APPLYING THE SCIENCE 5.1 Glass Analysis and Refractive index

Applying the Science 5.1 Glass Analysis and Refractive Index 

One of best illustrations of how polarized li t interacts with solid samples is found in the forensic analysis of glass. As shown in the figure, polarized li t is not altered by an isotropic substance such as gjass, and under crossed polars, the field 

Source Koons, R. D, et al. Forensic Glass Comparisons, Saddle River, NJ Prentice Hall, 2002. 

The numerical difference of the two refractive indices (parallel and perpendicular) is called birefringence (abbreviated B or Bi). Materials with low 

Many other optical and crystalline properties are measured and explored with PLM. The interested reader is directed to any of the references listed at the end of the chapter for more information. One website deserves special mention Nikon s Microscopy University (www.microscopyu.org). This site is a wonderful resource for learning about microscopes and microscopy and includes excellent figures and tutorials. 

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