William Nicol invented a prism for polarization in 1829, which was an indispensable part of the polarizing microscope for over 100 years. Later the Nicol prisms were replaced by cheaper polarizing filters. The first complete polarizing microscope was built by Giovanni Battista Amici in 1830 .

When was the polarizing microscope invented and by who?

Nicol, William

Nicol used the double refraction properties of Iceland spar to produce polarized light in 1825 and in 1829 created an optical device called the Nicol prism, a precursor to the polarizing light microscope.

What is polarizing microscope used for?

The polarizing microscope is particularly useful in the study of birefringent materials such as crystals and strained non-crystalline substances. It is widely used for chemical microscopy and optical mineralogy. The current specimen is equipped with a quick change, centering nosepiece and a graduated, rotating stage.