polarimeter stand
Datecirca 1875
Inventory Number1997-1-1477b
ClassificationPolarimeter
Subject
Maker
Louis Jules Duboscq
French, 1817 - 1886
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions48 x 32.1 x 13.5 cm (18 7/8 x 12 5/8 x 5 5/16 in.)
Material
Bibliography
DescriptionA round stand on a telescopic rod supports a track. The latter can be inclined by a wingnut screw. Fixed on the track are 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 has no optical element, the other contains a magnifying lens. Accessories from 1997-1-1477a were added to this instrument stand.
Dot of white paint indicates that this stand was used at Radcliffe College.
Dot of white paint indicates that this stand was used at Radcliffe College.
Signedon supporting track, script: Mon Jules Duboscq à Paris
Curatorial RemarksA booklet by Duboscq & Pellin entitled "Appareil de projection dans la lumière polarisée" (1875) was found inside the accessory kit (1997-1-1477a). It is now in the CHSI library (Lib.5555). It describes how these parts had to be mounted on the polarimeter in order to demonstrate various properties of polarized light. It comes from the physics laboratory of Radcliffe College, where this instrument was used.
FunctionUsed with the box of accessories (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 Radcliffe College.
Department of Geology and Geography, Harvard University
Date: circa 1875
Object number: 2003
Louis Jules Duboscq
Date: 1860-1880
Object number: 1996-1-0703b
Louis Jules Duboscq
Date: circa 1875
Object number: 1997-1-1477a
Louis Jules Duboscq
Date: 1860-1880
Accessories: mirrors (2) (separately cataloged as 1996-1-0699c and 1996-1-0700); compensator (1996-1-0703a)
Object number: 1996-1-0699a
