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5 Polarization and Conoscopy | 5.3 Polarization Examinations
Polarizers and Analyzers The polarizing elements are referred to as either Polarizers or analyzers depending
Primotech | Document 430055-9044-008 V.1.0; 03 / 2014
5.3 Polarization Examinations
Polarization examinations allow you to analyze how a sample changes the
properties of light interacting with the sample, specifically the direction in which
the light oscillates. Such examinations can be performed with both transmitted or
reflected light.
To perform a polarization examination, you can insert polarizing elements in the
beam path, on either side of the sample. The polarizing elements only allow light
that oscillates in a certain direction to pass.
on their location in the beam path:
¢
The element between the light source and the sample is referred to as the
1
polarizer
¢
The element between the sample and the eyepiece is referred to as the
2
analyzer
2
1
Rotating the sample, polarizer, or analyzer alters the amount – and color – of the
light received in the eyepiece. Thus it is possible to deduce properties of the
sample, for example the orientation of the crystals within it or their refractive index.
2
1
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