What Are the Components of a Polarized Light Microscope?
A typical polarized light microscope consists of several key components:
Polarizer: A filter that allows only light waves oscillating in a single plane to pass through. Analyzer: Another filter placed after the sample that allows only one plane of polarized light to pass through, enhancing contrast. Rotatable Stage: Allows the sample to be rotated to observe changes in birefringence. Compensators: Devices used to measure the phase shift caused by birefringent materials.