A petrographic microscope is a type of optical microscope used in petrology and optical mineralogy to identify rocks and minerals in thin sections. The microscope is used in optical mineralogy and petrography, a branch of petrology which focuses on detailed descriptions of rocks. The method is called "polarized light microscopy" (PLM). Depending on the grade of observation required, petrological microscopes are derived from conventional brightfield microscopes of similar basic capabilities by:
Petrographic microscopes are constructed with optical parts that do not add unwanted polarizing effects due to strained glass, or polarization by reflection in prisms and mirrors. These special parts add to the cost and complexity of the microscope. However, a "simple polarizing" microscope is easily made by adding inexpensive polarizing filters to a standard biological microscope, often with one in a filter holder beneath the condenser, and a second inserted beneath the head or eyepiece. These might be sufficient for many non-quantitative purposes.
The two filters of the petrographic microscope have their polarizing planes oriented perpendicular to one another. When only an isotropic material such as air, water, or glass exists between the filters, all light is blocked. However, most crystalline materials and minerals change the polarizing light directions, which allows some of the altered light to pass through the analyzer to the viewer. Using one polarizer allows for looking at the slide in plane polarized light, while using two allows for analysis under cross polarized light. A particular light pattern on the upper lens surface of the objectives is created as an conoscopic interference pattern characteristic of uniaxial and biaxial minerals, and produced with convergent polarized light. To observe the interference figure, true petrographic microscopes usually include an accessory called a Bertrand lens, which focuses and enlarges the figure. It is also possible to remove an eyepiece lens to make a direct observation of the objective lens surface.
In addition to modifications of the microscope's optical system, petrographic microscopes allow for the insertion of specially-cut oriented filters of biaxial minerals (named the Quartz Wedge, quarter-wave mica plate and half-wave mica plate), into the optical train between the polarizers to identify positive and negative birefringence, and in extreme cases, the mineral order when needed.
