resulting phase difference
= 400 nm).
Color tables according to Michel-Lévy can be ordered under ord. no. 42-312.
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