Polarizing Microscope and Applications

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

The key inequity between the polarizing microscope and a proper compound microscope is the increasing of a fixed polarizer between the light source and the specimen and the increasing 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 common accessories consist of a rotating stage and insertable retardation plates made from gypsum or quartz.

Microscope

With these additional elements, the this microscope can acquire optic data from a specimen that no other microscope can. The key optic information available includes refractive index, birefringence, sign of elongation, pleochroism, and angle of extinction, all of which contribute 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 common form of lab analysis to test for asbestos is performed with a polarizing microscope. Because of the their potential to contribute optic data, these kind of microscopes are very commonly used in forensic science where the identification of unknown materials is a routine part of the job. Some of the first evidence disputing the claimed age of the so-called "Shroud of Turin" was carefully by analysis of pigments using a polarized light microscope.

The polarizing microscope is a very versatile and grand instrument in the identification of materials. It is a key tool in several scientific fields, and can sometimes be the best choice over more high-priced technologies. For example, in routine asbestos analysis the polarizing microscope was carefully to be more accurate and much more cost productive than the other high-tech options that were first investigated, such as x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. It is a grand tool with many applications.

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

Polarizing Microscope and Applications

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