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Get Optimal Results

You need a few components to get what you aim for in polarization. These are the most important:

  • Strain-free optics, because you need to be sure that the observed birefringence results from the sample and not from the optics
  • LED illumination is crucial, because it lights the samples homogenously and at a constant color temperature
  • Polarizers will make birefringence visible and a rotatable stage enables you to align the sample and optical axis
  • You need a Bertrand lens for conoscopic observation of the optical axis and compensators for measurement tasks

Learn more about polarization microscopy on Science Lab.

Left: Nylon fibers imaged with parallel polarizers. Right: Same nylon fibers imaged with crossed polarizers show typical higher order birefringence colors. Images recorded with a DM4 P microscope using transmitted light, 20x Plan Fluotar objective, and polarizers.
Left: Nylon fibers imaged with parallel polarizers. Right: Same nylon fibers imaged with crossed polarizers show typical higher order birefringence colors. Images recorded with a DM4 P microscope using transmitted light, 20x Plan Fluotar objective, and polarizers.

There will be Light!

LED illumination saves you money in many ways: It consumes less energy than halogen illumination, and does not need to be replaced, causing downtime of your instrument, because it has a lifetime of up to 25,000 hours. Further advantages:

  • LED lights your samples homogeneously and at a constant color temperature, providing you with a realistic impression of your sample
  • LED adjusts light intensity fast so you can work smoothly
  • LED requires no daylight filter since the LED already provides constant light temperature of 4500 K
  • LED produces little heat, and therefore  does not need a cooling fan
  • LED lets you work undisturbed, because no cooling fan makes a noise around you
LED illumination
LED illumination

Best of Both Illuminations

You can configure the Leica DM4 P with LED illumination either for transmitted light or incident light or with LED for both transmitted light an incident light in one go.

  • Incident light is mandatory for all who perform reflectivity measurements, for example looking at ores or coal.
  • Transmitted light is required for birefringence measurements, for example in inspection of geological thin sections, polymer foils, or drugs.
  • For specific applications such as in geological research, both are necessary.

When the microscope is equipped for both incident and transmitted light, the associated objective, that is with or without cover glass correction, should be used from magnification >10x.

Radially grown sugar crystals imaged with circular polarized light. Image recorded with a DM4 P microscope using transmitted light, 10x Plan Fluotar objective, and polarizers.
Radially grown sugar crystals imaged with circular polarized light. Image recorded with a DM4 P microscope using transmitted light, 10x Plan Fluotar objective, and polarizers.

Get your Nosepiece Around it!

Get different sample information from different magnifications of the 6-objective nosepiece.

  • Use a 2.5x overview objective to identify macro structures in your sample
  • Change to 63x magnification for detailed investigations of optical properties by means of conoscopy
  • Switch to 100x to inspect phase reactions along grain boundaries

By the way: The nosepiece is also coded, so that it supports you intelligently.

6-objective nosepiece
6-objective nosepiece

Investigate Optical Properties

Conoscopy is used to investigate interference figures. Their shape and the modifcation achieved by compensators yields information about the optical properties of the investigated material. You can determine the number of optical axis, the angle(s) of optical axis and the optical character of the material.

Conoscopic image of Brookit, TiO2, with strong dispersion colors
Uni-axial interference figure of thick calcite plate, perpendicular to optical axis
Bi-axial interference figure of thin biotite crystal in diagonal position at circular polarized light. Position of optical axis can be clearly identified
Conoscopic image of Brookit, TiO2, with strong dispersion colors
Uni-axial interference figure of thick calcite plate, perpendicular to optical axis
Bi-axial interference figure of thin biotite crystal in diagonal position at circular polarized light. Position of optical axis can be clearly identified

The Leica DM4 P is ideally suited to conoscopy

  • Strain-free objectives with high magnification and high numerical aperture are a must for this application.
  • Use special 63x Leica objectives that fulfill the highest requirements of polarization class 5 to obtain optimal results.

Images recorded with a DM4 P microscope using transmitted light, conoscopy, 63x N Plan objective, and polarizers

Conoscopic image of calcite with circular polarized light. The position of the optical axis can be clearly determined with circular polarization Conoscopic image of the same calcite sample with linear polarized light. The calcite section is perpendicular to the optical axis

Three different systems for polarization microscopy

Your choice

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Depending on your application, you can choose from three different systems for polarization microscopy

  • The fully coded and semi-automated Leica DM4 P
  • The manual Leica DM2700 P
  • The Leica DM750 P educational microscope
Leica DM4 P, DM2700 P & DM750 P Polarization Microscopes
Leica DM4 P, DM2700 P & DM750 P Polarization Microscopes

1 Leica DM4 P

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Your choice: Leica DM4 P

Flexible according to your tasks, safe and easy in operation through coded functionalities for research, inexperienced operators, or multiple-user environments

  • Coded 6-fold centerable nosepiece
  • Illumination and contrast management for reproducible results
  • Coded conoscopy with 1.6x magnification changer
  • LED illumination
  • Status display
  • 360° rotating stage with and without 45°click stop
  • Strain-free optics
  • Broad range of polarization equipment
  • Fixed and variable compensators according to DIN 58879

2 Leica DM2700 P

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Your choice: Leica DM2700 P

The robust stand and intuitive functionality are the keys to successfully fulfill routine and advanced task on a daily basis.

  • High modularity
  • UC-3D illumination
  • Color-coded diaphragm assistant
  • 5-fold centerable nosepiece
  • 2- or 3-gear focus drive
  • Upper focus stop
  • LED illumination
  • Broad range of conoscopy modules
  • Strain-free optics
  • 360° rotating stage with and without 45°click stop
  • Broad range of polarization equipment
  • Fixed and variable compensators according to DIN 58879

3 Leica DM750 P

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Your choice: Leica DM750 P

It’s practical, flexible, robust and makes learning fun!

  • Integrated handle and cord wrap for easy storage
  • Integrated storage positions for 2 compensators and objective centering tools for easy access
  • Large 178-mm rotating stage for easy viewing of the stage markings
  • Laser-engraved stage markings for long-time use
  • 4 individually centerable objective positions for rotating the specimen on center

Completely at Your Service: Leica DM4 P

If you want to do everything in polarization microscopy, you can with the Leica DM4 P.

Store and recall information with coded components

  • When you change objectives, illumination intensity and aperture settings are recalled with the Illumination Intensity Control and Contrast Manager.
  • Acquired images are always calibrated due to the coded nosepiece.

Identify interesting structures

  • With the large 25-mm field of view you get a perfect overview.
  • A lower magnification rather than the detailed view often reveals the specific information you need - just think of flow or deformation structures or zonation by cooling processes.
Leica DM4 P Polarization Microscope
Leica DM4 P Polarization Microscope

Great Flexibility: Leica DM2700 P

If you do not need full automation and maximum reproducibility, the Leica DM2700 P is your instrument of choice. Apart from the automation, it offers a flexibility which is similar to the Leica DM4 P.

  • Get distinct sample information with 5 objectives on the 5-fold centerable objective revolver
  • Get large overviews from the 22-mm field of view
  • Obtain a better contrast with UC-3D illumination at incident light observation
Leica DM2700 P Polarization Microscope
Leica DM2700 P Polarization Microscope

The Champion in Education: Leica DM750 P

In education you need a robust tool that students can use every day. You can easily plug and play it – that’s what we call best preconditions for successful learning.

  • Get into the details of your samples with 4 objectives
  • Use the 20-mm field of view for a good overview
  • Enjoy the practical details the instrument offers: You can carry it by its handle and stow away its cable inside the instrument
Leica DM750 P with Flexacam i5 and laptop
Leica DM750 P with Flexacam i5 and laptop
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