Polariscope

P0LARISC0PE S. (from polarization; gr. skopeô, I examine). Phys. Device which allows the polarization phenomenon to be perceived, when occuring with a low intensity. The polariscope shown in our figure is made of a wooden base, on which a square glass plate (ab), whose bottom was painted in black, is placed; this is the polarizer. Two stands made of wood (cd) are fixed on each side of this glass plate at an angle of approximately 34°. A small plank (S) with a round hole in its center, for the polaristic objects to be placed, is fixed to the stands. The analyzer is made of a piece of wood which has been drilled through and fit with several concave-convex glasses. By placing the polariscopic object on the hole of the small plank and then turning the analyzer, the light falling on the polarizer will produce the polarization phenomenon.

Extract from the Trousset encyclopedia, 1886 – 1891.