Polarizing microscope
A polarizing microscope allows to image and characterize birefringent samples.
Polarizers are positioned above and below the sample. A birefringent sample modifies the polarized light, which makes it visible even when it is transparent. For certain samples, it also allows to determine the alignment’s direction of their molecules.
![](https://toutestquantique.fr/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/04/Polarisant-Jean-Claude-Rouillon-CNRS_20000001_1216.jpg)
Optical texture obtained using a polarizing microscope of a smectic phase of a non chiral product.
(JC Rouillon, Photothèque CNRS)