Optically eliminating the visible outlines of pores in intact polycarbonate (Nuclepore) filters.
Under the microscope, Nuclepore filters display pore outlines. The polycarbonate material has two refractive indices (n = 1.584 and 1.616), which polarize transmitted light into two sets of rays at right angles to one another. This birefringence was used to eliminate the image of the pore outlines by the use of a specially made mounting medium with n20D = 1.584 in combination with polarized light: in a filter preparation of human leukocytes mounted in a medium with one matching refractive index and focused in polarized light, pore outlines were not visible. The preparation of the matching mounting medium, its use and its properties are described and discussed.
Department of Zoophysiology, Uppsala University, Sweden.
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Ocklind
D001718:Birefringence; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003738:Dental Cements; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006440:Hemofiltration / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology; D011076:Polycarboxylate Cement
D003738:Dental Cements; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011076:Polycarboxylate Cement; C005506:polycarbonate