written by
Michael Davidson, Kenneth R. Spring, and Douglas B. Murphy
published by
the Olympus America, Inc. and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
This item is a tutorial for students of physics or optics on the topic of light polarization. It explores basic concepts, techniques in modern polarized light microscopy, historical perspectives, and applications for industrial use. Included are cross-sectional drawings of reflective and circular polarization and polarization of scattered sunlight.
This item is part of a larger collection of materials for students of introductory optics and microscopy developed by the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and Florida State University. See Related items on this page for a similar tutorial appropriate for non-science majors.
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/introphys/items/detail.cfm?ID=6763">Davidson, M, K. Spring, and D. Murphy. Introduction to Polarized Light. Center Valley: Olympus America, Inc., August 1, 2003.</a>
M. Davidson, K. Spring, and D. Murphy, (Olympus America, Inc., Center Valley, 1998), WWW Document, (http://www.microscopyu.com/techniques/polarized-light/introduction-to-polarized-light).
M. Davidson, K. Spring, and D. Murphy, Introduction to Polarized Light (Olympus America, Inc., Center Valley, 1998), <http://www.microscopyu.com/techniques/polarized-light/introduction-to-polarized-light>.
Davidson, M., Spring, K., & Murphy, D. (2003, August 1). Introduction to Polarized Light. Retrieved May 12, 2025, from Olympus America, Inc.: http://www.microscopyu.com/techniques/polarized-light/introduction-to-polarized-light
Davidson, M, K. Spring, and D. Murphy. Introduction to Polarized Light. Center Valley: Olympus America, Inc., August 1, 2003. http://www.microscopyu.com/techniques/polarized-light/introduction-to-polarized-light (accessed 12 May 2025).
Davidson, Michael, Kenneth R. Spring, and Douglas B. Murphy. Introduction to Polarized Light. Center Valley: Olympus America, Inc., 1998. 1 Aug. 2003. 12 May 2025 <http://www.microscopyu.com/techniques/polarized-light/introduction-to-polarized-light>.
@misc{
Author = "Michael Davidson and Kenneth R. Spring and Douglas B. Murphy",
Title = {Introduction to Polarized Light},
Publisher = {Olympus America, Inc.},
Volume = {2025},
Number = {12 May 2025},
Month = {August 1, 2003},
Year = {1998}
}
%A Michael Davidson %A Kenneth R. Spring %A Douglas B. Murphy %T Introduction to Polarized Light %D August 1, 2003 %I Olympus America, Inc. %C Center Valley %U http://www.microscopyu.com/techniques/polarized-light/introduction-to-polarized-light %O application/java
%0 Electronic Source %A Davidson, Michael %A Spring, Kenneth R. %A Murphy, Douglas B. %D August 1, 2003 %T Introduction to Polarized Light %I Olympus America, Inc. %V 2025 %N 12 May 2025 %8 August 1, 2003 %9 application/java %U http://www.microscopyu.com/techniques/polarized-light/introduction-to-polarized-light
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This item is a full tutorial on the polarized light microscope, its history, and the applications of its use. Links are provided to a variety of interactive Java applets which simulate the use of this type of microscopy.
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