Microstructure, texture, colour, and feature geometry
bright-field, dark-field, polarised, DIC, or fluorescence contrast
Material Analysis · Microscopy & Imaging
Polarised Light Microscopy / Petrography (PLM)
Characterise microstructure, texture, colour, and feature geometry, surface height or optical section position, and grain, phase, inclusion, or damage distribution using a scope agreed around your sample and decision.
- Price
- from£75 per sample, excl. VAT
- Turnaround
- 7 working days Preparation and scope dependent
- Available platforms
- ZEISS Axio Imager 2Evident BX53M
- Typical outputs
- Stitched or focus-stacked micrographsFeature-size, area-fraction, or layer-thickness measurementsAnnotated representative fieldsMethod-specific images
Why this test
What PLM can help you understand
Polarised Light Microscopy / Petrography is selected when the project needs defensible information on microstructure, texture, colour, and feature geometry, surface height or optical section position, or grain, phase,…
Surface height or optical section position
confocal height imaging
Grain, phase, inclusion, or damage distribution
automated image analysis
Choose the scope
Start from the question, not the instrument
The measurement mode, preparation route and reporting depth depend on what you need to learn from the sample.
Bright-field, dark-field, polarised, DIC, or fluorescence contrast
microstructure, texture, colour, and feature geometry
- Best used when
- microstructure, texture, colour, and feature geometry
- Typical result
- Stitched or focus-stacked micrographs
- Preparation note
- State the substrate, nominal thickness and whether sectioning or mounting is permitted.
Confocal height imaging
surface height or optical section position
- Best used when
- surface height or optical section position
- Typical result
- Feature-size, area-fraction, or layer-thickness measurements
- Preparation note
- State the fibre type, orientation and whether cutting, bundling or mounting is acceptable.
Automated image analysis
grain, phase, inclusion, or damage distribution
- Best used when
- grain, phase, inclusion, or damage distribution
- Typical result
- Annotated representative fields
- Preparation note
- Confirm the applicable standard, dimensions, loading direction and number of replicates.
Common outputs
A result package matched to the decision you need to make
Fields, measurement conditions, processing and file formats are confirmed before work begins.
Stitched or focus-stacked micrographs reported with the agreed units, sample reference and measurement conditions.
Feature-size, area-fraction, or layer-thickness measurements supplied in a labelled format suitable for direct sample or condition comparison.
Annotated representative fields provided with the processing basis and quality checks agreed during technical review.
Method-specific images included when selected in the confirmed reporting scope.
Sample requirements
What to send
Provide representative, clearly labelled samples and identify the region, feature or comparison that matters.
| Suitable sample or input | Submission requirement | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Film / coating | Provide the coated substrate or a flat film with the test surface and coating side clearly marked. | State the substrate, nominal thickness and whether sectioning or mounting is permitted. |
| Fibre / textile | Provide clean, dry fibres or a representative textile section in protective packaging. | State the fibre type, orientation and whether cutting, bundling or mounting is acceptable. |
| Test coupon / specimen | Provide labelled specimens prepared to the agreed geometry, orientation and surface condition. | Confirm the applicable standard, dimensions, loading direction and number of replicates. |
| Device / assembly | Provide a complete labelled device or assembly with drawings, interfaces and operating limits. | Confirm power, connections, operating state, access restrictions and permitted disassembly. |
Region of interest: include a marked image, sketch or reference when the target feature is localised.
Handling: declare hazardous, magnetic, volatile, moisture-sensitive, beam-sensitive or temperature-controlled material before dispatch.
Questions and answers
Common planning decisions
Short answers to issues that can change preparation, scope or interpretation.
What should I send for Polarised Light Microscopy / Petrography?
Provide film / coating, fibre / textile, test coupon / specimen, device / assembly as applicable. Exact quantity, dimensions and preparation are confirmed during technical review.
Which analysis option should I choose?
The final method, preparation and reporting scope are confirmed after the sample and project objective have been reviewed.
How long will the test take?
Typical turnaround is 7 working days after sample acceptance and method confirmation.
What can limit the result?
Resolution is diffraction-limited and contrast depends strongly on preparation. Subsurface information requires optical sectioning in transparent samples or destructive sectioning.
Configure the service
Send the information needed to scope PLM correctly
- Sample form, material, dimensions and quantity
- Feature or decision the result must address
- Marked region of interest where relevant
- Required comparison, output and reporting depth