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This section provides an overview for dic microscopes as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 5 dic microscope manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked dic microscope companies as of April, 2025: 1.SPO Inc., 2.Radical, 3.Lasertec Corporation.
Table of Contents
A differential interference contrast (DIC) microscope, also known as a Nomarski microscope, is an optical microscope designed for viewing colorless and transparent specimens. It was pioneered by Georges Nomarski in 1954, utilizing a special prism known as the Nomarski prism to enhance image contrast without staining the specimen.
DIC microscopes are invaluable in observing biological materials such as cells, where traditional optical microscopes fall short due to the transparency of such specimens. This technique enables detailed examination of live cells and their internal structures without the need for dyes or stains, preserving the specimen's integrity.
The DIC microscope operates by converting natural light from the source into linearly polarized light through a polarizer. This light, upon passing through a Wollaston prism, divides into two beams with orthogonal polarization. These beams traverse the specimen, accumulate phase differences, and recombine in a second Wollaston prism. The recombined light, now exhibiting interference patterns, undergoes polarization in the same direction before reaching the observer, rendering transparent specimens visible in three dimensions.
Essentially, a DIC microscope incorporates a standard bright field microscope setup augmented with two polarizing plates and two Nomarski prisms. This arrangement allows for versatile use; removing the Nomarski prisms and polarizers reverts the system to a conventional bright field or polarizing microscope, respectively. The journey of light from the source to the observer in a DIC microscope involves sequential interaction with a polarizer, Wollaston prism, specimen stage, objective lens, second Wollaston prism, analyzer, and eyepiece, facilitating the visualization of polarized light interference and the resulting optical path differences.
DIC microscopy is particularly effective for examining unstained biological specimens, including single-celled organisms, tissue cultures, and small multicellular animals. It offers superior resolution and image clarity compared to bright-field microscopy but is less effective for specimens with minimal refractive index variation from the surrounding medium or for thicker, heavily pigmented samples. While DIC imaging can provide high-quality, artifact-free images under optimal conditions, interpretation must consider the prism's orientation, with sample rotation often necessary to fully visualize structural details.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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SPO Inc., founded in 2005 and headquartered in Dong-myeo, South Korea, specializes in machine vision optics and is the manufacturer, distributor, and supplier of precision optical components, equipment, and LED illumination for 2D and 3D machine vision systems. The company's main lens products include telecentric lenses, non-telecentric lenses, and infinity-corrected systems. It also offers optical modules for 3D white light scanning, spectrometry, and DIC microscopes. It offers original equipment manufacturers dual-viewing optical modules, dual magnification tube modules, and UV tube lenses with NIR optics. It serves industries including semiconductor manufacturing, automotive manufacturing, and PCB manufacturing, among others.
Leica Microsystems is a developer and manufacturer of microscopes and scientific instruments for the analysis of microstructures and nanostructures. The company is a provider in compound and stereo microscopy, digital microscopy, confocal user scanning, and super-resolution microscopy with related imaging systems, electron microscopy, sample preparation, and surgical microscopy used in medical, life science, and industrial applications. The company’s services include service plans, preventative maintenance, remote care, and qualification services for ensuring compliance of Leica equipment to governmental regulations.
Lasertec Corporation, founded in 1960 and headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of semiconductor-related systems, FPD-related systems, and laser microscopes. The company's product portfolio includes mask inspection systems, mask edge inspection systems, FPD photomask inspection systems, laser microscopes, and lithium-ion batteries. These products find applications in various sectors, including materials science, the flat panel display industry, semiconductor manufacturing, biomedical and life sciences, as well as research and development. The company is ISO 45001 and ISO 9001 certified, with offices in the USA, China, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea for global outreach.
Radical Company is an enterprise engaged in the manufacturer and distributor of modern audiovisual technologies and was founded in 2011 based in Pennsylvania, United States. The primary emphasis of their work centers around the development of state-of-the-art projection systems, interactive displays, and immersive audio technologies. The company is in the forefront of pioneering breakthroughs in the audiovisual (AV) sector. Their diverse range of solutions encompasses both large-scale event installations and tailored home entertainment setups, consistently pushing the frontiers of sensory experiences on a global scale.
Ranking as of April 2025
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SPO Inc. |
31.0%
|
| 2 | Radical |
24.1%
|
| 3 | Lasertec Corporation |
20.7%
|
| 4 | Leica Microsystems Vertrieb GmbH |
20.7%
|
| 5 | Shibuya Optical Co., Ltd. |
3.4%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the dic microscope page as of April 2025. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
Republic of Korea
|
1 | 33.3% |
|
Germany
|
1 | 33.3% |
|
India
|
1 | 33.3% |
34 products found
34 products
Advanced Technology Research Institute Ltd.
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■Summary The newly developed laser phase contrast microscope differs from the conventional Zernike phase contrast microscope in that it can not onl...
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Nihon Kohki Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
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This is a portable, field-ready, ultra-compact microscope that can be used separately from the stationary microscope (for indoor use). By installin...
Yagyu Shokai Co., Ltd.
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■Specifications ・Eyepiece: PL10× (Number of fields of view 22) ・Light source: 6V 30W halogen bulb ・Condenser numerical aperture: 0.3 (WD72mm) ・...
Yagyu Shokai Co., Ltd.
170+ people viewing
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■Features Colorless and transparent specimens can be viewed alive without staining. - Because it is an inverted type, it can be observed as it is i...
Yagyu Shokai Co., Ltd.
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■Features Suitable for geology, petrology, mineralogy, toxicology, pharmacy and forensics. ■Specifications ・Eyepiece: WF10× (18mm) with reticle ...
Yagyu Shokai Co., Ltd.
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■Features The inverted microscope is equipped with a UVC compatible microscope digital system. - Phase contrast observation is possible by combinin...
Yagyu Shokai Co., Ltd.
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■Features This microscope is suitable for educational and industrial use in geology and mineralogy. ■Specifications ・Lens barrel type: Monocular/...
Yagyu Shokai Co., Ltd.
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■Features ・Most techniques required for research in geology, petrology, and mineralogy can be performed more precisely and more easily. ■ Specifi...
Yagyu Shokai Co., Ltd.
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■Features ・Uses light diffraction and interference to visualize colorless and transparent specimens by contrasting light and dark. - Suitable for ...
Yagyu Shokai Co., Ltd.
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■Features -By utilizing the difference in the refractive index of light between the specimen and the background, the contrast between light and dar...
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■Summary ・3D white interference microscope for measuring nano-level surface properties ・Measure the surface roughness and shape of machined parts...
Bruker Corporation
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■Optical profiler Bruker is a pioneer in surface profile measurement equipment that uses white light interferometry, and provides non-contact 3D pr...
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Bruker Corporation
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Bruker Corporation
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300mmXY stage compatible/high performance model
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Bruker Corporation
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Compatible with 650mmXY stage (for large panel board applications) ■White light interference microscope for mounting board only This is an optical...
Bruker Corporation
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Compatible with 300mm XY stage (for large heavy objects) ■White light interference microscope for large samples This is a white light interference...
Cosmo Trading Co., Ltd.
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Six functions to meet diverse needs. Based on two confocal optical systems, it is equipped with six functions: differential interference observatio...
Sanko Ematech Co., Ltd.
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■Features ・Standard model of interference microscope with excellent cost performance ・Various 3D measurements: surface shape (roughness), shape, ...
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Sanko Ematech Co., Ltd.
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■Features ・High performance model equipped with electric head tilt ・High measurement reproducibility achieved through closed-loop control ・Equip...
Park Systems Japan Co., Ltd.
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Park NX-Hybrid WLI is the world's first AFM system with a built-in white light interferometer for measurement, quality assurance, front-end process...
Reimer Co., Ltd.
130+ people viewing
■Product overview Phase contrast microscope equipped with a plan objective lens and high brightness LED illumination. BX-3500 series phase contrast...
Reimer Co., Ltd.
140+ people viewing
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■Product overview The phase contrast microscope BX-2705TPHL, which is popular for its high cost performance, has been renewed. Plan lenses are used...
Sanko Ematech Co., Ltd.
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■Features ・High-end model that supports automatic measurement of large substrates ・Electric functions (internal lens exchange, objective lens exc...
Sanko Ematech Co., Ltd.
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■Features ・Highly flexible model that enables measurement of large and heavy objects ・High measurement reproducibility achieved through closed-lo...
Shibuya Optical Co., Ltd.
50+ people viewing
A differential interference microscope that is small, lightweight, and easy to handle. Includes one 10X objective lens and differential interferenc...
