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.