Equipment and Preparation of Materials

Abstract

For the routine identification of nonopaque materials a polarizing microscope is used. The petrographic or polarizing microscope is essentially a compound microscope with the addition of optical devices that polarize light. A simple variety for qualitative observations can be made from almost any compound or stereo microscope and two sheets of polarizing filter. Most quantitative measurements require special features (rotating stage, slots for accessory plates, diaphragms, etc.) that are incorporated into the design of commercial polarizing microscopes.