Book Description

Mineral optics is an essential tool for identification of minerals mostly in thin sections by standard petrological microscope. However, ore minerals and opaque ones are studied in polished sections in reflected microscopy. Mineral optics in its theoretical approach enriches the students to understand the basics of nature of light, optical properties of minerals under various arrangements and settings of microscope and crystallography. These theoretical aspects can address the practical problems in identifying the minerals. During my last twelve years' continuous teaching of 'mineral optics' I have observed the unexpressed doubts and suspicions in many students regarding their foundations in the subject. Also, I have received discontentment in many areas of the subject more often while explaining to students. Many a times, my students had been complaining and demanding me to write a book on fundamentals of mineral optics. Their instigating requirement and an endeavour of mine at last succeeded in bringing out this book, though in too late. I took lot of time in drawing the entire figures myself in simple way and in accordance with the subject material for better understanding of the students. The book comprises seven chapters covering the basics and fundamentals in mineral optics. Starting from the nature of light, the book includes details of polarizing microscope, various optical properties, uniaxial, biaxial minerals, their indicatrix, interference colour and interference figures, which have been described in very simple and lucid manner. Moreover, the book provides some spaces for discussing some model question- answers and laboratory practices, which will immensely helpful for students at all levels. The whole aim of writing this book is to provide the students a clear understanding in mineral optics, which they lack in course of their study. I am thankful to my colleagues, friends and students for their good wishes and inspiration in writing this book. I am very much thankful to my family members for their continuous helps and cooperation in completing this book. I am thankful to Sara Book Publication for making all efforts for timely publication of this book.