Microscopes come in a variety of styles and are essentially used in various branches of scientific study for the purpose of observing small objects in greater detail. While the most common type of microscope simply uses visible light and lenses to magnify an object, there are others that use polarized light. This is known as a polarizing microscope and it is generally used in geological study.
In most resects a polarizing microscope is similar in construction to a standard optical microscope. However there are a few additions and these typically include a couple of polarizing filters strategically placed such that the object can be viewed using polarized rather than normal light. A circular rotating stage on which samples can be placed is generally also included, rather than the fixed stage commonly used on other microscope styles. In many of the microscopes produced one of the polarized filters is adjustable such that an object can be viewed using one or both filters.
While a polarizing microscope can be used for a few purposes, its most common use is in the field of geology for the identification of minerals and rocks. This study is known as petrography and is concerned with the detailed description of rocks and minerals. Because it is most commonly used in this scientific field, another name for the style of device is a petrographic microscope. However a polarized light microscope can be used in other scientific fields and has applications in chemistry, medical and pharmaceutical research, to name a few.
If you need to purchase a polarized light microscope there a few companies that specialize in them. Polarizing Microscopes is one of these and they have a range of equipment available. Their devices are produced using a Bertrand lens system and start at around $600 in cost for the more affordable equipment. However, for more sophisticated equipment the price will rise, with some of the more expensive equipment from Polarizing Microscopes costing up to $3,500.
The Microscope Store is an online retailer that has a range of polarizing microscope equipment for sale and this includes devices from manufacturers such as Omano and Meiji. One of the most affordable devices they have available is the Omano OM239P Polarizing Trinocular Compound Microscope which is available for around $2,200. For an additional cost this microscope can come fitted with a camera such that it is possible to both view and photograph samples. More expensive equipment from the Microscope Store can range up to around $7,000 with the Meiji MT9900 Incident/Transmitted Polarizing Microscope being an example of this. This is fitted with an infinity corrected optical system, is constructed to ISO9001:2000 standards and is a high quality device which can be used for a range of applications.
While a polarizing microscope is most commonly used in geology it does have a few applications and can be useful equipment to have available in a few scientific fields. It can be an expensive style of microscope to purchase, although with costs typically starting at just over $500 it does not need to be and affordable equipment is available for those that shop around before buying.
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