Buyer's guide

docs/README.md

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # Welcome to `recOrder`'s documentation
 
+**I want to buy hardware for a polarized-light installation:** start with the [buyers guide](./buyers-guide.md).
+
 **I would like to install `recOrder` on my microscope:** start with the [microscope installation guide](./microscope-installation-guide.md).
 
 **I would like to use the `napari plugin`:** start with the [plugin guide](./napari-plugin-guide.md).

docs/buyers-guide.md

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+# Buyer's Guide
+
+## Quantitative phase imaging:
+
+You can use a transmitted light source (LED or a lamp) and a condenser commonly available on almost all microscopes. In addition to the transmitted light imaging path, you will need a motorized stage for acquiring through-focus image stacks. 
+
+## Quantitative polarization imaging (PolScope):
+
+The following list of components assumes that you already have a transmitted light source (LED or a lamp) and a condenser. 
+
+Buyers have two options:
+1. buy a complete hardware kit from the OpenPolScope project, or
+2. assemble your own kit piece by piece. 
+
+### Buy a kit from the OpenPolScope project
+
+- Read about the [OpenPolScope Hardware Kit](https://openpolscope.org/pages/OPS_Hardware.htm).
+- Complete the [OpenPolScope information request form](https://openpolscope.org/pages/Info_Request_Form.htm).
+
+### Buy individual components
+
+The components are listed in the order in which they process light. See the build video here to see how to assemble these components on your microscope. 
+
+https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a0a8bffb-bf81-4401-9ace-3b4955436b57
+
+| Part                     | Approximate Price | Notes                       |
+|--------------------------|-------------------|-----------------------------|
+| Illumination filter | $200 | We suggest [a Thorlabs CWL = 530 nm, FWHM = 10 nm notch filter](https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=FBH530-10).|
+| Circular polarizer | $350 | We suggest [a Thorlabs 532 nm, left-hand circular polarizer](https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=CP1L532).|
+| Liquid crystal compensator | $6,000 | Meadowlark optics LVR-42x52mm-VIS-ASSY. Although near-variants are listed in the [Meadowlowlark catalog](https://www.meadowlark.com/product/liquid-crystal-variable-retarder/), this is a custom part with two liquid crystals in a custom housing. [Contact Meadowlark](https://www.meadowlark.com/contact-us/) for a quote.|
+| Liquid crystal control electronics | $2,000 | [Meadowlark optics D5020-20V](https://www.meadowlark.com/product/liquid-crystal-digital-interface-controller/). Choose the high-voltage 20V version. 
+| Liquid crystal adapter | $25-$500 | A 3D printed part that aligns the liquid crystal compensator in a microscope stand's illumination path. Check for your stand among the [OpenPolScope `.stl` files](https://github.com/amitabhverma/Microscope-LC-adapters/tree/main/stl_files) or [contact us](compmicro@czbiohub.org) for more options.|
+| Circular analyzer (opposite handedness) | $350 | We suggest [a Thorlabs 532 nm, right-hand circular polarizer](https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=CP1R532).|
+
+If you need help selecting or assembling the components, please start an issue on this GitHub repository or contact us at compmicro@czbiohub.org.
+
+## Quantitative phase and polarization imaging (QLIPP):
+
+Combining the Z-stage and the PolScope components listed above enables joint phase and polarization imaging with `recOrder`.