Abstract

In the polarizing microscope set for extinction, only that image whose polarization has been altered is available to form an image. The lenses themselves introduce such an alternation by rotation of the plane of polarization of rays having oblique incidence. This paper shows that the diffraction image of a pinhole has the form sin2θ·J₃(r)/r, where θ and r are polar coordinates in the image plane. The image has four bright zones separated by a dark cross and the central pattern becomes a four-leaf clover form. The diffraction image of a point source through a plate of uniaxial crystal cut perpendicular to its optic axis (z-cut) is also a four-leaf clover when the polarizers are crossed. When the polarizers are parallel, the diffraction image becomes similar to that of an astigmatic system.

© 1959 Optical Society of America

Further Study on the Diffraction Images in the Polarizing Microscope

Hiroshi Kubota and Hiroyoshi Saito
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 50(10) 1020-1024 (1960)

Far-Field Diffraction and Boresight Error Properties of a Two-Dimensional Wedge*†

A. I. Mahan, C. V. Bitterli, and C. G. Wein
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 49(6) 535-556 (1959)

Projective Formulation of the Problems of Geometrical Optics. I. Theoretical Foundations

Enzo Cambi
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 49(1) 2-15 (1959)

On a Comparison between Wave Optics and Geometrical Optics by Using Fourier Analysis. III. Image Evaluation by Spot Diagram

Kenyō Miyamoto
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 49(1) 35-40 (1959)

Projective Formulation of the Problems of Geometrical Optics. II. The Design of a Centered Optical System

Enzo Cambi
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 49(1) 15-30 (1959)