Talk:Polarized light microscopy: Difference between revisions

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== Introduction  ==
== Introduction  ==


[[Image:MgSO4 Kristallisationsvideo.ogg|thumb|right|Magnesium sulfate crystallization under crossed polars and red I]]<br> Polarized light microscopy <bib id="Wuelfert:1999" /><bib id="McCrone.etal:1984" /> is used especially for the examination of anisotropic (birefringent) objects <ref>http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artnov08/rd-crystals.html, gesehen 19.11.2009</ref>. These microscopes differ from ordinary microscopes because they have a precisely centered rotating stage and the polarizing and analyzing filters. These are introduced into the light path(below and above the stage, respectively), so that the object can be observed under plane polarized light or under crossed polarizers. The first filter, referred to as the polarizer, is located in the light path beneath the sample slide. Through it the object is illuminated with linear, polarized light. The second filter, called the analyzer, is situated in the observation beam path, allowing the analysis of the linear polarized light modified by the object. When polarizer and the analyzer are "crossed" (referred to as crossed polars), it means that there is a 90° difference in the vibration plane of the light allowed through them. When no sample is present, or an isotropic material is in the beam path, no light will come through.  
[[Image:MgSO4 Kristallisationsvideo.ogg|thumb|right|Magnesium sulfate crystallization under crossed polars and red I]]<br> Polarized light microscopy <bib id="Wuelfert:1999" /><bib id="McCrone.etal:1984" /> is used especially for the examination of anisotropic (birefringent) objects <ref>http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artnov08/rd-crystals.html, gesehen 19.11.2009</ref>. These microscopes differ from ordinary microscopes because they have a precisely centered rotating stage and the polarizing and analyzing filters. These are introduced into the light path (below and above the stage, respectively), so that the object can be observed under plane polarized light or under crossed polarizers. The first filter, referred to as the polarizer, is located in the light path beneath the sample slide. Through it the object is illuminated with linear, polarized light. The second filter, called the analyzer, is situated in the observation beam path, allowing the analysis of the linear polarized light modified by the object. When polarizer and the analyzer are "crossed" (referred to as crossed polars), it means that there is a 90° difference in the vibration plane of the light allowed through them. When no sample is present, or an isotropic material is in the beam path, no light will come through.  
In polarized light microscopy the direct (orthoscopic) or indirect (conoscopic) approach can be applied.  
In polarized light microscopy the direct (orthoscopic) or indirect (conoscopic) approach can be applied.  
The orthoscopic approach is equivalent to ordinary microscopy. When the analyzer is switched on, anisotropic bodies appear. Depending on their orientation, thickness and the value of the [[Birefringence|birefringence]],<ref>http://e3.pphysik.uni-dortmund.de/~suter/Vorlesung/Physik_B3_SS03/6.5_Polarisation.pdf, gesehen 19.11.2009</ref><ref>http://www.gemmologie.at/mediaCache/Doppelbrechung_270385.pdf, gesehen 19.11.2009</ref><ref>http://www.physik.uni-jena.de/inst/iao/applets/doppelbrechung/doppelbrechung.html, gesehen 19.11.2009</ref> anisotropic bodies appear in the interference color that corresponds to the path difference between the ordinary and extraordinary ray. The [[Light Refraction Index Determination|light refraction]] of salt minerals can be estimated relatively easily, when the  [[refraction of light|refraction index]] of the immersion medium or oil is known.  
The orthoscopic approach is equivalent to ordinary microscopy. When the analyzer is switched on, anisotropic bodies appear. Depending on their orientation, thickness and the value of the [[Birefringence|birefringence]],<ref>http://e3.pphysik.uni-dortmund.de/~suter/Vorlesung/Physik_B3_SS03/6.5_Polarisation.pdf, gesehen 19.11.2009</ref><ref>http://www.gemmologie.at/mediaCache/Doppelbrechung_270385.pdf, gesehen 19.11.2009</ref><ref>http://www.physik.uni-jena.de/inst/iao/applets/doppelbrechung/doppelbrechung.html, gesehen 19.11.2009</ref> anisotropic bodies appear in the interference color that corresponds to the path difference between the ordinary and extraordinary ray. The [[Light Refraction Index Determination|light refraction]] of salt minerals can be estimated relatively easily, when the  [[refraction of light|refraction index]] of the immersion medium or oil is known.  

Revision as of 23:56, 27 January 2013

Authors: Hans-Jürgen Schwarz, Anika Husen

back to Analysis of Salts

Abstract[edit]

The identification of salts with a polarized light microscope is briefly described, including the advantages and disadvantages of the method.

Introduction[edit]

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Magnesium sulfate crystallization under crossed polars and red I


Polarized light microscopy [Wuelfert:1999]Title: Der Blick ins Bild
Author: Wülfert, Stefan
Link to Google Scholar
[McCrone.etal:1984]Title: Polarized light microscopy
Author: McCrone, W. C.,; McCrone, L. B. ; Delly, J. G.
Link to Google Scholar
is used especially for the examination of anisotropic (birefringent) objects [1]. These microscopes differ from ordinary microscopes because they have a precisely centered rotating stage and the polarizing and analyzing filters. These are introduced into the light path (below and above the stage, respectively), so that the object can be observed under plane polarized light or under crossed polarizers. The first filter, referred to as the polarizer, is located in the light path beneath the sample slide. Through it the object is illuminated with linear, polarized light. The second filter, called the analyzer, is situated in the observation beam path, allowing the analysis of the linear polarized light modified by the object. When polarizer and the analyzer are "crossed" (referred to as crossed polars), it means that there is a 90° difference in the vibration plane of the light allowed through them. When no sample is present, or an isotropic material is in the beam path, no light will come through.

In polarized light microscopy the direct (orthoscopic) or indirect (conoscopic) approach can be applied. The orthoscopic approach is equivalent to ordinary microscopy. When the analyzer is switched on, anisotropic bodies appear. Depending on their orientation, thickness and the value of the birefringence,[2][3][4] anisotropic bodies appear in the interference color that corresponds to the path difference between the ordinary and extraordinary ray. The light refraction of salt minerals can be estimated relatively easily, when the refraction index of the immersion medium or oil is known.


A:In the orthoscopic light path (luke optical path) of older polarization microscopes the lens produces a vertically and laterally inverted intermediate picture of the thin section. This is further increased with the eyepiece (A-2). In modern polarization microscopes[5] the object is located in the lower focal plane of the lens, causing it to be reproduced to infinity. The real intermediate image, visible through the eyepiece (A-1) is produced by an additional lens in the tube (tube lens). By this display method a parallel beam path is created between the tube lens and the eyepiece, creating ideal conditions for an interference-free introduction of analyzers, compensators, or reflectors, and also allowing for a better aberration correction. B: In the conoscopic beam path (pupillary light pathway), the reproduction of parallel light beams of the light cone takes place in the upper focal plane of the lens. The developing interference image (in the case of anisotropic crystals) can be magnified with an Amici- Bertrand lens. If no Amici-Bertrand lens is present, the interference image can also be seen through a diopter that can be inserted into the tube instead of the eyepiece.[Raith.etal:2012]Title: Guide to Thin Section Microscopy, Second Edition
Author: Raith, Michael M.; Raase, Peter; Reinhardt, Jürgen
Link to Google Scholar

Conoscopic approach: By switching on an additional lens (Amici-Bertrand lens) or by removal of an eyepiece, the back focal plane of the objective is pictured in the intermediate image plane, seen through the eyepiece. While in the orthoscopic approach every image point corresponds to an object point, in the conoscopic approach every image point corresponds to a parallel beam of light. Therefore the image gives information about the directionality of the birefringence (as far as it can be detected by the aperture). Consequently, this method allows to determine whether a crystal is optically uniaxial or biaxial and whether it is optically positive or negative.

For a detailed description of microscopic mineral analysis see [McCrone.etal:1984]Title: Polarized light microscopy
Author: McCrone, W. C.,; McCrone, L. B. ; Delly, J. G.
Link to Google Scholar
or [Raith.etal:2012]Title: Guide to Thin Section Microscopy, Second Edition
Author: Raith, Michael M.; Raase, Peter; Reinhardt, Jürgen
Link to Google Scholar
[6].


Advantage:

Polarized light microscopy is a quick and convenient method for the identification of salts. The mineralogy and chemistry of salts is determined. Basic polarizing microscopes are portable and can be used in any location, hence sensitive salts can be identified on site.


Disadvantage:

Some salts are difficult to identify. Quantitative identification is not possible.

Weblinks[edit]

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