Measurement of the optical thickness of transparent tissue layers.

The method of Duc de Chaulnes was employed to determine the mechanical and optical thickness, as well as the refractive index, of transparent tissue layers in living specimens. To this end the reproducible accuracy of the method and its dependence on the adjustment in focusing and on the numerical aperture of the objective was evaluated on test specimens using the procedures of transmitted light, phase-contrast (PC), and differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. The best working conditions were then applied to the actual measurements.