Nature of light, reflection and refraction of light, index of refraction, optically isotropic and anisotropic crystals, birefringence, optical indicatrix, polarisation of light, polarisation microscope, thin sections. Orthoscopic examinations without analyser: index of refraction, relief, Becke line, pseudoabsorption, colour, pleochroism. Orthoscopic examinations with analyser: extinction (parallel, symmetrical, inclined), interference colours, determination of vibration direction of polariser, accessory plates, determination of vibration directions for slow and fast wave, sign of elongation. Conoscopic examinations: interference figures for uniaxial and biaxial crystals, optic sign, determination of optic angle, optic axes angle dispersion. Optical properties of isotropic minerals: spinel, garnet, leucite. Optical properties of uniaxial anisotropic minerals: quartz, calcite, turmaline. Optical properties of biaxial anisotropic minerals: olivine and serpentine. Optical properties of biaxial anisotropic minerals: ortho- and clinopiroxene. Optical properties of biaxial anisotropic minerals: amphibole (tremolite-actinolite series, hornblende, glaucophane). Optical properties of biaxial anisotropic minerals: mica (muscovite and biotite). Optical properties of biaxial anisotropic minerals: alkali feldspar (sanidine, orthoclase, microcline). Optical properties of biaxial anisotropic minerals: plagioclase. Optical properties of biaxial anisotropic minerals: chlorite, epidote. Optical properties of biaxial anisotropic minerals: gypsum and anhydrite. Optical properties of opaque minerals.
Learning outcomes:
Knowledge and understanding of the optical properties of minerals in order to indentify them in an unknown sample.
Basic knowledge and understanding of genesis and alteration of minerals, and how they reflect to optical properties of minerals.
Ability to recognize common petrogenic minerals.
Ability to work with polarizing microscope.
Ability to recognize unknown minerals independently by using relevant literature.
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