Differential Interference Contrast (DIC)

Differential interference contrast (also known as Nomarski) is an illumination technique in which minute changes in surface topography are made discernible through the interference of light waves. This method polarizes the light emitted from a microscope, splits the light into two separate beams using a specialized prism, and then recombines the returned light causing interference, which leads to brightening and darkening in the image. This method allows for even transparent or low-contrast objects to be observed in great detail.