Minerals in Thin Sections

About this book

This is the second edition of a concise, straightforward, and balanced presentation of the theory and techniques of optical mineralogy. Designed for students to have on hand in the laboratory, this manual includes data and photos for all major igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary minerals.

Contents

Preface. About the Authors. I. THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS. What Is Light? Polarization of Light and the Polarizing Microscope. The Velocity of Light in Crystals and the Refractive Index. Interaction of Light and Crystals. Other Mineral Characteristics in Thin Sections. II. IDENTIFYING MINERALS IN THIN SECTION. Detailed Mineral Description. Appendix A: Common Opaque Minerals. Appendix B: Isotropic Minerals Ordered by Refractive Index. Appendix C: Uniaxial Minerals Sorted by Optic Sign and Ordered by Refractive Index. Appendix D: Biaxial Minerals Sorted by Optic Sign and Ordered by Refractive Index. Appendix E: Minerals Ordered by Interference Colors and Sorted by Optic System and Optic Sign. Appendix F: Alphabetical List of Minerals and Mineral Properties. Color Photographs. Mineral Index.

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Biography

Dr. Dexter Perkins received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1979. He has published over 80 papers and three books. He has had research appointments at the University of Chicago and the Universite Blaise Pascal and has been a regular faculty member in the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at the University of North Dakota for 18 years. His current research is focused on mineral equilibria and science education reform. Dr. Kevin R. Henke received his Ph.D. in geology from the University of North Dakota in 1997. He has had research and postdoctoral appointments at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, North Dakota State University, The University of North Dakota, and the University of Kentucky. Currently he is researching the chemistry of mercury, cadmium, barium, and other heavy metal organometallic compounds.