Learning objectives
Mineral species identification in thin section
Prerequisites
Inorganic chemistry and general mineralogy knoweledge
Course unit content
Optical properties of minerals. General behaviour of light waves. Reflection and refraction. Double refraction. Birefringence. Mineralogy optical microscope. Measure of refractive indices. Orthoscopic observations with PPL and XPL. Interference colors; Michel-Levy table. Auxiliary lamina. Periodica extinction; right and inclined extinctions. Extinction signs. Conoscopic observations. Interference figures in uniaxial and biaxial crystals. Determination on the interference figures
Bibliography
Bonatti S., Franzini M., Cris tallografia mineralogica, BORINGHIERI, Torino. Carobbi G., ( Mazzi F., Bernardini
G.P.), Fondamenti di cris tallografia e ottica cris tallografica, USES, Firenze. Carobbi G., ( Cipriani, C., Garavelli
C.), Cris tallografia chimica e mineralogia s peciale, USES, Firenze. Deer W.A., Howie R.A., Zus sman J.,
Introduzione ai Minerali che cos tituis cono le Rocce, ZANICHELLI, Bologna. Gallitelli P., Elementi di Mineralogia,
NISTRI e LISCHI, Pis a. Gottardi G., I minerali, BORINGHIERI, Torino. Klein C., 2004. Mineralogia, Zanichelli,
Bologna Mottana A., Cres pi R., Liborio G., Minerali e rocce, MONDADORI, Milano.
Teaching methods
Theoretical introduction on crystallographic optics. Learning the usage of optical mineralogical microscope. Identification of the principal mineral species
Assessment methods and criteria
Written /practical exam on an optical microcoscope, with written report