Bulletin PS-0817

PS-100 Polarimeter / Polariscope Systems

FOR OBSERVATION AND MEASUREMENT OF RESIDUAL STRESS AND
BIREFRINGENCE
The PS-100 product line is modular to suit a wide variety
of applications in evaluating residual stress, strain and
birefringence in transparent and translucent materials.
Uses range from simple inspection and interpretation of
photoelastic colors to precise quantitative measurements
using analyzer rotation or compensation techniques.

 Verify annealing state of glass or plastic

containers, tubing, lenses, lamps, etc.
 Measure optical retardation in order to calculate
stress or birefringence using plane or circular
polarization
 Study distribution and magnitude of compressive
and tensile stresses in float glass, glass seals,
quartz, and advanced materials, as well as in
molded and sheet plastics
 Comply with worldwide polarimetry standards
and test methods, including ASTM C148, F218,
and D4093

PS-100 Polarimeters may be fitted with:

• Single-wedge (Babinet) or double-wedge
The PS-100 polarimeter is available in numerous (Babinet-Soleil) compensators
models. Each can be easily adapted with accessories
and special components to suit almost any application • A full-wave tint plate or monochromatic filter
(see next page for pictures of typical configurations).
• Microscopes with rack-and-pinion mounting and choice
PS-100-BS - the basic system, comprising a polarized of magnification options
illuminator with a 7.5 in x 7.5 in (190 mm x 190 mm)
sample stage, Senarmont analyzer mounted on a 12” • Industrial CCD cameras with macro-video zoom lenses
(300 mm) heavy-duty post, fluorescent tube light source for displaying magnified high-resolution images on LCD
and vertical light path. Plane polarization only. monitors, either stand-alone or via IEEE 1394 to PC

PS-100-SF – Same as PS-100-BS, but with both plane • A high-intensity, regulated DC fiberoptic light source,
and circular polarization and swing-out accessory mount adjustable from 0-150 W
for holding compensators or tint plates. (Pictured above)
• Vibration-dampening “boom stands” for samples under
PS-100-1011 – Analyzer is separate and mounted on a high magnification and cantilevered designs for out-
tripod for heavy or large samples. Illuminator field of sized samples
view is 10 in x 11 in (254 mm x 280 mm) Horizontal light
path. Available with either plane or circular polarization. • Strainoptics’ DIAS-1600 Digital Image Analysis System
for automatic measurement of low-order stress and
PS-100-LF – Same as above, but with illuminator field of birefringence
view of 16 in x 20 in (400 mm x 500 mm). Circular
polarization only. • Custom fixturing & immersion cells for special
geometries
Visit www.strainoptics.com for a complete product listing.
PS-100 Polarimeter / Polariscope Systems
Typical Configurations

PS-100-DIGIVIDEO with USB digital

camera, 6:1 zoom lens, SA-100 analyzer,
and imaging software. Also shown at right
are software-configured PC, an SWF-100-
LP wavelength filter, and a DWC-100
Babinet Soleil compensator (sold
separately).

PS-100-BS, Plane Polarization PS-100-SF, Plane & Circular PS-100-1011, Horizontal Light Path
Polarization (convertible) Plane or Circular Polarization (not both)

PS-100-LF, Horizontal Light Path PS-100-MW Polarizing Microscope DIAS-1600 Digital Stress Analyzer w/
Plane Polarization Only with Single-Wedge Compensator PS-100 Polarimeter & PC. PC loaded
And 70mm diameter sample stage with video frame grabber & IA software.
PS-100 Components and Accessories
Analyzers
With the exception of the PS-100-MW system (which features a fixed
analyzer/compensator design), Strainoptics polarimeters are equipped with a 115 mm
diameter, rotatable analyzer and precision quarter-wave plate, enabling measurement
using the “Analyzer Rotation” Method of stress measurement. The PS-100-BS models
(plane polarization) are supplied with an A-100 analyzer with a fixed quarter-wave plate.
The PS-100-SF models are supplied with an SA-100 analyzer with a two-position
quarter-wave plate that allows for analyzer rotation measurements using either plane
(Senarmont) or circular (Tardy) polarization.

A dual-scale dial offers a fractional fringe readout, graduated in 0.01 increments in addition to rotation angle (+90 to –90).
Measurement sensitivity is +/-5 nm of optical retardation.

Compensators
A compensator is a measuring device providing direct quantitative readout of stress birefringence. Placed in series with
the observed item, it adds an equal retardation of opposite sign to the specimen. This nulls the retardation causing a zero
order (black) fringe to appear at the point of measurement, at which time a reading can be taken from the compensator’s
calibrated scale or dial readout. This reading can then be used to easily calculate the optical retardation at the
measurement point. Compensators may also be used to identify the nature (tensile or compressive) and the direction of
stresses in the specimen. A calibration certificate is included with every compensator.

The Model LWC-100 is a single-wedge (Babinet), variable-field compensator

(0-2500 nm) that may be handheld or inserted into the Accessory Mount option on
the PS-100 polarimeter (Accessory mount is standard on the Model PS-100-SF.)
Sensitivity: 10 nm.

The Model DWC-100 is a double-wedge (Babinet Soleil) compensator

with a dial readout that features a uniform field of retardation that makes it
ideal for applications with high stress gradients. Requires Accessory
Mount. Standard range 2500 nm; with optional range extender: 5000 nm.
Sensitivity: 5 nm.

The Model MWA-100 is a single-wedge (Babinet), variable-field compensator that is most

often used with a polarizing microscope (PS-100-MW) for measurement of edge stresses
and laminar stresses (surface compression and mid-plane tension) in glass.
Sensitivity: 5 nm. Model MWA-100-HS is available for applications requiring higher
sensitivity (3-4 nm).

Accessories

There are many accessories available for the PS-100 line of polarimeters, ranging from
monochromatic filters (pictured at left) and full-wave tint plates to microscopes, micrometer
stages, and camera adapters. See www.strainoptics.com for a complete listing.

Strainoptics’ engineers are always .

Optional SWF-100-LP
“Swing-Out” Filter
available to discuss your specific
application in order to design a
system that is perfect for you.
Calibration and Certification
Each PS-100 polarimeter is factory calibrated and comes with a certificate of
traceable calibration according to ASTM Procedure C1426. Strainoptics
offers annual or periodic recalibration services as required. A certified CAL-
GAGE reference standard is also available to enable customers to self-
certify their instrument.

Testing and Training Services

Surface stress, edge stress, and other laboratory residual stress testing
services are available from Strainoptics using equipment and test methods in
accordance with ASTM and NIST standards. Strainoptics also provides
training programs free to customers at our facility in North Wales, PA, or on a
fee basis at a customer’s location.

Other Strainoptics Products

In addition to the PS-100 polarimeters, Strainoptics manufactures a complete range of manually operated and
PC-based instrumentation. These include on-line stress scanners for float glass production, GASP® surface
stress polarimeters, visual and automatic edge stress meters, specialized instruments for measuring stress
and light transmission in automotive glass, roller wave gauges for measuring reflective distortion in
architectural tempered glass, and simple strain viewers (polariscopes) for visual inspection using photoelastic
evaluation. Custom inquiries are always welcome. For more information, please visit our website or call.

GES-100 Edge Stress Meter RWG Roller-Wave Gauges UV Lamps

GASP Polarimeter

SCA1500 Float Line Stress Scanner VRP-100 Reflective Polarimeter PES-100 Edge Stress
Measurement System

Strainoptics  108 W. Montgomery Ave.  North Wales, PA 19454 USA

TEL: 215.661.0100  [email protected]  www.strainoptics.com 
© 2021 Strainoptics