polarimeter
Datecirca 1875
Inventory Number2003
ClassificationPolarimeter
Subject
User
Department of Geology and Geography, Harvard University
1890 - 1961
Maker
Louis Jules Duboscq
French, 1817 - 1886
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions48 × 21.5 × 38.3 cm (18 7/8 × 8 7/16 × 15 1/16 in.)
Material
Bibliography
DescriptionA tripod stand on a telescopic rod supports a track. The latter can be inclined by a wingnut screw. Fixed on the track are two large brass rings that can move along it. Tightening screws underneath each ring were used to secure them in place during an experiment. One of them (close to the light source) has no optical element but is equipped with a wheel diaphragm. The other has a telescopic eyepiece equipped with a Nicol prism, but no lens. In between these two sections is an articulated forceps clamp designed to hold a crystal sample. Besides it is a light condenser. Both move together on the track.
Other accessories (such as those found in 1997-1-1477a) could be added to this polarimeter.
The number "22" handwritten on small piece of paper has been glued on the instrument in several places.
Other accessories (such as those found in 1997-1-1477a) could be added to this polarimeter.
The number "22" handwritten on small piece of paper has been glued on the instrument in several places.
Signedon tube, script: J. Duboscq / à Paris
FunctionUsed with a box of accessories (such as 1997-1-1477a) this polarimeter could perform several type of experiments with polarized light, such as white polarization (with the black mirrors); Arago's experiment with chromatic polarization; crystal polarization; spectra of all sorts; experiments with liquid solutions using a saccharimeter tube; etc. The light source had to be powerful, and was thus provided by a lantern projector like the ones mentioned in the related section of this entry.
For the original description of this instrument, see the Duboscq trade catalogue at the following website.
For the original description of this instrument, see the Duboscq trade catalogue at the following website.
ProvenanceFrom the Department of Geology and Geography (mineralogy), Harvard University.
Félix Marie Pellin
Date: circa 1930
Object number: 1996-1-0365b
Louis Jules Duboscq
Date: 1860-1880
Object number: 1996-1-0703b
Andrew Pritchard
Date: 1835-1840
Accessories: objectives (4); oculars (6); lieberkühns (4); stage forceps; bull's eye condenser on stand; spring stage; extra mechanical stage; polarizer; cup diaphragms and holders; substage fork mount; live box; glass troughs (2); concave glass; fish tube holder; case; 2 keys. See also slide micrometers (2) (1088b,c)
Object number: 1088a
Louis Jules Duboscq
Date: circa 1875
Object number: 1997-1-1477a
Fabre et Cie
Date: circa 1856
Object number: 5470
Hammond Typewriter Company
Date: circa 1923
Accessories: four Hammond type shuttles for different type faces, each with a wooden storage box; four laminated paper rectangles with symbol placement guide; instruction book, instruction sheets, advertisements, and correspondence (in object file)
Object number: 1996-1-0373
