Polarizing Microscope and Applications

A polarizing microscope is a special kind of microscope that utilizes two polarizing lens to get inevitable 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 different fields will sometimes refer to the polarizing microscope by different names such as geology microscope, petrographic microscope, pol microscope, and Plm (polarized light microscope.)

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

Microscope

With these further elements, the this microscope can get visual data from a specimen that no other microscope can. The key visual data available 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 determination 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 generally used in forensic science where the identification of unknown materials is a habit part of the job. Some of the first evidence disputing the claimed age of the so-called "Shroud of Turin" was thought about by determination of pigments using a polarized light microscope.

The polarizing microscope is a very versatile and fine instrument in the identification of materials. It is a key tool in several scientific fields, and can sometimes be the best choice over more costly technologies. For example, in habit asbestos determination the polarizing microscope was thought about to be more strict 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 fine tool with many applications.

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

Polarizing Microscope and Applications

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