This practice covers the standards for the verification and calibration of polarimeters required to maintain these instruments and ensure that the optical setup is within specification for satisfactory measurements. Verification and calibration procedures are performed using two types of procedures: Procedure A (verification) and Procedure B (calibration). Procedure A is done by measuring individual components and their orientation to ensure that they comply accordingly. Procedure B is done by determining the accuracy of the polarimeter using a calibrated gage or retarder.

1.1 Polarimeters of polariscopes used for measuring stress in glass are described in Test Methods F218, C148, and C978. These instruments include a light source and several optical elements (polarizers, optical retarders, filters, and so forth) that require occasional cleaning, realigning, and calibration. The objective of these practices is to describe the calibration and verification procedures required to maintain these instruments in calibration and ensure that the optical setup is within specification for satisfactory measurements.

1.2 It is mandatory throughout these practices that both verification and calibration are carried out by qualified personnel who fully understand the concepts used in measurements of stress retardation and are experienced in the practices of measuring procedures described in Test Methods F218, C148, and C978.