Advancedoptics:retardationand p interferencefigures

Retardation (path difference) depends on the degree of double refraction in a mineral section. Double f ti d D bl refraction depends on: d 1. The orientation of the mineral section with respect to its lattice. 2. The minerals birefringence. Birefringence in anisotropic minerals is maximised when the difference between the refractive indices is maximised. To view this maximum we must examine a crystal section in a specific orientation.

Uniaxial Minerals
Minerals with two or three equal crystal axes that lie in a plane perpendicular to an axis of a different length are all l di l t i f diff t l th ll UNIAXIAL. This, single axis, parallel to the crystallographic c axis is also called the minerals OPTIC AXIS. Which crystallographic systems are we talking about? When light is shone down the optic axis it behaves in the same manner as expected when interacting with an isotropic mineral. mineral
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When light is shone in any other direction, what happens? Something else happens S hi l h too when the calcite rhomb is rotated. On rotation, one dot remains stationary, stationary while the other rotates with the calcite. The stationary light vibrates in the basal plane and no matter the degree of rotation always travels the same distance in the same time this is the Ordinary (O) wave. y( ) The second beam, vibrating in the plane of the optic axis travels different distances depending on orientation. This is (the) Extraordinary (E) (behaviour) wave.

Uniaxial minerals are divided into those that are positive and negative. When ordinary wave, which travels an equal distance in all directions, has a greater velocity, the mineral is positive. When ordinary wave, which travels an equal distance in all directions, has a lower velocity, di i h l l i the mineral is negative.
The two light rays are indicative of two refractive indices in uniaxial crysals. Vibration along the O wave is designated (Omega) (Omega). Vibration along the E wave is designated (Epsilon)

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All light passing from the source, through the polariser, to the sample travels parallel to the vertical. This li ht h Thi light, when entering an t i anisotropic crystal with the special orientation optic axis parallel to direction of light propagation passes straight through and is not split in two. This mineral is extinct two when viewed down the microscope with the polarisers crossed. See earlier lecture.

Objective Obj ti lenses Sample Stage Lower Lens Diaphragm Polarizer

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When the condenser is inserted all the light is strongly converged and only some of the light enters parallel to th t the optic axis. ti i Therefore, only some of the light enters the crystal and passes straight through. All light that enters the crystal oblique to the optic axis is split into its mutually perpendicular vibration directions, and therefore is susceptible to the normal processes of retardation and birefringence.

Objective Obj ti lenses Sample Stage Condenser Lower Lens Diaphragm Polarizer

Identifying Uniaxial Crystals in Convergent Polarized Light.

More realistically, you identify a mineral grain with no, to minimal variation in birefringence (i.e. black in XPlrs), insert the sub-stage condenser, insert the Bertrand lens, use highest magnification, and open the diaphragm.

Off-centred uniaxial figures can also be used for identification purposes. The limbs should always be horizontal and vertical, even if the centre moves to edge of the field of view.

Optically +ve with tint plate

Optically -ve with tint plate

Biaxial Minerals
Minerals with the lowest symmetry and three crystal axes of unequal length, and in most cases one i t l l th d i t inter-axis angle 90 i l 90. So called because they have two directions in which light travels with zero birefringence (i.e. two OPTIC AXES).
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Which crystallographic systems are we talking about? Light Li h entering biaxial minerals is broken into two rays a i bi i l i l i b k i fast one and a slow one. However, both waves are extraordinary.

Biaxial minerals have three unequal crystal axes. Subsequently, these minerals have three refractive indice values i.e. each value of n is different. different Important: Unlike the crystallographic axes cr stallographic a es

the three optical directions are always at right angles

We represent the three optical directions by means of the biaxial indicatrix. indicatrix
The birefringence is maximum when a section is cut parallel to X and Z. Light travels parallel to Y.

C B A

The angle between the two OA is known as optic axial angle (2V).

When 2V is acute around X the mineral is negative.

When 2V is acute around Z the mineral is positive.

If the mineral is positive, Z is the acute bisectrix, and X the obtuse bisectrix. This is reversed for negative minerals.

The optic axes always lie in the XZ plane, which is called the optic axial plane (OAP)

What does the biaxial indicatrix look like?

Melatopes (M) mark the points of emergence of the optic axis.

Only light entering parallel to an optic axis passes without being split.

Each line represents an i h isochrome of f birefrengence Each extinguished line in the optical image is called an isogyre. ll d i

Looking down the c axis. If you have a crystal oriented so that you are looking straight y g p g y down the c axis you can measure 2V using simple geometry.

If you have a crystal oriented so that y are looking straight y y you g g down one of the optic axis i.e. you only have one isogyre in the field of view, it is still possible to estimate 2V.

2V = 0

2V = 90

Crystal System Isometric Tetragonal Hexagonal Orthorhombic Monoclinic Triclinic

Optical Class Isotropic Uniaxial

Axes n > (+) < (-) closer (+) closer (-)

# of optic axes Infinite 1 2

Biaxial

Isotropic Anisotropic Uniaxial positive Uniaxial negative Biaxial positive Biaxial negative

Opticaxis:perpendiculartothecircular direction Acutebisectrix(2V):anglelessthan90 between2opticaxesinbiaxialminerals Obtusebisectrix:bisectsthelargerangleina biaxialmineral bi i l i l