3.3 Using the Polarizer
Polarizer
For certain specimens, the use of polarized
light will enhance the contrast and facilitate
viewing of difficult to see object features.
The polarizing filter is engaged by dropping
it into one of the filter slots located along
the top of the illuminator tube as shown in
the drawing below.
Slide-In Analyzer
The analyzer is mounted in a slider which is located right
below the viewing head as shown. It can be inserted or
withdrawn from the optical path by grabbing the chrome
knob and sliding it east-west in its slot.
The lever on the side rotates the filter between 0 and 90
degrees as shown at right.
With the polarizing filter in place and the analyzer
engaged and the lever set at 45 degrees, the polarizing
elements are said to be “crossed” and the field of view
will become darker or “extinguished”.
In this condition, the field of view is dark except for the optically active elements within
the field which become visible against the dark background.
