Optical Mineralogy Part 1 - Plane and Cross Polarized Light, Birefringence, Pleochroism

Explore the fundamentals of optical mineralogy in this comprehensive 28-minute video tutorial. Learn about light behavior in thin sections, including retardation and refraction. Discover how to determine a mineral's refractive index using relief and Becke lines. Understand the differences between plane and cross-polarized light in petrographic microscopes. Examine birefringence, interference colors, and their relationship to mineral properties. Study extinction angles, pleochroism, and the use of accessory plates. Gain practical skills in mineral identification using optical properties and charts. Perfect for geology students and enthusiasts looking to enhance their understanding of mineral analysis under the microscope.

light traveling through minerals
refractive index R.I.
plane & cross polarized light
isotropic vs. anisotropic minerals
birefringence & interference colors
orders of interference colors
accessory plates
extinction
extinction angles
length fast vs. length slow minerals
pleochroism
mineral identification chart
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