Partial dark-field microscopy for investigating domain structures of double-layer microsphere film.

ABSTRACT: A lateral dislocation in a double-layer microsphere film is very difficult to identify because the constituent domains have the same two-dimensional crystalline orientation. Orientation-sensitive optical techniques cannot resolve this issue. Here, we demonstrate that partial dark-field (pDF) optical microscopy can be very effective in identifying this type of domain boundary and dislocation of a close-packed microsphere double-layer. Using the hexagonal symmetry of the close-packed microsphere film and the light-focusing property of microspheres, the partially blocked dark-field condenser can provide much higher contrast than other optical microscopy modes can in identifying the laterally dislocated domains. The former can also distinguish domains with different crystalline orientation by

SUBMITTER: Heon Kim J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4426674 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature