Polarizing Microscope and Applications

A polarizing microscope is a special kind of microscope that utilizes two polarizing lens to collect unavoidable visual data from the specimen. The polarizing microscope is used extensively in the field of visual mineralogy which supports such applications as geology, asbestos testing, and forensic science. Often those working in dissimilar fields will sometimes refer to the polarizing microscope by dissimilar names such as geology microscope, petrographic microscope, pol microscope, and Plm (polarized light microscope.)

The key variation between the polarizing microscope and a accepted aggregate microscope is the expanding of a fixed polarizer between the light source and the specimen and the expanding of an adjustable polarizer between the objective and the eyepieces. The 2nd polarizer is called the "analyzer" and normally can insert in and out on a rotating piece in the neck of the microscope. Other tasteless accessories comprise a rotating stage and insertable retardation plates made from gypsum or quartz.

Microscope

With these added elements, the this microscope can collect visual data from a specimen that no other microscope can. The key visual information ready includes refractive index, birefringence, sign of elongation, pleochroism, and angle of extinction, all of which provide clues to the crystallography of the material that is being investigated.

The first uses of these kinds of microscopes over one hundred years ago was the identification of minerals in geology. In addition, the most tasteless form of lab diagnosis to test for asbestos is performed with a polarizing microscope. Because of the their quality to provide visual data, these kind of microscopes are very ordinarily used in forensic science where the identification of unknown materials is a disposition part of the job. Some of the first evidence disputing the claimed age of the so-called "Shroud of Turin" was considered by diagnosis of pigments using a polarized light microscope.

The polarizing microscope is a very versatile and marvelous instrument in the identification of materials. It is a key tool in several scientific fields, and can sometimes be the best option over more costly technologies. For example, in disposition asbestos diagnosis the polarizing microscope was considered to be more correct and much more cost efficient than the other high-tech options that were first investigated, such as x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. It is a marvelous tool with many applications.

Nikon's MicroscopyU has quite a bit of information on how the polarizers and the science work to provide analytical information: http://www.microscopyu.com/articles/polarized/polarizedintro.html

Polarizing Microscope and Applications

See Also : Finishing Products Microscopes and Optics