How are Polarizing microscopes constructed?

Polarizing microscopes are constructed like regular optical microscope, but are fitted with some extra features.
Unlike regular microscopes which use normal light, a polarizing microscope uses polarized light to study
specimens. In polarized light, the light waves vibrate in one direction; in normal light, the light waves vibrate in
random directions. In addition to standard microscope optics, there is one polarizer in the condenser and another
mounted in a slider in the tube above the objective, both in rotatable and graduated mounts. The specimen is
illuminated with plane polarized light and the rotation of this light can be analyzed with the microscope.

What are the components of a Polarizing Microscope?

When compared to a typical microscope, a polarizing microscope has a new structure with the following added
components:

A polarizing condenser: A polarizing condenser has the following 3 characteristics: 1. built-in

rotatable polarizer, 2. top lens out construction when parallel light illumination at low magnification is
required, and 3. strainfree optical system, like the objectives.
A rotating stage: This allows the position of the specimen to be set. Rotatability of the polarizing stage

and centerability are fundamental 360 degree angle. A universal stage with multiple rotating axes may
also be used to enable the observation of specimen from many directions.
Polarizing objective (strain-free objective) for polarized light: polarizing objective differs from

ordinary objectives in a respect that it possesses a high lightpolarizing capability.

A centerable revolving nosepi ece: This enables optical axis adjustment for the objective.
Analyzer: The analyzer can rotate 90 degree or 360 degree.
Bertrand lens: It is used for observing the objective. It is located between the analyzer and eyepiece

for easy in and out of the light path.

A test plate: The test plate is a phase plate used for verifying the double refractivity of specimens,

determining the vibration direction of pieces, and for retardation measurement.

The compensator: The compensator is a phase plate that can change and measure the retardation.
Eyepiece with crosshair: It has a built-in focusing plate containing a crosshair. By inserting the point
pin into the observation tube sleeve, the vibration direction of the polarizer and analyzer can be made
to agree with the crosshair in the visual field.

How does a Polarizing Microscope function?

The polarized light microscope is designed to observe and shoot specimens that are visible primarily due to their
optically anisotropic character. In order to carry out this job, the microscope must be equipped with both a
polarizer, positioned in the light path somewhere before the specimen, and an analyzer (a second polarizer)
placed in the optical pathway between the objective rear opening and the observation tubes or camera port.
Image contrast arises from the interaction of plane-polarized light with a birefringent (or doubly-refracting)
specimen to produce two individual wave components that are each polarized in mutually perpendicular planes.
The velocities of these components are different and vary with the transmitting direction through the specimen.
After exiting the specimen, the light components become out of phase, but are recombined with constructive and
destructive interference when they pass through the analyzer. Interference is the addition of two or
more waves that result in a new wavepattern. Constructive Interference occurs where two identical phases meet
and combine to create a wave with a greater amplitude. Destructive Interference occurs where two opposite
phases meet and combine to create a wavewith a lesser amplitude.

What are the Applications of a Polarizing Microscope?

Geologists use this type of microscope. Geological specimen to be studied is placed on a slide on a

rotatable specimen stage. The specimen is then illuminated by a light source under the specimen
stage.
They also are being used in medicine.

Polarizing microscopy can be used both with reflected and transmitted light.
Reflected light is useful for the study of opaque materials such as mineral oxides and sulphides, metals

and silicon wafers.

Polarizing microscopes are extremely useful for specialized medical and industrial applications, such

as identifying crystals or fibers suspended in liquid, identifying minerals in core samples and detecting
defects in semiconductors or finding stress points in metal, glass and other materials.
The objectives used in a polarizing microscope are required to be strain free.