Polarized Crystals by Nino Gordeladze ningordeladze@gmail.com Rochester Institute of Technology 4th Year Imaging and Photograhic Technology Student

Preparing the Crystals

After exploring many different chemicals, eight were chosen that would crystallize. Some crystals either melted on the hot plate or needed to be dissolved in some solution to form crystals. Two methods were used to make crystals, through melting and through evaporation. For the melting process, a small piece of sample was placed on a microscope slide with a cover slip on top and placed on the hot plate. The cover slip allows the sample to be spread evenly when crystallize. Some samples melted instantaneously and others took a long time. After the sample melted, it was removed from the hot plate using metal grips and placed on a table to cool off and form a crystal. If samples did not melt, a small amount of tap water was added to the sample and dissolved. Next, one drop of the mixed solution was placed on the microscope slide and placed on the hot plate. When the hot plate evaporated the water the sample was removed and placed on the table to cool off. Finally, the sample was placed on the stage. The stage was adjusted up or down until the sample was in focus.

To find out more about the cross polarization and birefringence, please visit the following websites: Link 1 Link2

Equipment Set Up

Images

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