Publisher Summary This chapter presents the technique of polarized light microscopy of
spindles starting with the basic setup of the traditional polarized light microscope and ending
with state of the art in polarized light microscopy, the Pol-Scope. In addition to the
instrumentation, the chapter discusses the ways to improve sensitivity and achieve high
signal to noise ratios in recorded images. The chapter then describes the molecular origin of
spindle birefringence, including the distinction between form and intrinsic birefringence, and …