ABSTRACT
This Chapter summarizes the theoretical basis and the practical aspects of polarization microscopy. The oscillating electric field of linearly polarized light—generated by a polarizer—interacts with the valence electrons of anisotropic, birefringent, double refracting material. From qualitative and quantitative analysis of birefringence and dichroism, information can be indirectly obtained about the spatial orientation of asymmetrical submicroscopic constituents of the specimen. A Polaroid containing highly oriented dichroic particles which transmit light with only one plane of vibration. Optically anisotropic materials influence the state of polarization of the illuminating light because their structure is characterized by anisometric submicroscopic particles oriented in two or three preferential directions. Birefringence or double refraction is an intrinsic property of a material, and is a modification of polarized light by a structurally and optically anisotropic material. Analyzer and compensator are removed, and the dichroism of the stained structure is investigated by turning the polarizer or the stage in one direction.
