The fundamentals of a new high contrast technique for optical microscopy, named “Surface Enhanced Ellipsometric Contrast” (SEEC), are presented. The technique is based on the association of enhancing contrast surfaces as sample stages and microscope observation between cross polarizers. The surfaces are designed to become anti-reflecting when used in these conditions. They are defined by the simple equation r_p + r_s = 0 between their two Fresnel coefficients. Most often, this equation can be met by covering a solid surface with a single λ/4 layer with a well defined refractive index. A higher flexibility is obtained with multilayer stacks. Solutions with an arbitrary number of all-dielectric λ/4 layers are derived.

© 2007 Optical Society of America

1. T. Sandström, M. Stenberg, and H. Nygren, "Visual detection of organic monomolecular films by interference colors," Appl. Opt. 24,472-479 (1985). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
2. D. Ausserré, A.-M. Picart and L. Léger, "Existence and role of the precursor film in the spreading of polymer liquids," Phys. Rev. Lett. 57,2671-2674 (1986). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
3. D. Ausserré, and M.-P. Valignat, "Wide field optical imaging of surface nanostructures," Nano Lett. 6,1384-1388 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
4. A. Musset and A. Thelen, "Multilayer antireflection coating," in Progress in Optics, E. Wolf, ed., (North Holland Publ. Co., Amsterdam, 1970) Vol. 8 p. 201-237. [CrossRef]
5. J. T. Cox and G. Hass "Antireflection coatings for optical and infrared materials," in Physics of Thin Films, G. Hass and R.E. Thun, eds., (Academic Press, New York, 1968), Vol. 2 p. 239.
6. R. M. A. Azzam and N. M. Bashara, Ellipsometry and Polarized Light, (Elsevier, Amsterdam 1987).
7. G. B. Airy, Phil. Mag. 2, 20 (1833).
8. L. G. Parratt, "Surface studies of solids by total reflection of X-Rays," Phys. Rev. 95, 359-369 (1954). [CrossRef]

Appl. Opt.

• T. Sandström, M. Stenberg, and H. Nygren, "Visual detection of organic monomolecular films by interference colors," Appl. Opt. 24,472-479 (1985). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Nano Lett.

• D. Ausserré, and M.-P. Valignat, "Wide field optical imaging of surface nanostructures," Nano Lett. 6,1384-1388 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Phil. Mag.

• G. B. Airy, Phil. Mag. 2, 20 (1833).

Phys. Rev.

• L. G. Parratt, "Surface studies of solids by total reflection of X-Rays," Phys. Rev. 95, 359-369 (1954). [CrossRef]

Phys. Rev. Lett.

• D. Ausserré, A.-M. Picart and L. Léger, "Existence and role of the precursor film in the spreading of polymer liquids," Phys. Rev. Lett. 57,2671-2674 (1986). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Other

• A. Musset and A. Thelen, "Multilayer antireflection coating," in Progress in Optics, E. Wolf, ed., (North Holland Publ. Co., Amsterdam, 1970) Vol. 8 p. 201-237. [CrossRef]
• J. T. Cox and G. Hass "Antireflection coatings for optical and infrared materials," in Physics of Thin Films, G. Hass and R.E. Thun, eds., (Academic Press, New York, 1968), Vol. 2 p. 239.
• R. M. A. Azzam and N. M. Bashara, Ellipsometry and Polarized Light, (Elsevier, Amsterdam 1987).

2006, , Nano Lett.
1986, , Phys. Rev. Lett.
1985, , Appl. Opt.
1954, , Phys. Rev.
1833, , Phil. Mag.

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