Nicol prism

American  

[nik-uhl] / ˈnɪk əl /

noun

Optics.

1. one of a pair of prisms used to produce and analyze plane-polarized light in a polarizing microscope.

---

Nicol prism British  

/ ˈnɪkəl /

noun

1. 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

---

Etymology

Origin of Nicol prism

First recorded in 1870–75; named after William Nicol (1768–1851), British physicist, its inventor

Example Sentences

We have, first, our electric lamp, then a Nicol prism, to polarize the beam emergent from the lamp; then an electro-magnet, then a second Nicol, and finally our screen.

From Six Lectures on Light Delivered In The United States In 1872-1873 by Tyndall, John

The color changing device, consisting of Nicol prism and quartz plate, is fitted with a divided circle reading to single degrees.

From Astronomical Instruments and Accessories by William Gaertner and Company

The Shortened Nicol Prism.—This arrangement of the Nicol prism is constructed by Dr. Steeg and Reuter of Homburg v.d.H.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 441, June 14, 1884. by Various

The zero position of the Nicol prism is indicated by a line, as well as the angles 90, 180, 270°.

From Microscopes and Accessory Apparatus Catalogue No. 40 by Leitz, Ernst

Looking at various points of the blue firmament through a Nicol prism, and turning the prism round its axis, we soon notice variations of brightness.

From Six Lectures on Light Delivered In The United States In 1872-1873 by Tyndall, John