Nicol prism

(ˈnɪkəl) n (General Physics) (also without capital) a device composed of two prisms of Iceland spar or calcite cut at specified angles and cemented together with Canada balsam. It is used for producing plane-polarized light[C19: named after William Nicol (?1768–1851), Scottish physicist, its inventor]

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Noun

Nicol prism - optical device that produces plane-polarized lightoptical device - a device for producing or controlling light

Nicol prism

(nĭk`əl), optical device invented (1828) by William Nicol of Edinburgh. It consists essentially of a crystal of calcite, or Iceland sparIceland spar,
colorless variety of crystallized calcite, characterized by its properties of transparency and double refraction. It is used chiefly in the manufacture of Nicol prisms, which are essential parts of polarizing microscopes and other optical instruments.
..... Click the link for more information. , that is cut at an angle into two equal pieces and joined together again with Canada balsam. An ordinary beam of light entering the crystal undergoes double refraction, i.e., is split into two parts, each of which is affected in a different way. One of these parts, the so-called ordinary ray, undergoes total reflection at the Canada-balsam joint and is turned off from its course to pass out at one side of the crystal. The other ray, the extraordinary ray, passes on through the crystal. By means of this device a beam of light can be polarized (see polarization of lightpolarization of light,
orientation of the vibration pattern of light waves in a singular plane. Characteristics of Polarization

Polarization is a phenomenon peculiar to transverse waves, i.e.
..... Click the link for more information. ) or a beam of polarized light can be subjected to analysis. The principle involved has been applied to the microscope in the illumination of the field.

Nicol Prism

an optical device that transmits only linearly polarized light that has a certain direction of polarization. This prism was invented in 1828 by the Scottish physicist W. Nicol. Made of Iceland spar, or calcite (CaCO₃), it is one of the most widely used polarizing prisms.

Nicol prism

[′nik·əl ‚priz·əm] (optics) A device for producing plane-polarized light, consisting of two pieces of transparent calcite (a birefringent crystal) which together form a parallelogram and are cemented together with Canada balsam.

Nicol prism

Ni·col prism

(nik'ŏl), a prism that transmits only polarized light.

Nicol prism

A prism made by splitting a prism of Icelandic spar and rejoining the cut surfaces. This causes the light passing through to be split. Ordinary light rays are reflected by the joined surfaces, and polarized light is transmitted. See also: prism

Nicol,

William, Scottish physicist, 1768-1851. Nicol prism - transmits only polarized light.

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Ni·col prism

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Words related to Nicol prism

noun optical device that produces plane-polarized light

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